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[spydglide]

As others have noted, I don't think it's specific to certain tires or bikes, but I've found other things to be more disconcerting.........pea gravel, steel bridge grateing, spilled anti-freeze, oil, etc.  Like Jerry said:  small tire contact needs optimum surface.  spyder

[kerb]

I want to thank all the members for their thoughts on this problem. This has made me look a little deeper and I think I have the answer to my own question. I'd be glad to listen to any comments on my theory. All my riding of the CVO has been on dry roads at temperatures between 40 and 70 F. I've been riding since 1965 but only been on Harleys since 2003. The problem "I believe" is the tire tread design. The CVO uses a D408F front tire that's unlike my other two bikes that use a D402. The D408F does not have the continuous center groove that the D402 has and the 2011 parts cat. shows a Michelin tire having the same center groove. I never felt this sinsation with either of my two bikes having the D402 tire on the same roads and under similar conditions. I'm going to have the "fall away" checked at my 1K maintenance but I'll bet it is OK. Any thoughts?

I would imagine that improper fall-away would be more likely to cause a wobble.. Sounds like what you are experiencing is a slip?
Still, not a bad idea to check it though.
Maybe try a Metzler.  I have several friends who swear by those tires and wouldn't ride anything else.

 

[kraut]

as long as we are talking about those little slip aways on strips of slippery surface: allthough it's  quite disturbing the first time you experience it - but as you realize it's just a second of instability until your tyres have normal grip again and actually nothing serious happens you start to live with these moments easily. When you know the reasons and learn to avoid them in critical situations it's even easier  

[Jared Sallie]

A friend got a new 2009 Ultra and the bigger back tire when driving over a raised up tar snake would hit the raise up part first of make the bike lean away from the raise more than an old Ultra.  Bike would then lean the opposite way going off the other side.  He didn't like the feeling at first but got used to it.  All bike do this but ones with bigger back tire do it a little worse because the tire is contacting the raised part of the road further from the center of the motorcycle causing more lean.

[1abastarsmda]

I think you answered your own question within your question.  The only time you have this problem is when you hit tar snakes.  I've had it happen on every bike I have owned and thus I am cautious anytime I pass over them.

[CVOThunder]

I encountered the same thing with the tar snakes in Utah. Quite unnerving when you feel that front end move around on ya. Didn't encounter the snakes any other place while riding a different bike but I would imagine it would be the same deal.

[16HD117]

I want to thank all the members for their thoughts on this problem. This has made me look a little deeper and I think I have the answer to my own question. I'd be glad to listen to any comments on my theory. All my riding of the CVO has been on dry roads at temperatures between 40 and 70 F. I've been riding since 1965 but only been on Harleys since 2003. The problem "I believe" is the tire tread design. The CVO uses a D408F front tire that's unlike my other two bikes that use a D402. The D408F does not have the continuous center groove that the D402 has and the 2011 parts cat. shows a Michelin tire having the same center groove. I never felt this sinsation with either of my two bikes having the D402 tire on the same roads and under similar conditions. I'm going to have the "fall away" checked at my 1K maintenance but I'll bet it is OK. Any thoughts?

I've had this "squirm' on all bikes I've owned, but my 2011 seems worse than the others.  I also get the squirm when fully loaded and making a 90 degree turn from a stop.  Maybe it does have something to do with the front tire.
  

[cahdbiker]

BubbaBlue, don't forget about when they grind down the old asfalt to resurface. That can be a bear and make your front end squirm around quite a bit.Usually a little nervy but not that bad except for  a patch I encountered  on a side road on my way to Gordon Nebraska and I swear they must have put new teeth in the machine before they ground the surface because that front wheel was all over the place for about 16 miles at no more than 15 MPH. Then of course it rained.Back to your tar snakes, just don't lean too much in wet or hot weather and you will be fine, but I know that first time can psyche you out.CAHDBIKER

[ALRG8TOR]

I think you answered your own question within your question.  The only time you have this problem is when you hit tar snakes.  I've had it happen on every bike I have owned and thus I am cautious anytime I pass over them.

Had the same experience yesterday in a slow curve, very noticeable with my BSR on board plus a mess on the back to clean up when I got home. I will definitely be a little more cautious to avoid these in the future both for the instability and the cleanup.

[Big G in Okieland]

I have not had much of a problem with tar snakes, that is untill we rode the Chief Joseph Hwy in WY last month, I don't know what WY is using to seal the cracks in their roads but it had everyone on pins and needles. When you went around a corner at 20 UNDER the speed limit the front and rear of the bike would slide a couple of inches! NO GOOD!!!

[16HD117]

I have not had much of a problem with tar snakes, that is untill we rode the Chief Joseph Hwy in WY last month, I don't know what WY is using to seal the cracks in their roads but it had everyone on pins and needles. When you went around a corner at 20 UNDER the speed limit the front and rear of the bike would slide a couple of inches! NO GOOD!!!

That's a great ride!
 

[harleyteam]

in NY state , doesn't matter what tire you have.  if those thin little strips of tar are damp, wet,  or warm, it's like riding on ice.

 just try to avoid riding on them for any lenght of time.( not easy to do in NY either, the damn things are everwhere)

[napalm]

Happens alot with wet roads, every time it happens it makes your as- pucker...

napalm

[guppytrash]

X2 on the pucker!!