This is what you DON'T do at the dragon!!!

[Sam Mac]

This rider did three things wrong.

First he took the wrong track into the corner. By that I mean he started on the inside of the curve. Doing so put him to the outside of the curve too late to make the corner without crossing the line. You need to always start a corner at the outside edge of a turn and then tighten it as you go into it to avoid an oncoming vehicle from crossing over into your lane.

At the same time he was not paying attention to the road -- but rather giving attention to the camera person.

Lastly, once he realized he came to the outside of the corner, and couldn't lean any more, the turned his head and looked right at the "vet" -- which straightened-up the bike and put him right into what he was looking at. He should have turned his head further to the right at the section of the road where he needed to go. He might have had a slim chance of making it, but for certain, he would have missed the "vet" -- mostly because of the efforts of the vet-driver pulling off to his right.

If there is ever anything one needs to learn about riding, it is that you must look at where you want to go at all times... because you WILL go where you look. If you look at the ditch... you'll go into the ditch. If you look at the other lane... you'll go into the other lane.

EDIT: Here are two links that explain what I am saying.

http://easttnbikers.com/forum/index....h=7828%3bimage

http://www.soundrider.com/archive/sa...lls/RS-cc2.htm

You are 100% correct in every statement. Hope many of the others read what you said.

[blacklightning]

Here is another photo of a guy that circulated on the M109riders site. He recovered, but with my old bones, I would still be sore. I have ridden the Dragon more than I can count. Even taken some right handers low enough for my cobra swepts to drag and slightly lift the rear tire. But when this happens, I know it is time to reign the hooligan in me in a little bit. I also study my photos over the past 8 years (go atleast once a year). The first year, I looked for, and at the photographer, and notice that I almost always cross the line after doing that. Now, when I see the tents, I intentionally make myself not look at him and instead pay close attention to the road and oncoming traffic. It makes for a much nicer picture.

thumb_1402612841CP_N5195.jpg

oh crap.jpg

129AlmostCrash3.jpg

[ARtraveler]

One reason the "Dragon" is not on my bucket list. When I get the urge, there are a couple "Dragon" style roads I can go on. Most of the time, no traffic, so don't have to worry about the "other guy."

Also, one reason I don't do group rides any more. I keep it between the lines, but you cannot always count on the other drivers. I do not want to be responsible for anyone getting injured.

[trucker1]

always remember the bike goes where you are looking. First rule of bike riding. to bad he didn't learn that in biker one- o- one. But we all do stupid stuff sometimes. Don't we. AND THE PAIN GETS WORST AS WE GET OLDER.

[Chupaca]

It always looks so peaceful and painless in slow motion..hope he was not too badly injured. Do hope he sees the error of his ways and doesn't blame someone/something else...

[Pampurrs]

His mistakes are very apparent, starting with excessive panning for the camera instead of looking ahead and preparing for the upcoming curve. His speed was too high, causing him to have to fight the curve. It appears that he panicked when his bike began scraping, and he responded by reducing the lean which began his travel to the opposing lane. The final mistake was fixing his eyes onto the oncoming vehicle, and we all know what happens when you do that.

I know, I sound like an armchair quarterback, but as an experienced rider, this is what I see.

It's my understanding that his injuries weren't fatal, which is a good thing. I wonder if he continued riding and how he's doing today.

Pam

[Bob Denman]

Over four years old...

[Pampurrs]

Over four years old...

I think we are all intelligent enough to figure that out. Thanks anyway professor.

Pam

[ARtraveler]

Yup! Way old post. Some threads should stay un-resurrected, but for me, the information here seemed relevant. So, I answered again, four years later.

[kep-up]

This rider did three things wrong.

First he took the wrong track into the corner. By that I mean he started on the inside of the curve. Doing so put him to the outside of the curve too late to make the corner without crossing the line. You need to always start a corner at the outside edge of a turn and then tighten it as you go into it to avoid an oncoming vehicle from crossing over into your lane.

At the same time he was not paying attention to the road -- but rather giving attention to the camera person.

Lastly, once he realized he came to the outside of the corner, and couldn't lean any more, the turned his head and looked right at the "vet" -- which straightened-up the bike and put him right into what he was looking at. He should have turned his head further to the right at the section of the road where he needed to go. He might have had a slim chance of making it, but for certain, he would have missed the "vet" -- mostly because of the efforts of the vet-driver pulling off to his right.

If there is ever anything one needs to learn about riding, it is that you must look at where you want to go at all times... because you WILL go where you look. If you look at the ditch... you'll go into the ditch. If you look at the other lane... you'll go into the other lane.

EDIT: Here are two links that explain what I am saying.

http://easttnbikers.com/forum/index....h=7828%3bimage

http://www.soundrider.com/archive/sa...lls/RS-cc2.htm

Believe me, I can attest to all that! Been there, Done that!

[Peter Aawen]

And the info (& warning) is just as relevant today as it was when the OP first went up!! Ignore at your peril!!

Thanks for the reminder!

[Ron2andia]

But bad bike driver.... Hope he ok...

[HayRog]

He still had available lean angle - kept calm and looked through the curve he could have made it.

Of course, I wasn't there so I don't know.

[daveinva]

One reason the "Dragon" is not on my bucket list. When I get the urge, there are a couple "Dragon" style roads I can go on. Most of the time, no traffic, so don't have to worry about the "other guy."

When the Owner's Event was in Maggie Valley a few years back, me and the GF did a group ride around the waterfalls the day before we planned to do the Dragon. That was my first Spyder "group ride"-- and my last. Just too many people doing too many things, not paying attention to the road in front or the people behind.

The next day, for the Dragon, we rode up there at the very crack of dawn, a couple hours before the group rides made their way down. We had the road almost completely to ourselves, and had a blast going up and down it a couple of times. We left right as other riders were starting to crowd it.

Bottom line: The Dragon is like Christmas shopping, you just have to plan ahead and beat the rush and it's a very fun road you'll have to yourself. But if you go at 3 pm on a Saturday in the middle of June, you deserve every bit of stupidity you invited upon yourself.

[Mexican]

And the info (& warning) is just as relevant today as it was when the OP first went up!! Ignore at your peril!!

Thanks for the reminder!

Very well said

[Jimboregon]

This exemplifies why I would never ride a Harley, they don't corner!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

[Bob Denman]

Harleys can corner just fine... if their riders know what they're doing!

[flaggerphil]

He either did not know how to...or forgot how to...counter steer.

I've ridden Triumphs exactly like that one. They're very neutral riding bikes that are forgiving and a dream to ride.

Anyway, both hands on the bars and counter steering when he ran out of lean would have worked wonders.

Shoulda coulda...