Tar snakes suck
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Yeah, tar snakes can suck! What tires and suspension are on your bike?
The roads by me haven't heated up yet, but since switching over to the Avon Venoms and Ohlins shocks last year, I haven't had many issues with tar snakes. Sometimes I intentionally try and hit them just to see how the bike will react so I won't be shocked when I unintentially ride over them.
I think improving the tires and suspension makes all the difference in the world. With my old setup, riding on roads with tar snakes and which have been desurfaced awaiting new asphalt used to suck, but with performance tires and suspension is now no big deal.
The roads by me haven't heated up yet, but since switching over to the Avon Venoms and Ohlins shocks last year, I haven't had many issues with tar snakes. Sometimes I intentionally try and hit them just to see how the bike will react so I won't be shocked when I unintentially ride over them.
I think improving the tires and suspension makes all the difference in the world. With my old setup, riding on roads with tar snakes and which have been desurfaced awaiting new asphalt used to suck, but with performance tires and suspension is now no big deal.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 14
From: Idaho
+1 on this out here they get to be a pain with the heat I just reminded a buddy of mine that got a FLHX "clutch & rear break"
1) no matter what, stay off the fricking front break. If you HAVE to break, go for the rear break and be gentle.
2) If you are slipping on a tar snake, clutch and ride smooth, or throttle back to straight, only break if you have to.
3) Keep a high visual horizon, (look ahead), make sure you are looking THROUGH your turns, and not in front of your tire. If you see a snake coming, adjust, if its unavoidable, throttle down and take it slow.
I guess the key points are, no front break and its always better to arrive late, than to arrive in an ambulance.
2) If you are slipping on a tar snake, clutch and ride smooth, or throttle back to straight, only break if you have to.
3) Keep a high visual horizon, (look ahead), make sure you are looking THROUGH your turns, and not in front of your tire. If you see a snake coming, adjust, if its unavoidable, throttle down and take it slow.
I guess the key points are, no front break and its always better to arrive late, than to arrive in an ambulance.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I've read the Lop's touring Elite 3's are supposed to be a lot better than the 401's and 402's that come stock on mine on tar snakes.. Thinking I am trying them next time.
Those grooves the asphalt cutters make when re-doing the roads are not good either.
Those grooves the asphalt cutters make when re-doing the roads are not good either.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,455
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Look into some Avon Venom series tires , tread patterns don't track rain grooves and handle rough roads extremely well plus corner like a cat on a carpet . I've gotten very good road mileage , feel rock solid in heavy twisties , notice a lot less of that slippery feeling on roads with a skim of crude on top like sand and wet conditions . Haven't had a bike come out from under using them , can't say that with Dunlops .
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 12
From: Commerce, Mich.
+1 on the Elite 3's I don't even feel the tar snakes anymore. I can ride right down the center of them with no issues or slippage of any kind. What as huge difference over stock tires
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 912
From: South La.
With the soft soil around these parts, we've got tar snakes everywhere! What I hate is when you're in a curve and find a whole tar snake family. lol You slip off one just to get on another. SLIP GRIP SLIP GRIP LOL