What is death wobble motorcycle. It’s also called a “tank slapper” because the handlebars can smack the gas tank during a bad wobble. Dec 13, 2022 · A speed wobble occurs when a motorcycle's front wheel oscillates uncontrollably back and forth, causing the handlebars to shake violently. Usually, it happens at higher speeds—above 40 mph or so—and it can feel wild and uncontrollable. You have probably seen this in videos of wheelies gone bad (like the one above). May 12, 2025 · What to Know: A motorcycle death wobble (also called a tank slapper) happens when your front wheel rapidly oscillates side-to-side at higher speeds. For the rider, the handlebars will suddenly oscillate, and you may have to let go. . While scary, these incidents are extremely rare and usually last only seconds. Jun 23, 2025 · To understand the causes of death wobble, it’s important to first consider the front end alignment of your motorcycle. Misaligned wheels can lead to instability and wobbling at high speeds, especially when hitting bumps or potholes on the road. The wobble is an egregious example of that lack of stability, producing violent shaking back and forth accelerations of the steering. Jan 26, 2024 · Also known as speed wobble, a tank slapper, or headshakes, this physics phenomenon happens when the bike's front wheel oscillates from side to side and subsequently causes the handlebars to shake Jul 11, 2025 · Simply put, death wobble is a rapid side-to-side shaking of your bike’s front wheel and handlebars. May 16, 2024 · What is a death wobble? A two-wheel vehicle is inherently unstable. This instability can make it challenging for the rider to maintain control, potentially leading to an accident. Oct 14, 2022 · A motorcycle death wobble is when the front wheel loses stability and starts to shake from left to right uncontrollably. gbzauspbtpiohgobwwhdodctbibynaywttbyamvdezfnj