Doing the tail of the dragon....

D

deadite21

New member
I'm planning on doing the tail of the dragon sometime between the 28 of Sep and the 2nd of oct before going to Afghanistan. Is anyone nearby or interested just PM me so we can make arrangements. It will be my 1st time, so I do not know what to expect. I'm open to suggestions or do's and don'ts.
I really want to do it this time. I have been on deployments before (Balkans and Iraq) and everything is new and so on, but this time I want to do as much as I can before I go. Just in case!!
 
plenty on youtube about that place.both for cars and bikes.had a friend to spent seven years in usa,and raved about it.i from what ive seen, suggest its likely safer and not as crowded during the week days.a lot of those good roads tend to attract too many week end warriors and blazing flashing lights . hj
 
I have done it a couple of time and really enjoyed it. I would suggest going during the early part of the week. It starts to get crowded on Friday. Saturday and Sundays are insane. The area is very heavily patrolled on the weekend as well. I recommend doing a test run to see where the cops are first. They will ticket you for anything they can. If you go 1 mph over the speed limit, cross the yellow line, I have even been told they will pull you over and check the tread on the tires. I was there in April and it was not that bad but be careful. Also, watch out for the Harley type bike that think they can turn like a sport bike. I have seen them come over into my lane many many times. I'm heading up that way Oct 1st.

Trey
 
I've been there many time and the best advise I can give you, is to realize this is not a forgiving road. Ride WELL within you limits. If you make a mistake, it could be very serious. And no back brake! Make sure you have all the right paperwork, insurance etc as it is all required.

Ride safe....
Don
 
Been there a couple times. Visit youtube for any questions you may have about the road. Very dangerous but a must experience for a sport bike rider. www.dealsgap/forum.com is were you'll find all the local squids and weekend warriors yakin about there lap times and first timers to the Dragon.

I doubt I will ever go again since it is like playin roulette. You are always pushing yourself to lean more and go faster and that is not the place you want to learn skills.

Be careful , have fun ,go at your own pace , and don't stay long. Like standing on a frozen lake...it will eventually break the longer you stand there.
 
Well, I don't think it's quite as bad as others have made it out to be. Most decidedly, it is an unforgiving road. There have been some fatalities this year but mostly from folks riding outside of their limits. If you want a pictoral lessen of what to do and not to do, try Killboy.com.

Although I am nowhere close to being a local, I have ridden the Gap many times. It's in one of my favorite areas of the country. The police can be a little excessive but recently it looks like they've been behaving themselves. Do watch out for vehicles of all types crossing the double yellow. If you need a place to stay I recommend the Tapico Inn although there are other fine places to stay that are just as motorcycle friendly. Lots of other great roads to ride as well. Rt. 28, the Cherohola come immediately to mind.

It's beautiful country and the trees will be turning colors soon which attracts tons of tourists (RVs). Get there before that. But remember to ride your ride and not get too absorbed in site seeing while under way. Pull off and enjoy the beauty.

Also, thanks for your service to our country. Stay safe over there and come back for more riding.
 
Its a great time. Just make sure you're comfortable with downhill hairpins and just take your time. It really is a beautiful road. It's not as if it has corners you've never experienced before, it's just that it's relentlessly one after another. If you don't ride like an ass you won't have a problem with cops. There's just too many bikers for them to "go after everyone." A lot of the surrounding roads are fantastic too!
 
I have never ridden the dragon but I plan on it one day. I rode on some great roads around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg back in 2001 on my 2000 ZX9R. It was a blast to ride in the mountains. I enjoyed going up hill alot more than downhill. I remember having alot of weight on my wrist and about wore out my brakes. Sooner or later, me and my Duc will hit Deals Gap. Can't wait!!!
 
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