Tar snakes

[TCMike]

This isn't news to us seasoned riders, but I was surprised to see it in our local paper. They suspect tar snakes as the culprit in a local LEO's death, of course being the tough guy HD rider he was, he also opted not to wear a brain bucket.

sneaky snakes

 

[zenwhipper]

I have not thought much about these things over my 11 years of riding. But, I do know they are a hazard. One day I was riding up to Sunrise on Mt Rainier and that road has some great twisties. Well, it also has a lot of tar snakes. It really sucked. I could feel my front slip several times. But as I said over the years I can't recall worrying too much (or even seeing these things) and I have ridden from Seattle to Montana many times, I've been to Reno from Seattle a few times and I go into Canada as well. Maybe certain locales or state DOTs use tar snakes more than others? But I do agree they suck and we need to be cautious out there on them. The road to Sunrise is in the Mt Rainier National Park and maybe they use these things to keep the road in ok shape since its tough to repave and costly in a National Park.

Scott

 

[James Burleigh]

Tar snakes are trecherous when it's cold and when it's hot, the little bastards.

Best part of the article: Quotes by motorcycle safety author extraordinaire, Pat Hahn: ""Wearing protective gear can really take the bite out of small mistakes," said Pat Hahn, information officer with the state Department of Public Safety. "Protective gear can change a life-changing experience into a learning experience."

His book Ride Hard, Ride Smart is one of my favorites. He's buddies with the guy I'm co-authoring some articles with about commuting by motorcycle, and who in fact has commented on our first article. Next time I get out to visit my son in Minneapolis I'm going to try to meet him.

 

[dbvolfan]

Yeah, there are little tar snakes on a slight uphill RH sweeper that give my PR2 fits the 1st two times I came through there. After that I smartend up and was more careful. Sneaky little bastards! I never noticed them before I put on PR2's though.

 

[wnyfjr]

We have tar snakes around Western New York, as well as chip seal. Both are ways the cash-strapped state saves money. In the summer in the cage, you can hear the tar sticking to the tires when you run over them. Tar snakes I can deal with as I can usually see them coming, but I try to avoid chip-sealed roads for about a month until most of the marbles have been worn off.

 

[wfooshee]

I just don't understand the no-helmet mentality. I feel funny moving the bike from the driveway to the garage with no gear! And I know for a fact that I can still chew my own food and speak clearly because I was wearing a full-face in my first crash, a very slow low-side in sand and gravel, but it was a face-plant.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

I just don't understand the no-helmet mentality. I feel funny moving the bike from the driveway to the garage with no gear!

Ditto.

 

[timk]

My FJR feels OK in corners with the snakes, but a real pucker facter happens with my Rd, or the wifeys Savage. Really don't know why, maybe radials??????????????

 

[Bounce]

Do a google on "plasticized crack sealant". It application by many states is not in compliance with manufacturer guidelines.