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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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!

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.