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Tail of the Dragon

1K views 14 replies 12 participants last post by  dhoffman 
#1 ·
Hey all I'm heading from Fargo, ND down to the Tail of the Dragon come May 27th - anybody that has any suggestions as to how to ride it that has been on it please feel free to comment! :super:
 
#3 ·
It's a shame that you can't make your plans for the weekend before you are going. Bunch of Ga. and NC 9'ers will be there and they could show you the ropes. Also, FYI there was a bad rock slide on the Dragon, that may or may not be cleared by that time. You can still ride the Dragon, but you can't go completely through. I hear that the POPO is really watching how people ride right now. The thought of you being able to come the 20-22 would give you a chance to be with a bunch of 9's and some sharp ones at that. Maybe you could keep up and maybe not.hehe. The Dragon is really overrated, but the hellbender and Cheraholla Skyway are awesome. If you can't change your plans, be careful and have a safe trip. John
 
#4 ·
LOL :agree: Thanks Parker -words of wisdom - I'll do what I can not to crash :bigthumbsup: The reason I ask cuz it seems some of the biggest problems there is semi's driving that road (I've road curves b4 and am aggressive just not with semi's blocking my way on a blind corner)
I wish I could go down there the weekend before but I'm riding with a buncha H:edit:ly riders so I'm kinda set on their schedule cuz they asked me to come with otherwise I would be down there the weekend before to gawk at all the pretty 9's! If it wasn't 1300 miles :eek: one way for me to get there I'd go by myself :bigthumbsup:
 
#5 ·
I went through there Oct. of '08. Pretty fun ride without pushing it. At normal cruising speeds, I was scraping pegs on both sides with it being worse on the steeper uphill turns. Watch how much you are riding the brakes... use the trans in a lower gear to keep things slowed down. Main thing is just keep your eyes open for other riders. Semi's aren't allowed through there from what I understand. Didn't see any when I was there. Very few cars at that. We were through there on a wednesday though. Try to stick together with the other riders you are with. It doesn't take much to get split up. If the last rider goes down, it could be a while to find where and when. Good luck and have fun. If you go through frankfort, KY stop in "the dragon" and say hi to the hot blonde czech bartender for me. :D
 
#6 ·
My husband and I tamed the Dragon in September 2007, and it was a blast! The best advice I could give someone riding the Dragon for the first time is to ride your OWN ride! Don't try to keep up with someone else, or allow sport bike riders coming up fast behind you push you to ride faster than you're comfortable. Trust me, if you slide over to the right a little, they'll pass you as soon as they can. ;)

Be VERY careful about riding near or on the center line because cars, trucks and worst of all 18-wheelers could meet you on the line around any one of the blind turns. I suggest you visit the Dragon website and read through it (and look at the pictures...especially "Trucks on the Dragon") carefully and thoroughly!

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

HAVE FUN AND STAY SAFE! :bigthumbsup:
 
#7 ·
I did it like this

1. Stayed to the right away from the center line.

2. Took it easy because the corners can sneak up on you.

3. WATCH OUT for tractor trailers.
 
#9 ·
Baasen, my wife and myself are hoping to be leaving from Sioux Falls, SD around the same time. It all depends on when we get home from being deployed. If it would work out it would be great to meet up and ride with someone else. We are planning on taking all back roads and camping the whole trip. Let us know if you would like to join us.
 
#11 ·
there are alot of crazies out there and not only on bikes. watch for cars and bikes crossing the center line. My last time there was on a Busa, i would really like to take a cruiser and enjoy the sites a bit more. There are a few other nice rides other than the dragon.
 
#12 ·
:beer3: I appreciate all the replies from you guys - I mainly wanted some input from some fellow 9 riders :bigthumbsup:

JGEDMIN: We might actually be heading through Frankfort, KY on our way accross but I'm not sure - if so I'll tell the hot little czech that your thinkin' about her ;)

DHOFFMAN: I was just in Fort Leonardwood, MO a month ago for a graduation! We are leaving the 27th and should be down there later in the afternoon on the 28th - not sure if we are riding it Friday but after 1300 miles but for sure all day Saturday! You can meet up with us if you want or throw a friendly wave as if you see a red 9 with a black V-stream windshield :a18:

JOSHJAF: First I want to welcome you and your wife back from deployment :welcome: and God Bless you made it home safe :bow:! Second - you guys are more than welcome to meet up with us (the more the better) :bigthumbsup: I will be with about 7 or 8 other bikes and some are brining their wives so it's all good you guys are welcome to come with! I will be leaving Fargo the morning of the 27th with 3 of others and heading to Winona, MN where we are meeting the rest - should be there about 1 or 2 p.m.! Coming from Sioux Falls you should be able to take HWY 90 straight East and it should take you right to Winona, east of Rochester! If you guys are there on time we will all head out and head south another 5 or 6 hours if not longer and stay in a hotel the first night then we are camping the rest! We are heading back on Sunday and hope to be back Monday if you guys are staying longer no prob but it's always a blast to ride with a group if only on the way there ;) And like I said I'm gathering we are caming on the Tail for 2 of those nights - there might be some beer, camp fires, and stories involved :beer2:

To those that are interested in meeting up shoot me a Private Message and I'll get you my phone number - I'd put it on here but ya never know who's watchin' :dontknow:
 
#13 ·
DHOFFMAN: I was just in Fort Leonardwood, MO a month ago for a graduation! We are leaving the 27th and should be down there later in the afternoon on the 28th - not sure if we are riding it Friday but after 1300 miles but for sure all day Saturday! You can meet up with us if you want or throw a friendly wave as if you see a red 9 with a black V-stream windshield :a18:

If you are ever in town again hit me up and we can ride.
 
#15 ·
Bassen....we are leaving Missouri early on the 28th. I am riding with a few old guys on Harleys so I'm not sure how long it will take us to get there:joke: but I will be there!! I ride a black 9 with vstream. Look forward to seeing you on the Dragon! It should be a great ride, and since its closed on one end....no big rigs to contend with!

The way I understand it, you can ride in from the NC side and ride the full 11 miles, but have to turn around and ride out same way you came in
 
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