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Tourer
Posts: 460
| Hello All
While out riding i ran over a bunch of Tar Snakes on the road and it was a good thing that I had both hands on the sterring wheel at the time. The front end of the bike felt like it was woobbling off. It happened so fast that I barley had time to think before it was over. Has anybody else experienced this problem with stock tires.  |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | there will be a bunch of singers coming on soon about this very subject, a very nice medley.
As for me, I would rather ride a tar snake on a Vision than on an '84 GoldWing. Two half dollar size contact on a 1,000lb machine moving at 60mph across a strip of tar in a near fluid state will never be the ideal riding condition, on any tire or any bike. JMHO 
Edited by varyder 2010-06-08 8:26 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| What do you expect the bike to do? Maybe you should contact your DOT and make sure they are covering the tar with sand? Or get them to do like CT and lay lots of new asphalt. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 194
Buford, GA United States | The Vision will feel like it is wobbling out of control until you get used to it. The first time on the interstate I didn't like the feel either as it felt loose once you got about 80mph but that is the Vision. Once I let it go and lightened up my grip I don't have a problem, it is just a different ride than other bikes. The first few times I tried to force the bike to keep still (a I perceived still to be) it fought back but now that I am used to the Vision ride (29,000 miles) I am sure it will feel different if I were to get on a "regular" bike. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | Just. Asking... why would a tar snake be different on a vision vs any other bike? Isn't it more about the make and model and condition of the tires? The tires are what's touching the tar snakes..? Right? My point is, its not the visions fault for how the tires react to hot tar on the road is it? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I hesitate to answer your question as I don't have the concern, but others do. Aas the Joker points out, the Vision is different and is to be rode different, that has been my experience from day one.
I've also encountered that if things don't feel right, it is because something is wrong. This could be tires, bearings, wheels and steering, or bushings. All of these make the Vision ride out of character and needs to be corrected. Beyond that, I'm with you, as there is nothing, too me, that will make the Vision over react to a tar snake, if anything it handles them better than anything I've rode. It could be that the wrong thing is getting the blame. |
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | I have not noticed any difference in the way the Vision handles the tar snakes as opposed to other bikes I have owned. You are on two wheels, and you ride over anything slippery, you are going to have problems... Just my 2 cents. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 160
Lennox, SD | Tar snakes are fine, I have gotten used to them on this trip.
Looking back I know the tar snakes were an issue with every bike I have owned.
The Vision is no different the road feel is just a little different than others.
1600 miles so far and 1200 more to go. We will be home in a week.
I did have a Gold Winger stop to see what that bike was that he could not loose on the way to the Grand Canyon north rim this morning. He said usually the only thing that will hang with him is another wing.
Edited by Kioti 2010-06-08 9:20 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 247
| what is a tar snake. i keep seeing the reference and i havent had the issue. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 233
flagstaff, AZ | Had a Jackpot before the Vision, both handle the snakes same to me. here is a photo of tar snakes.
(2009_11290161 (Small).JPG)
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 2009_11290161 (Small).JPG (64KB - 0 downloads)
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Cruiser
Posts: 284
mansfield, MA United States | I find the tar snakes bad this time of the year. In the winter the salt seems to help but the heat and cleaner roads make them slippery. Any bike will be affected! I have had 2 real bad slips but the Vision pulled me back up both times. It scarred the hell out of me when it happened! I have almost 35K on it in 1 1/2 years. Both times it happened I had just come back from a long ride 1K + and the tires had flattened (not low on air but a flat strip about 1" wide on tire) from highway riding. I think this could be one of the reasons it happens. I need to find more corners lol
Edited by Fastfred 2010-06-09 7:32 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | It seems the Vision is somehow more squirrelly on tar snakes than other bikes I've ridden, but so far so good. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 35
St. Charles, MO | I never noticed any difference until I read about them on here.
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | around here it's enough looking out for real snakes. I saw two on the road and I didn't want the guts to hit them. I like the idea of installing the Tar Snake Bit Kit the next time the tires are changed. It is a Vision exclusive product. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 137
Houston, Texas | You will encounter Tar Snakes at some point and time so my best advice is to wear Tar Snake Proof Boots and as Clint Eastwood said in "Heartbreak Ridge"; ADAPT, OVERCOME, IMPROVISE ...
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | This being my first bike with radial tires I have no comparison to work from other than the stiff and narrow Metzlers on my airhead Beemer.
My short wheel based model was so notorious for unforgiving handling that BMW grafted an extra 1.5" into the swing arm starting the year after mine was built. On my bike everything has to be in perfect alignment or evil stuff can happen. I use a plate of glass to align the triple clamps before tightening everything up anytime the front end has to be disassembled.
