Tank Slappers and the Quest for Perfect Suspension

Is there such a thing as the "perfect" suspension setup? Actually, yes. But it has nothing to do with preload, rebound or compression damping.

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[simoneosci]

Almost 20 years of riding and never stop learning from this channel. Tanks for your work.

[zacharymoerder]

This is hands down, the absolute best motorcycle channel on the internet. I've come to expect consistent, top-notch content; yet you always blow expectations out of the water. Thanks for all the effort you put into making the roads safer, and the riders smarter.

[lazysmurf]

I want to give you guys props for actually caring about audio levels and compression with your show. Wish more did that.

[WynnofThule]

"Like 3 homophobic men, your motorcycle is 550 lbs of pure desire to be straight."

That was not a line I was expecting to hear but I'm so fucking glad I did.

[Motoboo_Marine]

Basically just explained why electronic suspension is such a big deal, in a matter that most people can understand. Great work!

[bake]

Coming from a Multistrada I would have to say yes to turning on an electronic suspension….. it was truly wonderful. Great video Ryan!

[benceringbauer]

Im in the fourth semester as a mechanical engineer student on uni and we had a lecture on linear vibrations course about skyhook on monday this week and how it works. Its good to see it from more source. Thanks.

[gamersroost]

I realize you'll never see this, but you're a script genius. It's the main reason I come back. Your content is superbly edited and has gotten (a LOT) better over time. Now I look forward to seeing everything new. Thanks Ryan. Happy 2022 season from Maine US.

Tank slapper has only happened to me one time in my life. I was in Florida on a V-Four Honda VF750F Interceptor. I was going over an overpass and exactly as stated in the video, the front wheel came up. As it planted down again, I was on the downhill and totally unloaded the rear end. It slapped 4 times back and forth then somehow stopped on it's own. I rode 500 feet or so to the gas station where I spent a few minutes thanking all the deities. I had the cheapest tires a 90's young adult could afford, which in hindsight may have saved me the trip to the asphalt.

[woooster]

Interesting stuff, good video.. I’ve only ever had 1 tank slapper in 33 years of riding, and it’s indelibly printed in my mind! It was under hard acceleration on my ZXR 750 on a patched/bumpy part of the road. The bar oscillation went from lock to lock.. I was genuinely a passenger! Luckily, got it under control and didn’t crash. I had to stop at the side of the road though - to get myself together 😲

[jackbenfield]

Came for the education, stayed forever for Ryan's brilliant witticisms 😊

[mark]

Ryan, you sir are truly a master of education. I have been riding my Multistrada 1200S for 5 years and only now do I fully understand the suspension (Skyhook) and why it is semi.
To be honest I never tried to work it out, just accepted that it works.

[clemc]

As a retired engineer, I SO love your videos and detailed descriptions. Thank you 😊

[abrahamsaavedra]

Your joke about the 3 dudes is hilarious! Great job with the satire, and informative. Your channel is 100% better than any network

[thenarrator]

The no background audio approach in the technical lecture part gives me a nostalgia of the 90's educational videos, I love it

[thewatcher]

I Don't Pretend To Understand All Of The Science About Motorcycle Suspension But I Love The Way You Explain It! Thank You.

[ericvandermolen]

As always, thank you Ryan F9 and team for the thought, humor, effort and wit incorporated in these videos. Well done.

[commandercoffeeguy]

2 videos in a week? What a time to be alive

[marcusgeorge]

Thanks Ryan. This would have to be a subject of discussion dating back well over 30 years when we first started seeing proper adjustable suspension. As an ex Australian Superbike racer, call it learning all you have mentioned the hard way by racing (at first) bikes with only preload at the rear and not changing the front fork oils with quicker intervals. See you didn’t cover, what 99.9999% of rider actually know is the front fork oils don’t last anywhere near as long as the service manuals suggest. One other part that was failed to be mentioned is the steering damper. If a bike has all the required adjustability, and set correctly for a riders weight, conditions etc.. then theses aren’t required. However, as most riders don’t have a clue as to set up their ride to perfection then these are then just an additional safety aid to slow down and stop the tank slappers. Ultimately the bike does want to go in a straight line, so just relax, don’t fight them, and the bike will sort itself out. When I earlier referred to learning the hard way was when I tried to physically recover one at 250 kph around my home track being Phillip Island and ended up separated from the bike. My fault, not the bikes. As my team manager politely pointed out after I returned via seeing the track doctor. 👍😎🇦🇺

[Alfalfa_Male]

I don't have motorcycle and I don't ever plan on owning one. I seriously don't have the slightest inclination, yet I love watching this channel. Been watching for like two years, just thought I'd drop in and say hello.

[DanielNoest]

Yes, I would engage the perfect available. Actually I do so each time when I start my car. That thing (Citroen C5) does have the system that matches your Skyhook idea. For the interested: The Citroen C5 has an active, hydro-pneumatic, suspension that controls every wheel individually. Sadly, it never got introduced to motorcycling. The system is incredibly brilliant! Even the ride height is adjustable... It would be great on my V-strom.