My biggest concern is not me - it’s people not staying in their lane.
@Dave-sw2dm5 ай бұрын
Yes, you have to ride like everyone coming around the blind curves will be a few feet in your lane.
@joeb7345 ай бұрын
A concern that was validated way too many times when I rode it
@riding2nowhere5 ай бұрын
That's my problem anywhere I ride. Come on people in cars . Slow down, stay in your lane.
@Dave-sw2dm5 ай бұрын
@@riding2nowhere Observe the center line when you ride. If it is worn more in a curve you know people consistently cross it. A good indicator to slow down and go wide.
@riding2nowhere5 ай бұрын
@@Dave-sw2dm that's very good advice
@jerryjones28185 ай бұрын
The road is not dangerous. It is a road. The danger is the Idiots who overdrive their skills.
@DraggonCanoe5 ай бұрын
And the ones who are just simply careless.
@jefferythomas44144 ай бұрын
So, you haven't ridden it. KZbin videos don't do it justice. That road is dangerous and that's a fact Jack.
@jerryjones28184 ай бұрын
@@jefferythomas4414 I assure you that road never jumped up and attacked a single rider Everyone who has ridden has taken a turn too fast, usually in their learning days. That road is very unforgiving of mistakes.
@DraggonCanoe4 ай бұрын
@@jefferythomas4414 Lmao, if you think the dragon is dangerous I can show you hundreds that are within a days drive of it that would give you a heart attack just walking on them.
@jefferythomas44144 ай бұрын
@@DraggonCanoe Cool, pick one, Name it, set yourself up a hotdog cart. Maybe a few t-shirts and sticker or two for sale. After that bask in the American Dream.
@johnsonandsons45 ай бұрын
I've been riding the Dragon for years. I ride there every year from Texas to North Carolina. Every road in that area is a great ride, in both NC and Tennessee. If you are a new or inexperienced rider, don't let your friends talk you into riding the Dragon. You're not only a danger to yourself, you're a danger to me. The biggest danger on the Dragon that has hurt and killed people is Poindexters (inexperienced riders) crossing the yellow line into my lane. I've had some near misses, and if you can't stay in your lane keep your ass off of the Dragon please.
@ronfriedman87405 ай бұрын
Not just inexperienced riders cause wrecks...for me it's the riders that are racing a clock and passing others. I have a nephew that broke an ankle in Suches, GA when someone approaching him low sided & the bike slid across the road and with no time or room to avoid took him out. Thankfully, it was all recorded because the investigating cop was going to issue tickets to both parties until he showed him the video on his GoPro.
@charlespflanze96515 ай бұрын
I used to ride the Dragon all the time in the early to mid 1970's, I lived around a 1/2 hour away from the area. I road a Honda CB450, and I had to modify the exhaust to keep from scraping the pipes on the pavement. Nobody was there, local people drove on it only because they had to be getting from point A to point B and the Dragon was unfortunately in the middle. It was a near primeval wilderness, quiet, peaceful, and spectacular. The road was so poorly engineered that some of the curves were actually reverse banked. Those would take you out quick on a motorcycle if you weren't paying attention. I was usually riding solo and cell phones weren't invented yet. You run off the mountainside playing road racer nobody is there to help you. If nobody can see you and you can't make it out on your own - you'd die in the woods. Simple as that back in the 70's. But that's all changed. Now it's a madhouse of noise, fools, and helicopter ambulances. I'll never go back there until after full scale war erupts in the Mid East and fuel becomes mostly rationed or even unavailable in the US to due to warfare. Fuel at that time will cost the equivalent of ten to 15 bucks a gallon and most all recreational driving stops in America. There's suddenly peace in the valley again and the Dragon is quiet. Then I'll get my old '74 Suzuki TS185 street/dirt bike out of the basement and I'll start riding the Dragon again. The little Suzy can get up to 55 mpg if yer easy on it, and I don't live that far away from the Dragon. It's light enough for an old fart like me to handle it no problem. If I was dictator and had absolute power, I'd have the entire Dragon torn up and converted back to the crazy and very poorly engineered road full of potholes and other surprises it was in the 70's. As dictator, I'd also completely destroy the entire cellphone industry and old fashioned pay phones beside the highway with rotary dials would return. Suck it up and ride like a man without having one of those baby pacifier cell phones stuck in your pants or on the bike. Have an old fashioned adventure when you were truly on your own. There's a lot more to riding than just going fast and making noise.
@DraggonCanoe5 ай бұрын
@@charlespflanze9651 I have been over it a million times, all just like you. I worked with a guy from Andrews who actually lived in Knoxville during the week. He had gone to visit his parents and his dad had a used car business. He loaned him one to get back to Knoxville and into the first mile past Deals Gap the steering wheel came off the column. 10:00 at night on a rainy February night. He had to walk miles in the cold rain to get help. He was lucky he wasn't going fast and a tree stopped him about 20 feet down the bank.
@countrygirl55795 ай бұрын
All the "kids" driving crazy and crossing over the center line is what makes it dangerous. I'm talking about the ones on crotch rockets & driving race cars.
@heathwest37185 ай бұрын
Just rode it today with the great American convoy. All paving is complete. Beautiful smooth road/ride
@iamgermane18 күн бұрын
Complete rubbish if you think a public road is dangerous. People do not know how to ride. They better not get on a mountain bike going through the woods at the same speed!
@varminthunterhobbyist43025 ай бұрын
The best advice for motorcycle riders on the dragon is “you go where you look”.
@gonavi294 ай бұрын
These is not the case, the irresponsable people who drive over the speed limits
@JRoc-su2nm3 ай бұрын
Truth. Target fixation is definitely REAL!
