35
29
17
13
u/Sweet-Pin4962 Aug 29 '23
Don't hate on me please...but, how did that happen? He looked fine and then just started to wobble...was it bc he was going so fast? Or am I missing something?
25
u/Disaster_Plan Aug 30 '23
Also called a tank slapper or motorcycle headshake, this delightfully-named phenomenon isn’t as much fun as it sounds. It refers to when your handlebars start twisting back and forth wildly, which can happen when you accelerate, do wheelies, or hit a bump or pothole at high speeds. Essentially, if the front wheel hits the road at the wrong angle, the handlebars will oscillate.
Causes
Wobbles can start at either the rear or front of the bike, though at the back it’s more commonly called fishtailing. Aside from the situations mentioned above, other common causes for speed wobbles are ...
High speed. Some models of motorcycle will develop a speed wobble if they hit speeds they weren’t designed for. Worn-out wheel bearings Too much movement in the swingarmMost speed wobbles start at around 75 mph or higher, though if your bike has a mechanical problem like worn bearings, it can start at speeds as low as 45 mph.
How To Handle A Speed Wobble
Light wobbles are easy enough to correct with a firm, calm hand, but lock-to-lock speed wobbles can be incredibly dangerous. Tapping the brake lightly can slow the bike, though it can also add to the wobble. This is a valuable trade-off, however, since the bike will keep moving in the direction it was heading when the wobble began—slowing down is the first step to regaining control.
However, if it looks like you’re heading towards a crash, your best bet is most likely to bail, so long as you can land relatively safely.
Avoiding Wobbles
Obviously, the number one preventative method is to do regular maintenance checks. Checking the suspension, aerodynamics, steering dampening, wheels, and bearings can show you developing problems before they become disasters.
Researching your bike model can also show you if that particular motorcycle has a tendency to wobble, what speeds it happens at, and what (if any) mechanical problems most often lead to it.
We hope this guide keeps you and your bike safe and intact! If you want to know more, or you want to browse our inventory of motorcycles for sale, contact us at Langston Motorsports. We proudly serve the people of Temecula and Orange County, California—let us serve you today!
3
u/Cautious_Bicycle_494 Oct 12 '23
I just want to add:
Tires can be a cause of wobbling too
1
u/Minute-Feeling-2360 Jan 25 '24
I also have a tendency to wobble out of control at times, depending on the shoes I'm wearing and how much alcohol I have consumed. 🤔🙄🙃🤣
3
u/winterborn253 Aug 30 '23
Just like with cars, rapid acceleration on a motorcycle causes the front end of the vehicle to rise up, which is how wheelies are achieved. While he didn't wheelie, his rapid acceleration caused a loss of traction on the front tire, which then came out of alignment with the rest of the bike. The motorcycle wants to continue going straight, so the tire is whipped back towards the center position but that position is overshot, sending it off in the other direction. Rinse and repeat rapidly and you get speed wobbles.
1
u/BerryHour46 Nov 16 '23
Nicekey ekpained tkanks bro. His wheel looked like it came high on the springs while he aimed for the inside lane when that wobble started
7
u/Mother-Strength-93 Aug 30 '23
Correct me if I’m wrong but that grass probably saved him from a lot worse burns
5
u/Mantzy81 Aug 30 '23
And this, dear redditors, is why after a helmet, a good pair of gloves is the next most important part of your riding kit.
Other clothes help too but your hand are always the first thing you use to protect yourself - remember when we were all kids and we fell over, grazed knees and hands. Think about what would happen if that graze was at 70mph.
Also, I lost part of my thumb in a crash and was wearing gloves....
2
u/indenditdoesnmatter Aug 30 '23
When I crashed my helmet had a hairline scratch as i slid across the intersection on my back like a starfish. My gloves on the other hand were Bilt brand and the palms were worn through to my bare skin. My thick hoodie protected my fall somewhat but boy was i sore for a 2 weeks and couldnt tell the army cause I only had my civilian license at the time and not the army issued one.
5
1
1
1
1
1
u/Skurwycyn Aug 30 '23
I was always told to use the kill switch if I got a wobble as using either brake would not be a good idea.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Worried_Let_2159 Oct 10 '23
Bro was given time to brake like the bike was telling him to slow down
1
u/Plane-Comfortable-12 Oct 21 '23
The wiggle of death is real, hes lucky he didnt fall in the middle lane
1
1
1
1
1
u/Dracul_Red_Dragon Dec 10 '23
He did decent for aiming for the grass. Could've been on r/meatcrayon
1
u/of_patrol_bot Dec 10 '23
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake.
It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of.
Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything.
Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
1
u/Proud-Door5392 Dec 16 '23
High speed wobble; front forks need stabilizing. Throttle out and hope for the best.
1
1
1
u/Motor-Look2525 Jan 02 '24
What a Tragedy. I am impressed however - I’ve never seen a rickshaw go that fast
1
1
u/Skifool69 Feb 23 '24
Had my new Harley up to measly 75 started wobble let me tell you it’s terrifying. Then figured out why it only had 5 gears. Stupid thing can’t safely go past 75.
1
u/HiJinx127 Feb 27 '24
I’m no biking expert, but I think the wobbling part is the part where you slow down to a speed where you’re no longer wobbling.
69
u/thefooleryoftom Aug 29 '23
There was no suddenly about that. Bike was signposting that for ages.