Any tips for taming the 'Dragon'?

[ThreeWheels]

OK doing a little research I think I get it.

Out there, there are not many roads that are as big a challenge. This "Tail of the Dragon" is one of them. Thus it gets a lot of attention.

Out in the West we have MANY MANY roads like that all over the place! So I think I get why I am so numb to the entire "Tail of the Dragon" thing and not impressed. It's because out here, it's a norm outside of the cities in just about any rural mountain roads!

Demographics I think

Trust,,,, if I was out there I would want to ride that road! I am sure it is a challenge and to be honest I might have to add it to my bucket list. But in the end I have a feeling I will have been on far more challenging roads already.

Bob

I'd have to say your original point is correct.
The Tail Of The Dragon is a very enjoyable road to ride on and it deserves its reputation, but the geography of the area is such that there are MANY roads in that area that are equally enjoyable. Many of them have names. Devils Triangle (don't do this route during the week, the coal trucks slow you down incredibly). Cherhola Parkway. Snake. But even plain route 28 is just as nice and has some deep curves and better scenery.
Smokehole Road in West Virginia.

 

[Roadster Renovations]

We tested our Spring Stiffeners last year when I was developing them and it was a blast to ride. I purposely took many of the turns fast enough to raise the inner wheel to make sure the Stiffeners were not going to shift. Like everyone else is suggesting, ride at your skill level and check your bike over. The tree of shame is there at Deal's Gap and has a lot of parts on it. Don't add to it.
One thing I did when I first got the bike was to take it into an empty parking lot and see just how much control the nanny would exert on really tight, fast turns. It is disconcerting the first time she "takes over". It is a very good system and makes us all better riders. (some will probably gripe that she is too strict). Learn your bike. Become skilled at it's operation. You'll do fine! Enjoy yourself!

 

[Highwayman2013]

I'd have to say your original point is correct.
The Tail Of The Dragon is a very enjoyable road to ride on and it deserves its reputation, but the geography of the area is such that there are MANY roads in that area that are equally enjoyable. Many of them have names. Devils Triangle (don't do this route during the week, the coal trucks slow you down incredibly). Cherhola Parkway. Snake. But even plain route 28 is just as nice and has some deep curves and better scenery.
Smokehole Road in West Virginia.

Yep NC 28 is a great road as is the Cherohala Skyway.

 

[jwood4242]

2 cents worth; I found it difficult to just cruise the Dragon like I intended. Much heavier and faster traffic than I had anticipated. I felt pressure to perform and can see how an inexperienced rider could get into trouble.

 

[Buggy]

Watch out for the ruts on the sides of the road caused by water run off. If they grab your front wheel you are in for a ride. I know from experience!

As a nice ride I liked the Cherohala Skyway better!

 

[Mike on a Trike]

Finless, as one who spent most of his life in CA, AND has driven the Dragon on multiple occasions, a couple of thoughts:

1) You are absolutely correct, that the the mountains out west are bigger and craggier than in the east, and there are many fun mountain roads in CA

2) There are many fun twisty rides in the country, but I have never been on any road that is nearly as challenging as the Dragon....it is constant turning back and forth with rolling terrain and on some turns roads that bank away from turns, etc.....not big fast sweepers, but tight hairpins. From my perspective, it is like a rollercoaster. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea as all have different tastes, but I have extremely fond memories. And, as others have said, there are several other roads in the area that have less traffic, are faster with big sweepers that provide an opportunity to take in the beautiful landscape there in the Smokeys.

If you haven't been, take the opportunity sometime and you will discover what the buzz is about.

 

[BikerDoc]

Go do the Snake less traffic and cops. 100 miles north Shadyvalley TN. Same amount of turns.

I thought the Rattler was much better than the dragon

 

[clinard]

Dragon and other roads

Thoughts for riding the Dragon...heavy on the mayo light on the mustard
Ride according to your ability.
If an oncoming rider pats the top of his helmet LEO's ahead.
Dragon Pitt has some outstanding bar-b-que

Other roads worthy of riding:

*The Devils Triangle North of Oak Ridge TN


The hwy 62 and the hwy 330 legs of the ride are pretty tame. However, the 116 connecting leg can get the heart pumping in places.


http://www.devilstriangletn.com/


*The Snake North of Johnson City TN


Centers around Shady Valley Country Store,


http://www.shadyvalleycountrystore.com/


* Back of the Dragon


VA Route 16, two lane road over the three mountains between Marion and Tazewell, Virginia.


http://backofthedragon.com/


*The Diamondback & The Devils Whip Little Switzerland NC


226A is the best part of the loop.


http://www.diamondbacknc.com/


http://www.thedevilnc80.com/store.html


*The Rattler Lake Junaluska, NC to Hot Springs NC


Some folks will add a trip to the Bobarosa Saloon at Del Rio TN onto the ride. Best part of the ride is from Ferguson Supply at Fines Creek NC to Hot Springs NC. Ferguson Supply is a good stop for food, gas and goodies.