I wonder if the handling differences you are noticing on tar snakes may not be more attributable to the differences between radial and bias ply tires than to the Vision's frame geometry (assuming the front end is squared away and the rear wheel is properly aligned).
Radials have more flexible sidewalls than bias tires, and modern tires like the E3 have stickier rubber compounds (compared to traditional bias touring tires) as well.
Just a thought. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 156
dinwiddie, va | I have never had any issue with riding over tar snakes or whatever you guys call them. Maybe some are just more comfortable on the bikes then others also? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | hey nv, I know where there are some good tar snakes, want to see who can take them the fastest??? 
Edited by varyder 2010-06-10 9:09 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | Went riding this past weekend, and purposely rode over and threw tar snakes to check the Visions handling on them. The air temp was in the mid 70's, so it wasn't hot. But I noticed NO difference whether I was on the little rascals or not. My speed was between 20 and 65 mph, both straight a ways and corners. My tires are not new, they have about 5,000 miles on them.
Just my observations. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | The KEY is DO NOT REACT - by the time your commands go from your brain to your muscles in your fingers/arms you are past the 'snake' and on to the next one(s) - let the bike do it's thing - the Vision does it well - it wiggles a little (which is what makes you want to do something) then it FIXES ITSELF !!! - Leave it alone - this also applies to wind blasts - cross winds - passing semis and so one.
Your reaction can make the situation worse - like a 'tank slapper'.....
This advice is true on ALL the bikes I have owned. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 132
Durango, Colorado | I wonder......Do Tar Snakes taste like chicken? Kidding aside, I was on a ride through Utah...Capitol Reef to Boulder I believe and that mountain pass was infested with them. I was on a Shadow at the time and my riding pard was on a K1200LT. He was scared to death a couple of times and I barely noticed them. So I do believe the bike design does have something to do with it. I have no bad experience with them on the Vision........(Looking for wood to knock on) paulhu
Edited by paulhu 2010-06-21 3:39 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | paulhu - 2010-06-21 1:33 PM I wonder......Do Tar Snakes taste like chicken? Kidding aside, I was on a ride through Utah...Capitol Reef to Boulder I believe and that mountain pass was infested with them. I was on a Shadow at the time and my riding pard was on a K1200LT. He was scared to death a couple of times and I barely noticed them. So I do believe the bike design does have something to do with it. I have no bad experience with them on the Vision........(Looking for wood to knock on) paulhu Could it be you did what I suggested? IGNORE THEM and he did what I suggested you don't do? REACT .... that is - NOT the bike - it's the RIDER ! |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | I have ridden Harleys for well over 20 years (and still occasionally ride my Road King) and have been riding my Vision for almost 2 years. Personally I have never noticed a difference between the Harley and the Vision over tar snakes. The only difference I have ever noticed is that tar snakes are more slippery on hot days than cold (no brainer there), and that everything seems to slip a bit more as tires get close to the end of their service life, but neither is related to the type of bike I am riding.
While I don't doubt that some here experience problems with tar snakes, I personally have not, nor have I seen a difference between a Harley and the Vision (at least relative to this issue). But that's just my own experience. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I rode about 5o miles of tar snakes in NC without issue. The temp was about 94 or so. However, the Va ones are what you look out for, those are some mean sons of a pitch...
Edited by varyder 2010-06-21 8:06 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | donetracey - 2010-06-21 2:30 PM
Your reaction can make the situation worse - like a 'tank slapper'.....
Uh Oh. Just bought the 'tank slapper', but have not yet installed. Is there a problem? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Earlier Teach had mentioned that Pennsylvania had changed the compound used to patch the roads as a direct result of motorcycle safety issues with tar snakes.
I can't speak from a ton of riding experience, and I'm not saying that tar snakes are not a problem, but I do think that a lot has to do with the anticipation of the rider. I never considered riding in the rain to be any different then any other time until I slid across the center line one day on a curve in a light rain at near freezing. I can't tell you how many times since then I have felt like the bike was starting to slide on a wet curve. If I can overcome the anticipation and test my traction there really is no issue. The mind is a dangerous thing. Then again maybe it's just mine. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Boots - 2010-06-21 6:19 PM donetracey - 2010-06-21 2:30 PM Your reaction can make the situation worse - like a 'tank slapper'..... Uh Oh. Just bought the 'tank slapper', but have not yet installed. Is there a problem? All bikers know what a "tank slapper" is, right? That's when your front wheel turns past the max and the handlebars hit the tank on one side, then the wheel goes to the max in the other direction and the bars hit the other side of the tank. I have had occasions where I have had several 'slaps' - left - right - left - and stayed upright..... |
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | donetracey - 2010-06-21 8:14 PM
All bikers know what a "tank slapper" is, right?
