$&#%! Tar Snakes!
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Tar snakes are made with rubberized material. The hotter the road gets the more they move. As far I know the tire isn't losing grip as the tar snake is moving under the tire. That and a buck will get you a small cup nothing.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 4
The fatter front tires (like on the on the fatbob) have less tendency to be upset by road irregularities, and with the sputhe positrac it pretty much eliminated any tendency..... but get a little moisture on those tar strips combined with stock tires and holly s%$#@(.
The pirellis on the Duc never had this issue.
The pirellis on the Duc never had this issue.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
I have a 120/70/21 up front Dunlop E3 and the stock rear Dunlop and I don't have a problem with tar snakes. Even with the stock front I never noticed them. Now them plastic cross walk strips melted into the asphalt with some morning dew. I don't think any rubber will stick to that. I need a new rear in a couple weeks and I'm going to stay dunlop and try the sportmax roadsmart rear since they don't make a 17" rear rim e3.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
I yanked the Dunlops that the 2009 FXD came with, (3-4000 miles and still look mostly new) partly for that reason (snakes) and partly because when I got the bike it had a flat repair in the rear tire.
Put on the Metzler 880 Marathons and snakes don't exist, heavy steering does not exist and feeling like I'm on a smooth steel rail in the corners is how it rides.
HUGE MFing difference...one that not only I notice but the guy that owns the local indie felt the same change. To say I'm impressed is an understatement.
Up the snakes, down the snakes, across the snakes, brake on the snake, hit it on the snake = No snakes at all.
Pat
Put on the Metzler 880 Marathons and snakes don't exist, heavy steering does not exist and feeling like I'm on a smooth steel rail in the corners is how it rides.
HUGE MFing difference...one that not only I notice but the guy that owns the local indie felt the same change. To say I'm impressed is an understatement.
Up the snakes, down the snakes, across the snakes, brake on the snake, hit it on the snake = No snakes at all.
Pat
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 2
From: SoCal, USA
Had some sphincter clenching moments myself on the road that leads up the mountain to where I live. Thankfully just 2 days ago the local authority started resurfacing the road, only took them 11 years to get around to it. Road literally had more tar than asphalt on some sections, and always on the corners.
One of my favorite rides, unfortunately, involves a section of road that's teeming with tar snakes. I have the stock tires (not the originals!) on my WG. During the summer I'm a lot more careful on that stretch - felt a bit of a slip on the hottest days; not a problem the rest of the year.
Last edited by Malibyte; Jul 8, 2010 at 01:21 AM.
Put on the Metzler 880 Marathons and snakes don't exist, heavy steering does not exist and feeling like I'm on a smooth steel rail in the corners is how it rides.
HUGE MFing difference...one that not only I notice but the guy that owns the local indie felt the same change. To say I'm impressed is an understatement.
Up the snakes, down the snakes, across the snakes, brake on the snake, hit it on the snake = No snakes at all.
Pat
HUGE MFing difference...one that not only I notice but the guy that owns the local indie felt the same change. To say I'm impressed is an understatement.
Up the snakes, down the snakes, across the snakes, brake on the snake, hit it on the snake = No snakes at all.
Pat
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 449
Likes: 1
From: The Mohawk Trail
For the record I never intended this to become a my tire's better than your tire thread. Also for the record I like my original Michelin's so far. They feel fine on the highway and over things like rain grooves. And they grip well all the way over until I'm grinding my pegs so I doubt that they're the cause of my feeling over the snakes. My thought was the feeling is caused by the front end itself, and I was shocked to think that 49mm forks would or could flex this much. The actual fork dimension is much larger than those on my last bike, one that had little problem with snakes. Other differences between the two bikes are rake and over-all weight and both of those differences could be contributing factors too
Last edited by spaceblue; Jul 8, 2010 at 05:17 AM. Reason: typos
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Pettytown, Tx US of A
Greetings,
If you have a Dyna and don't like the wigglies crossing tar snakes, center stripes and walking in corners, get a True Track or Sputhe system and feel the amazing difference it makes.
I am simply in awe of the different personality mine took on after installation.
You can spend quite a bit of money searching for newer, better tires but they are only bandaids to help cover the problem with the flexy chassis setup.
Why not just fix it right and be done with it?
If you have a Dyna and don't like the wigglies crossing tar snakes, center stripes and walking in corners, get a True Track or Sputhe system and feel the amazing difference it makes.
I am simply in awe of the different personality mine took on after installation.
You can spend quite a bit of money searching for newer, better tires but they are only bandaids to help cover the problem with the flexy chassis setup.
Why not just fix it right and be done with it?