After weeks without riding I finally got a chance to go on a spirited ride tonight. I should have taken it easy. I got a little too hot on the throttle while passing a vehicle out in the country and experienced a truly awful thing. As I cut back into the right lane at a fairly high speed my handle bars began to violently shake back and forth then (thankfully) straighten out.

It’s easily been 20 minutes and I’m sitting at home but my heart is still beating out of my chest. The damn wobble sent me to the edge of the road and damn near off of it. At the speed I was traveling that would REALLY have hurt.

The first Gen R1 is notorious for tank slappers and what I would describe as a VERY twitchy front suspension feel. It routinely is mentioned amongst the bikes that all share the moniker “widow maker”.

I got damn lucky tonight.

Glad you're ok. Are there recalls on your bike? Even if not, maybe it's time for a trip to your mechanic?

Head bearings, front wheel bearings, air pressure and steering damper along with fork oil level, where does one start to help correct the problem.

It doesn’t have a steering dampener/ stabilizer. It definitely needs one.

You got very lucky, very lucky Stickman. Check you back tire alignment, that has caused me grief where the wobble gets worse unless I back off on the throttle. Glad you're OK!

Steering damper?
Edit:
Never mind, just saw your more updated post.
My CBR has an electronic one and I guess you never really know how much they are appreciated unless you don't have one.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
It doesn’t have a steering dampener/ stabilizer. It definitely needs one.

Bingo!

Rode for many, many years, until an uninsured 26 year old pothead ended that passion...

Git yersef a good one!!!

As others mentioned, a steering damper will help out a lot. The other thing to remember is that if it happens again, you need to hit the gas. It’s counter intuitive, but if you get a tank slapper again and you hit the brakes it will load up the front forks and make it worse. Hitting the gas will lighten the front and straighten it out.

quote:

Originally posted by aesposita:
As others mentioned, a steering damper will help out a lot. The other thing to remember is that if it happens again, you need to hit the gas. It’s counter intuitive, but if you get a tank slapper again and you hit the brakes it will load up the front forks and make it worse. Hitting the gas will lighten the front and straighten it out.

Is that like when a trailer gets wobbly, and you goose it to get it back under control and then slow by just getting off the gas?

Wow, Glad you are okay. I used to do a fair amount of riding, but haven't for the last several years. I still have two motorcycles fully insured and registered, but it has been a long time since I rode either one. The larger displacement bike, is a 1991 Suzuki 1100GSXR, and thankfully, yes it has a stock steering stabilizer. Right now she is sitting in my living room, on a pair of pit bull stands, with a cover, with a trickle charger, and a dry gas tank.
I'd install a steering stabilizer on your bike, just to be on the "safer" side of sport bike riding.
It is an amazing thing to get out there and go - I liken it to flying. But when you hit something, or even stretch a muscle or joint (that you forgot you had) especially when you get older, it hurts for a very long time.
Ride Safe!

It’s hardly unique. Go get on a track on a 929RR or 954RR and hammer on it all session. Same thing will occur. Many bikes made around then suffered the same fate. They make steering dampers for a reason. Install one. It’s the first mod any of us did back then. My 929RR bought new in December 2000 had one on it the minute I got home from the stealer with it.

Timely post! I did some enthusiastic riding today on a picture perfect Yooper summer day. 200 miles total, and a fantastic pass down the Seney Stretch. I always notice my front wheel gets "light" and I feel the front rise slightly during hard acceleration. This despite the electronic traction and stability systems the S1000XR has on board. I cant imagine riding it without a damper and on my after ride clean up, I made sure it was bug free!
Glad you are OK.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
It doesn’t have a steering dampener/ stabilizer. It definitely needs one.

This for sure. The scary and difficult part of getting out of tank slappers in most cases is to accelerate! If you back off too sudden or too much it’s over.

I’ve had it happen several times on various bikes. It is disconcerting at best. Last time was on a friends custom Gold Wing. He later lost it and his life on it near Las Vegas doing about 120 mph I also had it occur on a BMW and my Norton Commando. At that time, everyone I knew added a hydraulic steering damper to their bike and it seemed to help. I would add one if my bike didn’t come equipped with it. But I’m just repeating what everyone else said. It seems tire air pressure was a factor too.

My first bike did that... at high speeds... medium speeds... even sometimes at slow speeds. God forbid you take your hands off the bars.

Turned out things were a tad loose up front.

My FJ1200 did that to me once, but never happened in 27,000 miles on my 1998 ZX-9R. It gets your attention. My F350 pickup did it last year, but it's called The Ford Death Wobble. It had some worn tie rod ends.

In your case, I'd be looking for a mechanical issue and then install a steering stabilizer.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

Glad you are okay.

Later today call the local fire department and ask to use their Hurst tool to unclench your bum.

I'm glad you made it through unscathed.

quote:

Originally posted by staugustfla:
Head bearings, front wheel bearings, air pressure and steering damper along with fork oil level, where does one start to help correct the problem.

You've pretty well covered what I'd look at.
You could take it to the dealership and have them go over it. Or, you could purchase a factory service manual and address the situation as you install a steering damper. Please note I said "Factory", not Clymer's, Chilton's or such. Costs more but much better.
Hope you get it licked.