Poor old K Ash, feel for his family, bike are dangerous, all of them, and so is life in general. Live it to the max I say.
BMW have said nothing at all about that crash which in itself says many things IMHO. 3 other journos had tankslappers on that same event. And BMW have now fitted steering dampers to the bike as standard.
Quite right, and you have a good point, now I'd say it's one of the safest bikes I've ever ridden, other than the Multi, but just shows how even with all the tech one of the most experienced riders in the world can suffer a fatal crash!
A phenomenon where the front wheel and handle bars violently shake from left to right, called a tank slipper as back in the day they would shake so hard your hands would be thrown from the grips and your hands would slap the tank! Caused by many many factors and even on the best setup with the most stable of bikes rare occasions it can still happen.
It was a tragic accident, and sorry I bought it up, he will be loss to all, its a shame that a family loses out when something goes wrong, by the sound of it BMW acted quickly to solve what could have been the potential problem, and safeguarding future customers, from the reports there is still uncertainty of what may have led to the accident,
Don't think BM can be blamed at all, Jesus I have had moments on just about all bikes I have owned, and crashed a few too! It was unlucky and tragic as are most accidents !
Andy, I'm afraid that's not a pretty sight, I'm sure it's wonderful to ride, but not bike you look back at as you walk away from it in a car park. Looks like a Transformer!
The original Multi was a bit aesthetically challenged, the latest ones I think are almost quite pretty, especially in tri colore paint.
I think mines bloody gorgeous. Every time I open the garage door I see a red Bo Derek walking out of the sea and I usually have to sort myself out in the downstairs loo!!!
Tank slapper, not to be confused with "a slapper". Your hands are still on the bars but the bars are moving in a full, rapid lock-to-lock cycle, that cannot be arrested and your hands, whilst still on the bars, hanging on for grim death are beating the sides of the tank. I had a VFR1000R last Century and it was commonplace for that piece of shite to go into a tank slapper at the slightest provocation. 16" front end and steep rake a big contributor. To call it frightening would be a compliment.
Words of truth, I had one after a car pulled out on me and my front locked on the 748 for a split second. I had what felt like an eternity of a tank slapper. The line where my tyre left a mark on the road as it squirmed lasted a couple of months. It was terrifying. Little to no control as your bike just shakes you about violently. Thankfully mine ended and I carried on. My wrists were so bruised.
I have a Diavel now but for 2013 Euro Touring I used one of the latest GSs and have to say that the BMW, especially with the semi active suspension is brilliant. I used and abused it in many mountain passes and rode it beyond what I had previously thought was my skill limit but it took care of my stupidity. OK it crunches into first gear but you can live with that for the exceptional benefits this bike brings and it was trouble free while I had it. As for anyone thinking that they have a stability problem forget it...not a trace at least on the road...or I'd be pushing up daisies instead of writing this. I hear they've sold 24,000 in less than a year now and is consistently the top big bike seller. I miss that bike a lot especially with no fuel gauge on the Diavel and uncompliant suspension...guess I've been spoilt by the GS but my Euro touring days are over now so it doesn't matter, much.
Try these: Best Moto Wobbles, Tank Slapper Moments (saves and crashes) - YouTube I've had a few. But not recently, and never on a Ducati.
Jesus Christ!!! Well that's me and bikes finished then. I ain't going through any of that shit. Nice to have known you all and all the best.
