Bad Roads: Grooves

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 2, 2009 | 09:39 PM

#11

WWECOUGAR

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 1,074

Likes: 1

From: Baltimore, MD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foodog

Put on a set of Metzeler ME880s and you will hardly notice you're riding on grooved pavement. The stock Dunlops scared the crap out of me the first time I hit some grooves.

+1 on Metzlers

Nov 2, 2009 | 09:50 PM

#12

brutalbrad

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 1,405

Likes: 6

From: Portland, Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAMing

A well designed motorcycle is an amazingly stable piece of machinery at reasonable speeds. Try not to tense up, or worse, fight it. Let the bike "float".

that is probably really good advance because when I start thinking about it to much I get stressed about the road conditions. the scenic byway that I ride is lessed dug out which is a lot more fun. At first I thought it was my bike but it is not just bad roads.

Nov 2, 2009 | 10:03 PM

#13

brutalbrad

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 1,405

Likes: 6

From: Portland, Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWECOUGAR

+1 on Metzlers

I have Dunlops on my bike. Maybe Metzlers would be better. I recently adjusted my tire pressure to increase it to the PSI suggested by the sportster manual. Not sure it that made it more touchy to the grooves.

Specifically I have: dunlop d401F

Last edited by brutalbrad; Nov 2, 2009 at 10:17 PM.

Nov 2, 2009 | 10:32 PM

#14

oct1949

Club Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 145,895

Likes: 821

From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..

Hiway snakes around here are a LOT worse than the milled roadways..

Nov 3, 2009 | 06:58 AM

#15

knepp1bj

Road Captain

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 659

Likes: 0

From: Michigan

here in Michigan the grooved roads are popping up everywhere, everyone hates them, even people in cages....

road snakes suck to, as do pot holes

Nov 3, 2009 | 07:18 AM

#16

Theo

Cruiser

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 241

Likes: 1

From: NYC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Other Sheep

Tires can make a huge difference in how the grooves affect the bike. Try the Dunlop E3.

+1 on that. I recently put E3's on my bike and the grooved section of the highway on my commute is no problem. Don't be surprised to find me going over 70 on it. It's also made steel grate bridges feel like nothing. Awesome tires.

Nov 3, 2009 | 07:27 AM

#17

VTwin-Goodies

Former Sponsor

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 47,839

Likes: 1,956

From: SoCal

Get tires that do not have tread that goes the same direction as the grooves such as a metzler or Avon. It makes a difference. Also, relax...

Nov 3, 2009 | 07:30 AM

#18

piasspj

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 9,208

Likes: 374

From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74

I ride quite a few miles of milled roads every year. I always tense up as I enter the milled areas but relax once I'm on it. I was on one milled road this past summer that had a diamond pattern to it, close to 10 miles of resurfacing/repairs and the bike never felt loose at all. Wish they did them all like that.

HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders