what are speed wobbles

Speed wobbles, also known as shimmy, tank-slapper, or death wobble, are rapid side-to-side oscillations of a vehicle's steerable wheel(s) that occur at high speeds and can lead to loss of control. This phenomenon typically happens at frequencies of 4 to 10 Hz and is caused by a combination of factors including initial disturbances, insufficient damping, and resonance effects in the vehicle's steering system. Speed wobbles can occur in motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards, and other vehicles with a single steering pivot and adequate freedom of the steered wheel. They start with a minor irregularity or disturbance that gets amplified into a rapidly oscillating movement of the front wheel or handlebars, making it difficult to maintain control and potentially leading to dangerous situations if left unchecked.