Guess I do now...
Edited by Boots 2010-06-21 9:34 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 247
| i didn't know what a tar snakes were until someone posted a picture. these are things i usually avoid when i can. went out on an 80 degree day and ran about 5 miles on purpose. didn't notice anything funny. |
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Tourer
Posts: 374
Tucson, AZ | It all depends on where you ride. Different states us different crack sealers, the more change in weather the heavier the filler. Here in southern Az. I never had a problem, but last week in Colorado and Utah I encountered some that made me think WTF....sometimes you can position yourself to miss most of them, others the road is more cracked. So as stated, be aware but to the point of going white knuckled...
mike |
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Cruiser
Posts: 132
Durango, Colorado | donetracey - 2010-06-21 8:14 PM Boots - 2010-06-21 6:19 PM donetracey - 2010-06-21 2:30 PM Your reaction can make the situation worse - like a 'tank slapper'..... Uh Oh. Just bought the 'tank slapper', but have not yet installed. Is there a problem? All bikers know what a "tank slapper" is, right? That's when your front wheel turns past the max and the handlebars hit the tank on one side, then the wheel goes to the max in the other direction and the bars hit the other side of the tank. I have had occasions where I have had several 'slaps' - left - right - left - and stayed upright..... Keep my tank slapper safely tucked away in my pants. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | I ran over a real snake the other day, copperhead killed the hell out of it.................ha............ |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | donetracey - 2010-06-21 10:14 PM
Boots - 2010-06-21 6:19 PM donetracey - 2010-06-21 2:30 PM Your reaction can make the situation worse - like a 'tank slapper'..... Uh Oh. Just bought the 'tank slapper', but have not yet installed. Is there a problem? All bikers know what a "tank slapper" is, right? That's when your front wheel turns past the max and the handlebars hit the tank on one side, then the wheel goes to the max in the other direction and the bars hit the other side of the tank. I have had occasions where I have had several 'slaps' - left - right - left -?and stayed upright.....
I gotta say, I hope I never experience a tank slapper. That sounds like it's going to leave skid marks in multiple locations.
Ride safe guys. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I've never done the tank slapper yet, but I've suffered through many of helmet slappers.... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 154
Cabot Arkansas | My wife and I rode our Vision's on a multi-state trip out west last year and I will say that Colorado had the WORST tar snakes for making you go WTF of any state I've ridden in. (29 and counting) 
Edited by Maverick 2010-06-22 2:27 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 284
mansfield, MA United States | It's all over. nothing new and not just the Vision that has the problem. Here is a video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQZp0AGEr3g |
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Cruiser
Posts: 271
Belding Michigan | I hit a tar snake in the mountians in CA a few years back on my 1800 wing the bike moved 10 feet sideways or at least a few inches scared the pee out of me and my wife. I never looked at a curvey mountian road on a hot days the same. I have not had that problem with the Vision but don't live int mountians anymore. Michigan has a notable lack of mountians. Archie |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | A couple of comments. The BAD tar snakes are the ones that protrude up from the road. You can actually feel these on the suspension when you run them over. The ones that roundtwig posted look flat / older. I typically don't feel these, wet, dry, hot or cold. I personally think the Dunlop E3s are the problem. The E3s have wide, wave style grooves in them. Can't remember the tire my Kingpin had, but I remember that it did have a lot of grooves and was more box cut from a tread perspective. I think this would help to bite into the tar better than the E3 racing slicks we have. There aren't any tires in our rear tire size that have a more aggressive tread pattern to them (at least not significant enough). |
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Hartland, , WI | kodonnell1 - 2010-06-08 6:51 AM
Hello All
While out riding i ran over a bunch of Tar Snakes on the road and it was a good thing that I had both hands on the sterring wheel at the time. The front end of the bike felt like it was woobbling off. It happened so fast that I barley had time to think before it was over. Has anybody else experienced this problem with stock tires.
The tar snakes I deal with that get me nervy is when it is hot enough up that when you go over them...they are so soft that the tar snake moves...not the tire loosing grip on the tar. I hate them! That feeling during the micro-second when you loose control sucks! |
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | I had a rattlesnake coil and strike my boot on the road going to the Badlands park just outside on Wall SD while riding just after dark. THAT scared the shit out of me. Mean snake that was. |
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