A video from the Tail of the Dragon

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Sep 30, 2009 | 12:43 PM

#31

mtnlvr

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,276

Likes: 8

From: Minneapolis Area, MN

Yup.

http://www.moonshinephoto.com/
http://www.us129photos.com/
http://www.zeefoto.com/
http://www.killboy.com/

If you rode the dragon during daylight hours, chances are that more than 1 of these outfits got a shot or 8 of you.

Oct 3, 2009 | 02:11 PM

#32

Chaz in TN

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 614

Likes: 0

From: Knoxville

Again, Thanks for sharing! Great video...that road is a very memorable experience that everyone should do just once in their lives!

Oct 3, 2009 | 02:41 PM

#33

Heritage123

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 158

Likes: 0

From: Southern Ohio

Great video! I’ve been there more times than I can count. The Dragon is something to be respected; one of those things where one little mistake can result in major catastrophe. I’ve seen many, many accidents in the many times I’ve been there. You would think it would be the crotch rocket guys, but it’s mostly the big cruisers. Too much bike + too much speed + too little experience. BANG! – YOU’RE DOA!

Oct 6, 2009 | 09:11 PM

#34

jasle

Cruiser

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 177

Likes: 44

From: PA

I'm a long time rider...but short time harley owner. I can attest that riding a harley through the twisties is quite a bit harder than most any bike I've had. Probably only my water buffalo was harder to turn...I love my harley but brakes and lack of ground clearance make it not my choice for flying through the switchbacks. I'd love to do do the Dragon run...slowly. Practice does help and riders courses are worth their weight in gold...Even picking up Keith Codes twist of the wrist series can help even if you not roadracing. the concepts are the same.

Jeff...what the guy was alluding to about your riding attire is lack of protective gear. When riding sporting roads your chance of falling over increases. Wearing a cutoff shirt and no gloves will plain hurt. Anyone that has lowsided, or high sided will tell you your hands almost always hit first...That being said gloves go a LONG way to protecting those. I cannot honestly say I wear my jacket 100% of the time...but about 90% Even when commuting in Phoenix in 116deg weather I work a full armored jacket with gloves...To each his own I guess but when riding sporting type roads I choose to dress for the crash, just in case. But hey My dad won't wear a helmet for anything and my father in law died not wearing a helmet so I understand both sides of the spectrum...Have fun and stay safe.

Oct 8, 2009 | 09:13 AM

#35

DuraGlide

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 1,895

Likes: 121

From: Southern WV

Thanks for the vid. Lets me know I ain't missing a thing by not riding the Dragon. I can go any direction from my house and get the same kind of road with less traffic and fewer idiots to deal with.

Attached Thumbnails

A video from the Tail of the Dragon-p1010004.jpg

Oct 8, 2009 | 12:21 PM

#36

mtnlvr

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1,276

Likes: 8

From: Minneapolis Area, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuraGlide

Thanks for the vid. Lets me know I ain't missing a thing by not riding the Dragon. I can go any direction from my house and get the same kind of road with less traffic and fewer idiots to deal with.

Albeit minus the professional photographers.

I rode literally around 1000 miles of super-twistie, elevation changing, scenic roads last month and for some reason the Dragon was different to me. It was easy to find twistie roads, but very few were in as good of condition (smooth, predictable surface) or as clean (rock free) as the Dragon. That and all of the other 2-wheeled comaraderie made it a little more of a unique experience for me.

The traffic does take away from the experience though. Ride it on weekdays and earlier in the day for less traffic.

Oct 9, 2009 | 01:01 AM

#37

Pops

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 659

Likes: 1

From: Alaska

Thanks for the post along with the video! I am glad that you and the missus are safe and enjoyed the ride! After reading the many comments initially I was a little taken back but as I continued to read through them it became obvious that most of them really cared about another rider and his wife. Oh I forgot to mention we don't have a road here in Alaska like that. Thanks again for the video....

Oct 13, 2009 | 12:53 AM

#38

LarryV

Novice

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 20

Likes: 0

From: Georgia

Nice video. Thanks for sharing it. I've ridden the Dragon 3 times and that's enough for me. It curves are so many and so tight, I can't get into a rythmn and end up riding too slow or too fast and scaring crap out of myself. I prefer Highway 28 South from Deals Gap and on up to Highlands, NC. Other than the Blue Ridge Parkway, Hwy 28 from Franklin to Highlands is my favorite road. Unbelievable views, waterfalls, nice sweeping curves and deep valleys capped off by the beautiful town of Highlands.