Where I live now, most of the "good" country riding roads are more tar snakes than pavement. It's like these crews get paid by the foot or something.

I have been avoiding some of the roads altogether but I am starting to run out of roads at this point.

In this heat especially, I am really nervous about washing out going around a corner at speed when the tar snakes are perpendicular to the lanes.

Any advice? My sphincter is starting to get tired from being puckered up all the time...LOL

Note: I almost dumped my bike making a left turn across an intersection because of a tar snake. I was probably only going 12 mph and the front wheel went out from under me like I was on ice. Scary as ****. That's why I am asking.

 

I've never had any issues with the tar on the roads...uh, oh, "tar snakes". Except when it might get on my engine from being thrown up on it by my front tire. Other than than, nothing.

 

have faith in your bike. new tires, new bike.. it'll be fine. run em over. avoid em where ya can.

 

So, I should ride like normal and not worry about leaning, etc?

 

With the last post including new tires helping, proper tire pressure in new tires helped me. Same stretch of road I hated before is easy now.

 

Just let the bike wiggle on tar snakes, don't fight it. If you can, avoid them, if you can't, slow down a bit.

 

I never had any major issue with my softail or my '12 FLHX on tar snakes, but my new '15 RG is terrible on them. Can't wait until I can rip the factory Dunlop off and replace it. (Hear that metzler? Get that 888 over here!)

 

Especially at this time of year the tar snakes have usually picked up so much road grit that they are no more slippery than the pavement. I did have an experience a few summers ago, however, when the remnants of a hurricane came through here with torrential rains. The next time I rode on that same road the tar snakes were slick, like new. So be careful when they are wet or if there has been a very heavy rain. Other than that, not a big deal.

A related caution--if you ride through country roads where they use gang mowers on the shoulders and ditches and throw grass up onto the street, that can be very slippery in a curve, similar to loose gravel.

 

I am always very cautious with these. hey get slick when it's hot out. I do know debris will collect and stick to them making them no longer slick, but not worth the risk IMO.

 

Only been riding for about 5 years, but never had a problem with "tar snakes".