Riding advice/wobbly bars!

[virgil]

So went for a bit of a blat yesterday. Filtered to the front of a stationary queue and when the lights changed, gave it some beans (bar far the most I've ever given it). Apart from shooting off like a scolded cat, the front end went quite light and the bars started flicking left/right, left/right couple of inches either way...enough to notice and go ooh over, but not enough to get me too worried. I presume this can be normal for a fast take off? Is this the begining of a tank slapper? - is it likely to get worse, or have I hit the limit of take off for my bike?

Bike has a factory stearing damper - presume to quell this mini tank slapper?

Also a couple of points:

I feel the bike moving more under me now...I'm a lot more relaxed on it and it feels easier to ride with out feeling like I'm glued to it...is this the right way to ride, or am I just going to fall off soon?

I changed down a gear coming into a corner (couple of weeks back) and felt the back end go a little 'wobbly' - guess this is a little too much engine braking causing the back wheel to almost lock in the corner? Guess I just need to change down more controlled (match the revs better) and earlier. I do change down earlier now so I'm fully in control as I hit the bend.

I know it's difficult to see what I'm doing by my description but any suggestions welcomed.

Cheers,

Virgil.

[virgil]

Yep, 748 it is.

Do normally match the revs in the car...still getting used to it on the bike - was a bit of a wahoo moment when the back end went a bit wobbly so a lot more carefull now.

To be honext I thought the stearing damper would cut out any front end flapping, but guess not...

[virgil]

Mad Dave said:

a)Tank slapper....

So I'm right in that there's no way to stop it, just let it happen and don't tense as you suggest??

Mad Dave said:

b)Bike moving....

As long as keeping relaxed is the right thing to do...seems fairly natural to kind of let the bike do what it needs to do rather than keeping rock solid on it an forcing it where to go...if that makes sense...

Mad Dave said:

c)Back wheel lock....

Cool - thought it was this and know already how to prevent it...just got to keep practicing/doing it..

It's quite fun this learning lark..

Edited by virgil on Monday 2nd April 17:04

Edited by virgil on Monday 2nd April 17:05

[virgil]

Mad Dave said:

Can probably dial it out with the suspension - setting up my R1 has tamed it. When I got it the front went light every time I hit 9k rpm

Ah, cross posts, don't you just love 'em.

NO idea how mine is set up - just as it came out of the bike shop and they think it was standard...will check the manual but won't fiddle just yet ;-)

[virgil]

Cool, will take a look, though from what I've read, dukes are set up firmer than some bikes anyway...will take a look when I have time.

My ride tonight was scuppered by a 4.5hr train delay...whoopie do!