sport bike street bike question about speed wobble tank slapping ect..?

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Raymond

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how do you avoid tank slapping on a bike. i have a cbr 600 and im terrified that its gonna happen one day i often go 120 plus. i also raced motocross and it happened to me once on my cr 125 and i got pretty hurt. should i ad a stabalizer? damper? and what to do if it happens. thanks for any help hopefully get some veterans to answer.
 
A stabilizer will help but the best remedy is to outfit the bike with top dollar rubber and keep them at the proper inflation.
How fast you ride is your business but learning the correct balance between front and rear pressure of not only the inflation but also the 'contact patch' of your tires to the pavement is of great importance.
Too little weight on the front patch is the primary source of wobble or head shake. You need to slightly shift your weight forward but not by bending forward but by 're-positationing'.
I have had a few head shake problems dirt racing desert at high speed (luck or skill) I didn't crash but I've never had head shake on my Triumph Tiger and often have it in the three digit range. (it maxes out at around 145, the frigging snail. ;} )
 
You might check the adjustment on the head bearings. Simple enough to do. These need occasional service/ maintenance like everything else on a motorbike. Ignoring this will put you in danger of tank-slappers or worse. The best steering damper made will only mask the symptoms.

Stay on top of safety maintenance and the only worries you'll have at 120 mph is a blowout, a speck of something on the road, or a state trooper.
 
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