Never encountered a road gator myself, but have seen fine shredded pieces everywhere on the road.

Went over a folding table that flew in the air and hit the pavement in Indiana on my way to Sturgis '06. Scared the crap outta me.

Was riding behind a SUV with so much crap on it's roof on a 4 lane highway. My guts had told me to stay behind about 2-3 cars length then 2 lawn chairs flew in the air as I had to change lanes immediately. Good thing I was paying attention.

Thorey

 

Good thing you had a windshield!

 

Riding down I-35 years ago in rush hour traffic when the car in front of me swerved over to the next lane. Now I am looking at a couch and box spring matress. I still do not how to this day, but I was able to swerve through them somehow. Watched in my mirror as the car behind me hit them head on. Ugly site. I hate riding in traffic. Your
ability to see objects ahead of time and reaction options are limited.

 

As a commercial vehicle officer and since I got back into riding, I write every driver I can a ticket for driving on blown tires. They will blow a tire and then they want to drive 100 miles to their favorite truck stop before changing it. But they are in disbelief why I would write them a ticket for a flat tire?

 

Thank you Keitht! I have had 2 vehicles damaged by pieces off of these shredded tires. Don't even want to think about hitting them on my bike. I know truckers do not have control over when these things blow, but knowingly driving with one flat, you know it is going to eventually shred.

 

On my way home in a torential rain,70mph,passing a tractor trailer hit a huge piece,sounded like it did major damage.

 

I run a truck shop and believe me I chew these guys out that roll on these tires when flat because they become a danger to us in the shop also.They have a weak sidewall after being run really low or flat and form what they call a zipper they can explode at any time during inflation after repair.The only tip off is if you hear a sound like sizzling bacon,means stop inflating right away!!

 

An extra mention about trucks and construction vehicles is rocks. Even if the tires are fine, for every retread thrown off, there are a thousand pebbles thrown first, especially by garbage trucks, dumps, equipment haulers and anything that gets into dirt or unpaved roadways.
I've seen a windshield broken on a bike from that, thankfully not mine.
And the truckers appreciate you when you give them room too.

 

Hate to burst your bubble; but a recap blowing off is not virgin or new. It may be new tread, but the casing itself is used.

And most trucking companies aren't buying tires made in the USA.

 

Avoid trucks at all times...with the depressed economy, most trucking companies are trying to cut costs everywhere to maintain cost per mile...tires included. Most blowouts are caused by improper inflation (driver's responsibility)...see one coming apart call the law.

Get around them or lay back from them.

Had a tread come off and land on the hood of my Gran Prix several years back while crossing the Texas panhandle...unavoidable in traffic, but my dumb butt shouldn't have been so close.