I have a question and I am hoping that somebody with more knowledge than I can provide some insight...

I have a 2017 Street Glide with the stock Dunlop D408F tire. On my last run I was heading up a great mountain road I know with real wide, banked and smooth corners... Well, in the middle of one I hit a tar snake and the front tire started to wash out. It was an eye opener for sure. Anyhow, these tires seem to be pretty effected by tar snakes, as I feel each one. However, I notice with lower pressures that they seem to be better. On this trip I was loaded with gear for a long run, so I had the psi up at 40.

My questions are, is this tire just more susceptible to tar snakes, and does pressure really make a difference? I mean other than that I like the tire and they seem to get good reviews, but only as far as mileage is concerned. Not one review I could find discussed performance. I know on my FJR that some tires were better than others when it came to performance and tar snakes, but I just don't know about the Street Glide?

Thanks!

 

Not sure on all your questions but can tell you the AE tires will also slip on the tar snakes. Like you I run higher pressure usually 42 psi. I wouldn't say its a huge problem with the AE but it does happens. Gets the heart pounding like hell when it does. Good luck on the search. I would think something like an avon tire might be better, but the low mileage tires is something I haven't tried yet.

 

FWIW I switched over to Avon Cobras on my RKC, and have not noticed the tar snake slip as much. The Avons don't track with the road grooves as much either. Running 44psi on rear, 38ish on front.

 

I live in the city and what messes me up are the cross walk paint when making a turn when it's raining out. Scares the bajesus out of you. But I learned at a younger age, slow down before the turn and roll thru it.

 

Have you been out when it's hot? Cobras worked well for me on tar snakes in Utah until the temps got above 100F.. They slipped all over the place after that.. Like they were greased.. Here in So cal they add sand to the the tar and don't lay it on as thick as in Utah and Nevada so it less of an issue...

 

I don't think the tires are the problem. The temperature of the tar is problem. Next time when the road is hot find a tar snake and step on it with your boot. Then see how easy you can slide your boot across it. Just my opinion.

 

Thanks for the replies... And yes, weather can definitely make a difference! Interesting about how they do things in So Cal. Wish they would do that up here in Wa.! They use lots of tar in some places and lay it on thick. Also do a lot of chip sealing... And starting to see the problems with that as well, with huge chunks coming out of the road. We're talking some several inches deep, several inches wide, up to several feet long...
Sure wish they would start fixing some of these roads instead of just the constant band aids!

 

I had similar problems, when you hit the tar snakes that wobble just enough to make you close attention. It seemed like this happened more when a T-bag was strapped on, I had a stabilizer installed and the problem is hardly noticeable now.