Tank Slaps

[HMC]

Good point           Maybe its just accumulated dents over the years. Looking at the gravel rash on it, it seems to be partial to having a good lie down. Lazy Bitch.

[rasputin]

One thing that will dent a tank and look like a tank slapper is the bike simply falling over. I had one that fell over when it was nearly new. The dents in the tank were from the bars hitting the tank.
If you park this bike on a soft area on the double stand it can fall over easily. If you look at the double stand it is much smaller on one side than the other. Placed on the double stand it will fall towards the right side every time if it is  on the double stand on grass or hot pavement. Just something to think about.

[SCARFEY]

Had a 160 Kph tank slapper on my old XS back in the 90's.  (more of a "Oh f@#@$% its got a sway up, tighten sphincter and hang on) 

Put it down to stuffed rear shocks that foamed up when they were on load.  It used to do it first thing in the morning but then it was a genuine tank slapper.

Frightened anyone else that rode it but a firm hand and foul language usually fixed it until the tyres and the shocks warmed up.

[excess.11]

Low front tyre pressure will do it as well................have at least 32 psi....in the front............a good idea to have at least 37 psi in the back irrespective of what brand of tyres you have on.............these are fairly hefty machines we ride.

[Jonesy]

an xs i had before would get a bit of a shake up in the bars decelerating when the back tyre was well worn and carrying a rack full of touring gear but hardly a slapper and could be controlled with a firm grip.
Otherwise what Fred said.

[Fred]

I've known a few "Slappers" but they weren't in XS

In all seriousness, no mate, XS1100s are not known to be tank slappers. I can see how any bike can turn into one with very loose steering head bearings or as happened to me in '73 with my brand new K2 750Four Honda.

Just took off fom the curb redlining to impress the gathering at the local when the front tyre exploded on me with the bars being wrenched out of my hands and giving the tank a well deserved slapping.

Check the bar ends, indicators etc for road rash and the steering head bearings for tightness. If you need some guidance as to checking the correct tension on the steering head and you haven't got a manual just ask.

[HMC]

Hi      The XS we are trying to get going has dents in the tank which look like they come from the bars. Is this a feature of the bike or something to investigate? Not really into Slappers!   Rgds