Tank Slappers

[Woody]

Just wondering if anyone else suffers this sort of thing on their 1200 Bandit - if i'm decellerating and take pressure off the bars they want to flick side to side quite fast...

it doesn't feel good at all, although if you put the slightest pressure back on the bars the side to side motion goes away immediately.  I've had the bike up to high speeds and never had any problem - just when you take you weight off the grips.

Any thoughts??

[Banned it.]

I think the problem is more prone with the gen 2 bandits, possibly because of a steeper steering head angle in conjunction with Michelin Macadam tyres which have a habit of cupping on the front. I have 98 model and it is rock steady at any speed. It shouldn't be a problem now, surely your not still riding in the Canberra winter?

[Auggie]

Mine did the same thing until I replaced the Front Macadam tire.

[aussiebandit]

My advice - piss those bloody OEM Macadams off and get your self a good set of something else - almost anything else would do - try and stay away from tyres with a centre groove and don't even consider a 'double' groove like the macadams.

[mike]

Another vote for front tire...  My Macadam 90x did the same thing when I took hands off the bars...  If memory serves, seems like it started around 4K....

Glad it was never this bad --->    ---> http://www.rickyangerer.de/english/ops.mpeg

[DaveG]

it's the tire for sure
mine did the same thing at 6,000km.
relaced with metzlers and 10,000 and still no shake

[Woody]

The current front tyre is a Bridgestone Battlax (BT020), and running an Avon rear.
Front tyre is due to be replaced in another couple of thousand km, so I'll wait and see if that solves the problem.
If not i'll start looking for more serious issues...
Cheers for the replies!  


(oh yeah, yes i'm currently riding in the Canberra winter!!  Not great but it's not too wet thankfully)

[Red01]

Generally, it's not a good idea to mix brands - or even different styles in the same brand. It can be a real crap shoot trying to match characteristics across brands.

[Woody]

yeah I know it's not the best idea, but the back needed replacing when I bought it and I couldn't afford to buy a new front as well.
The tyre shop guy recommended not to go with Bridgestone variable compounds (which were already fitted) as they have  a reputation for dramatic failure...
As such I'm waiting to match the rear with a new Avon on the front of same type, just can't get the cash together right now!

[Silverstreak]

I put battlax 020's on my bike in the spring and have had similar problems. I experience uneven wear and a slight shudderat about 40 mph, I wouldn't call it a slapper though. The uneven wear is a great concern, I've only got about 4000 miles on them and the front is looking shabby. Someone said it was a tire pressure or suspension problem. Is there a fix?

[Red01]

For the suspension to scallop the tire, the forks would have to be pretty shot and you'd likely get the feeling all the time.

Low air pressure could be at fault - what pressure do you run?

It can also be a tire design issue.  The Mac 90X that came on many 2G's is well known for this issue. My BT010 did it too, but not until the tire was well worn and just about due for replacement anyway. My Pilot Road has NOT done it - and it had 15 K miles when I replaced it with another.

[Big Bo]

I got the slapping and went to Piolot Roads, the slapping went away.

[B12Teuton]

Mine did the same thing until I replaced the Front Macadam tire.

Bingo!!

[B12Teuton]

I think the problem is more prone with the gen 2 bandits, possibly because of a steeper steering head angle...

It's not that.  I lifted the rear of my bike (making the angle even steeper) and it never was a problem after I got rid of the Macadams

[Red01]

I think the problem is more prone with the gen 2 bandits, possibly because of a steeper steering head angle...

It's not that.  I lifted the rear of my bike (making the angle even steeper) and it never was a problem after I got rid of the Macadams

Same here. Lifted with links, then later went back to stock links and a Busa rear shock. The Mac's are just crap.

OTOH, there are other Michelins that work wonderfully... any with the word "Pilot" in them. I like to get some miles between tire changes, so I went with Pilot Roads. Happy enough with them that I'll be spooning on a third rear one soon.