Tar Snake observation
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 550
Likes: 92
From: MN
Tar Snake observation
I had been riding a 1999 Road King Classic, since, well, 1999.
With the 2015 Limited I got a couple months ago, it seems tar snakes are more noticable/more wicked.
Is it because the 2015 Limited is heavier in general ? The fairing-induced weight on forks ? Tires/tire size ? Other ? Or just my imagination ?
Anyone else notice this ?
With the 2015 Limited I got a couple months ago, it seems tar snakes are more noticable/more wicked.
Is it because the 2015 Limited is heavier in general ? The fairing-induced weight on forks ? Tires/tire size ? Other ? Or just my imagination ?
Anyone else notice this ?
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 252
Likes: 50
From: Georgia
Part of it is the heavier weight. Part of it is the front suspension. Part of it is the tread pattern on the OEM Dunlops.
I have been riding a 2000 Road King Classic, since, well, 2000 (LOL...). I still have it, but added a 2014 FLHTK to my garage. I had long ago replaced the RK's front suspension with Progressive Monotubes, so I was used to a tighter front end. However, I was very alarmed at how sloppy the front end on my FLHTK was from the day I got it. I went from a Road King, which I often rode without the windshield, to a batwing. I get that. However, the Limited was particularly squirrely when on rain grooved highways, bridge grates, gravel roads, or running across tar-snakes, compared to what I was used to. I replaced the front suspension and rear air-shocks after 5k miles, and that helped tighten up the feel.
However, the bigger improvement came after about 16k miles when I replaced the OEM Dunlop tires and switched to Metzler ME-888's. These tires are also multi-compound, high mileage tires, but their tread pattern is much different. Since I was already accustomed to the suspension, I have attributed the better handling I immediately felt in the above mentioned conditions to the different tread pattern and how that pattern reacts with various road surfaces. I've put about 9k on these tires, and for me, I'm sticking with them next time it is time to change.
I have been riding a 2000 Road King Classic, since, well, 2000 (LOL...). I still have it, but added a 2014 FLHTK to my garage. I had long ago replaced the RK's front suspension with Progressive Monotubes, so I was used to a tighter front end. However, I was very alarmed at how sloppy the front end on my FLHTK was from the day I got it. I went from a Road King, which I often rode without the windshield, to a batwing. I get that. However, the Limited was particularly squirrely when on rain grooved highways, bridge grates, gravel roads, or running across tar-snakes, compared to what I was used to. I replaced the front suspension and rear air-shocks after 5k miles, and that helped tighten up the feel.
However, the bigger improvement came after about 16k miles when I replaced the OEM Dunlop tires and switched to Metzler ME-888's. These tires are also multi-compound, high mileage tires, but their tread pattern is much different. Since I was already accustomed to the suspension, I have attributed the better handling I immediately felt in the above mentioned conditions to the different tread pattern and how that pattern reacts with various road surfaces. I've put about 9k on these tires, and for me, I'm sticking with them next time it is time to change.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Elgin, IL
My experience was the same with the stock Dunlops on the '02 Fatboy. Switched over to Metzler's, and they were much better over metal grate bridges and tar snakes. The '15 SGS is not as good with stock Dunlops.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 539
From: BHC, Arizona
Tar snakes in the summer heat are not good no matter what year your bike is.
Nothing like being in a 50-60 mph left hand downhill sweeper then finding yourself 6 ft to the right of the track you were on just a few milliseconds before.
Nothing like being in a 50-60 mph left hand downhill sweeper then finding yourself 6 ft to the right of the track you were on just a few milliseconds before.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Fishers, IN
Lots of tar snakes here in Indianapolis. I have the '15 Limited Low and it definitely does not like them. However, I attribute a lot of it to the stock tires.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
Hate tar snakes had very close call in Aug 08 going at 80 MPH in a curve on the way to Sturgis since then it still makes me tense but haven't faced any on my 15 in last 9K miles since bought the scooter in Jan this year, nice weather behind and summer is here now and tar snakes will be plump.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
God I hate them things. I still have the stock tires at 12000 miles, but even when they was new it was bad. Won't be long and I will be buying new tires. I have a bud with a Polaris Vic and his stock was bad and then he got Mets 880 and hate's them, only 5000 miles and they are cupping bad, and still slid on the snakes. I'm going to look in to the Commander III.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 17
From: Between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls Texas
I changed from what I think was the stock Dunlops on my 07 FLHTCU to Commander 2's and after finding the right air pressure they are much MUCH better than the Dunlops. I'm third owner so not sure if they were stockers but they looked like it. I also added Ride-On balancer/puncture proof. Smoothest ride I've ever seen with the combination. Oh, tar snakes are just now having a little effect now after 8k miles on them. Not nearly as bad as the Dunlops. Depends on the snake if I even feel it but I can say with miles there is a little difference now. Still very good though. Air pressure is key on Commanders though. They like a lot of air. I'm running 42/44 and that's solo.
Last edited by hogcowboy; Jun 15, 2015 at 04:58 PM.