Tar Snakes

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Jun 1, 2012 | 08:46 PM

#31

iamfree

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 234

Likes: 1

From: southern california

hah, didn't know that's what they were called. fitting name. hit them the first time last year on the road around lake havasu in arizona. it was about 90 degrees and on a reverse-banked turn. the front wheel slid then caught then the back wheel. thought i hit ice. after that if i couldn't steer around them i'd just slow down and make sure i hit them straight on.

Jun 1, 2012 | 08:54 PM

#32

NDBadlands4-2

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 14,778

Likes: 69

From: Badlands of ND

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCFLHRC

Yeah, I know putting the foot down is the wrong thing to do. Just natural to do that. Both times it has happened was at low speeds making a turn from a stop. I believe they are less noticeable at higher speeds.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcane98

It feels like riding over marbles, seems like you slip a mile, but in reality it's only an inch or so... keep your knees against the tank, look through your turn, and roll on the throttle.

I hit a bunch of them recently on a on ramp turning into the interstate at about 65 mph. They are Very noticeable at high speeds, and it does make you feel like you slid a mile and like you said, I doubt it was more than an inch or so. I try and be very careful when I see them.

Jun 1, 2012 | 09:07 PM

#33

Timmy B

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 2,882

Likes: 6

From: 12 year, Colombia, 4 years Mexico, currently In Kuwait, but Boston is HOME!!

Those bastards dumped me or made me dump, in Maine years ago I was on A Suzuki intruder, fun little bike I was out near the Black woods road, down east, known as 182 and there is a small part that runs thorugh a town for a bit and takes a somewhat sharp turn as you approach the town, being respectful of the small town speen limit I slowed down, there was a small humid summer mist and fog and as I turn in, front tire went out, I put my foot down, and rear tire started going crazy road off the road into the front yard of a colonial house and dumped. I just thank Godit was not on tar. becareful and stay safe.

Jun 1, 2012 | 09:08 PM

#34

jmg343

Cruiser

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 231

Likes: 1

Just squeeze with your legs. Never ever ever put a foot down unless you're not moving. Period. If you've ridden enough, or grown up on a dirtbike, they wont even phase you.

Jun 1, 2012 | 09:09 PM

#35

J.L.

Advanced

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 86

Likes: 0

From: Marquette, Michigan

A new rear tire made the tar snakes stop biting my eg. Check the ware on your tire.

Jun 1, 2012 | 09:49 PM

#36

tom lipke

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 103

Likes: 2

thankfull we don't have many of those in california jsut got back from san fran to l.a. trip down hwy 101 I could do it once a month!

Jun 1, 2012 | 09:56 PM

#37

blusmbl

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 8

From: Detroit, the asshole of America

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg343

Just squeeze with your legs. Never ever ever put a foot down unless you're not moving. Period. If you've ridden enough, or grown up on a dirtbike, they wont even phase you.

I started riding dirtbikes first, and I agree, the tar snakes don't bother me too much. I do only notice them on my Harley- the other streetbikes I had didn't move around as much when I hit them, but it's still not the end of the world.

Jun 1, 2012 | 10:37 PM

#38

08HD

Road Captain

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 715

Likes: 2

From: So. Cal.

E3 dunlop tires track pretty good on the road where tar snakes are.

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Jun 2, 2012 | 12:50 AM

#39

mike5511

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 3,873

Likes: 13

From: NW Arkansas

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddy33

Never been a problem until last weeks trip to AZ when we ran into a few miles of them on the Devils Highway. Most were in the switchback turns which makes for an .... interesting ride.

I've noticed that my FXDL with Avon Venoms seems to handle them better than the RG with stock Dunlops.

You are so right! The stock dunlops don't do well on them at all!!! Had Avons on my Heritage and snakes weren't too noticeable. After switching to the Elite III on the Ultra, I noticed a big improvement with them also. My buddy switched to the Michelin tire and says the tar snakes are hardly noticeable now. I've decided it must be a problem only with stock tires.

Jun 2, 2012 | 01:58 AM

#40

johnstonab

Intermediate

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 48

Likes: 26

From: VA

My ride to work in MD is covered with them, some areas there are more snakes than asphault, even on curves. Fortunately where i work is in the Amish country and we have wiiiide shoulders, that dont have the tar snakes. after almost loosing it on my yamahog on a curve, I ride the shoulder when its open. they still scare the heck outta me.