*The Wheels Through Time Museum Maggie Valley NC


A really good place to visit. Lots of antique motorcycles that you normally only get to see photos of. Plan on at least 1/2 day or more.


http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/


*The Copperhead Loop Near Ashville, NC


http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/1335/North-Carolina/The-Copperhead-Loop.html


*Six Gap North GA near Blairsville GA.


Worth riding once I wasn't overly impressed by it. Good scenery. One place worth a stop is the grave of "Princess Trahlyta" The web site belows gives the legend. Be sure to take a rock with ya.


http://www.cherokeegold.net/stonepilegap.html


http://www.sixgap.com/


*Moonshiner 28 Starts at the Deals Gap Store.


http://www.moonshiner28.com/

 

[MarkLawson]

Ride it both directions, as it is two different rides on the same road. Ride your ride, not someone else's. Be safe and stay in your lane. Never speed in excess of your visual stopping distance, as there are plenty of blind curves. There are a ton of potential reasons for traffic to come to a stop, including accidents and big rigs that were just following their GPS's and find themselves in a curve too sharp to stay in their lane or stay in the road.

Just keep your eyes open & enjoy!

 

[Deer Slayer]

If you drag body parts, yours or Spyder's you are in trouble!:shocked:

 

[finless]

Bob

 

[Deanna777]

There are many pull-offs on the Tail of the Dragon, if you are holding someone up pull off! STAY IN YOUR LANE! or risk injury. Have fun! Check this site:http://tailofthedragon.com/

Thanks for link to the Tail of the Dragon. Some day I will ride the " The Tail of the Dragon" This is on my bucket list. Deanna

 

[markyodo]

We just did [FONT=verdana, sans-serif]"Ohio's Tail of the Dragon", Ohio SR 555 ("the Triple Nickel") 2 up on an RT SE6.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, sans-serif]This is where the semi auto transmission came in real handy.[/FONT]

[FONT=verdana, sans-serif]The "lean" was critical to my comfort. Looking ahead to where my end point was in the turns. Expecting the unexpected. Plenty of defensive driving on the blind turns.
Overall I was impressed with my stock RT performance. Even with the weight almost at full capacity the Spyder didn't waiver even when pushing the throttle through the tight turns.

Enjoy the ride.[/FONT]

 

[MarkLawson]

There's always Florida...

 

[ARtraveler]

Did one of my Dragon's today. Kept it between 40 and 30 mph depending on where. Posted 35 and 25 depending on where. Met 3 cars in 20 miles. Great day for riding in the mountains. I don't cross the center line and there is no room for error when it comes to the edge. Most of it is cliff and ravine. Slow and safe is the way I like this stretch.

EDIT: I have at least two Dragon Type rides for the North to Alaska travelers. I am going to show them off at normal speeds. There may be some that want to try them "after hours." It will be light here until 2:00 AM or so while they are here.

We will see what they have to say about the Alaska Dragons after they try a ride. :yes:

 

[ARCTIC]

Anyone who's ridden both care to compare the tail of the dragon to bear tooth?

 

[doctorlbug]

For an enjoyable ride

I have a cabin in the area of the dragon and Cherohala.
I have riden both. If you want a leisure scenic view with pull off's just to enjoy the mountains, then hands down its the Cherohala. But if you like being buzzed by crotch rockets in a hurry to nowhere, then go ahead and do the dragon. They are both fun, depending on you mood at the time of the ride.
The Cherohala is 35 miles long, and the dragon is 11 miles long, both have about equal amount of nice curves and turns.

 

[Bob Denman]

There's always Florida...

I LIKE that!! :thumbup:
I'm gonna have to ride the Gator, and get the shirt... :roflblack:

 

[dlby]

CHEROHALA is very nice (5 thumbs)

Tail of Dragon was fun (4 thumbs)

Just get out & get lost in Smokies (off the Charts)

Hard to explain the peace & views in the area

But heck--i can find fun roads anywhere

IT sounds to me like more of us need a Snickers Bar or -----

Just go ride more[emoji41]

 

[donkes]

take your time, enjoy the ride, and do it on a weekday