@josephschmidt21835 ай бұрын
We quit riding the dragon there’s just too many low performance riders thinking they’re professionals and nearly took us out several times.
@mldiode5 ай бұрын
Was just on it with my son. It’s all repaved now. The time to ride the dragon is during the week in the morning. The weekends are way too busy. Gas up before you get there as the two gas stations (At Deals gap & Lake Fontana) are way over priced. The roads around the area are very nice as well.
@cedricpieterse72805 ай бұрын
Although The Dragon is an impressive piece of road with nice curves and beautiful scenery. I'd hardly call it the most challenging road on Earth. Ever been to Norway? There are countless mountain passes that are far more impressive than The Dragon. Also, The Alps, Slovenia, Albania, Croatia and many more places I've been to. The one reason The Dragon is dangerous, is all the traffic and lots of careless car drivers and bike riders that go beyond their skill levels.
@helmutwollmersdorfer73145 ай бұрын
Fully agree. Austrian Alps; Italy: South Tyrol (extreme curves), Tuscany, Sardinia; Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia. 35,000 km (20,000 miles) of mountain streets in one year.
@LuckyTown775 ай бұрын
Mongolia
@davej34875 ай бұрын
There are some nice bike roads inside USA that are better than the Dragon. US 97 from California up to the Canadian border has many long sets of curvy roads at 55+ MPH.
@gvoluto28164 ай бұрын
Genau so ist es, in Europa sind solche Strassen normal😊
@dennisodson45725 ай бұрын
Double black diamond lmao. This road ain't shit. It's the other people on the road that make it dangerous.
@steventwiddy34025 ай бұрын
My number 1 tip is if you have to drag your feet in the parking lot don’t ride the dragon 🐉
@Jonathan-L5 ай бұрын
Yeah, I noticed that also. I don't know why people are inclined to do that. If my wheels are turning, my feet are on the bike.
@steventwiddy34025 ай бұрын
@@Jonathan-L i think it’s because they are not very comfortable riding or with that bike
@henrymetevia5215 ай бұрын
I see that ... rode for years . Did the dragon years ago on a chopper . Find myself dragging my feet at stops. At times .
@janisblack21835 ай бұрын
I noticed that too. I can’t stand it when people drag their feet on a motorcycle. It tells me they’re not comfortable on their bike and therefore a hazard. I either get away from them or wait 10 minutes for them to get way ahead. Same thing for erratic riders who speed up and then suddenly slow down for reason or brake for imaginary demons or worse I’ve seen other women riders checking their makeup for bug guts in their mirror as they’re riding along! I’m a gal in my 60’s. I’ve been riding for 42 yrs, I attended a motorcycle safety course in 1982 and they taught us how to balance and be confident on your bike. If you didn’t learn to stop with one foot down and your other foot on the the rear brake, they failed you. I ride a HD- Ultra Classic Electra Glide now since 2001 and still only put one foot down when I stop. I think that people who are not comfortable on their bike should attend a rider safety course to brush up on their skills. It’s worth saving your life or limb, or someone else’s.
@steventwiddy34025 ай бұрын
@@janisblack2183 I agree completely
@scottmaz40635 ай бұрын
Stay away from the yellow lines. People tend to cross over into your lane. Love the tail.
@keeptwowheelsdown3 ай бұрын
When you are in the mountains, don't take your eyes off the road for a split second. The roads change too fast to take in the scenery. Pull over if you want to see something. Ride safe all!! Two wheels down!
@vmonk14745 ай бұрын
The Dragon is OK, but I’m glad we have other twisty motorcycle roads here in western NC that fewer people know about.
@mojomanmurph19255 ай бұрын
The road averages around seven to ten fatalities annually. Keep that in mind. I been traveling that road on both two wheels and four since late 90's. Seen a lot over the years. I don't do the Dragon anymore due to wild cagers that can't stay in their lane. Another tip is understanding that many travel to road to get from one side to the other since there aren't too many roads to select from. You will encounter people in RVs, big trucks (hopefully no semis), pulling trailers, pulling boats, campers, gasoline and propane delivery trucks and locals who use it to commute. It is a public road not a dedicated race track. Ride Safe.
@andrewbrodis12395 ай бұрын
There are many facets of technique that are important but if I have to pick the most helpful thing for riding "blind turns" like the TOD, it is learn to focus on your relativity to the "vanishing point" and ride accordingly. The vanishing point is were the road disappears from your line of sight. If that point is getting closer to you, you should be decelerating. Sometimes as you ride, that point doesn't get closer. It can just stay the same, as you ride, you see farther so the vanishing point is not getting closer. Here it's safe to maintain speed. And only when you see the exit and the vanishing point is moving farther away do you roll on throttle. This is how you become smooth. Throttle is not arbitrary, it's tuned to sight distance.
@sixwheelcarlisle84915 ай бұрын
Sometimes you can do it all right and the other motorists can take you and your loved ones out.
@ghostofcpast88934 ай бұрын
I've been on the dragon's tail many times. Rode it knee dragging in the rain. It'll make your butt pucker up tight enough to peel M&Ms without touching the chocolate
@meganpannell84475 ай бұрын
Rode the Dragon in the rain. Didn’t plan on the rain but it wasn’t stopping us. Take your time, look ahead when you can and as always, pay EXTRA attention to everything! 2 wheels down, Shiny side up! Ride safe! -Chris Pannell
@harveybc3 ай бұрын
I've drug my airhead's foot pegs a few times on the dragon. My advice would be to ride it a couple of times nice and leisurely. Enjoy the scenery. Get a feel for the road before you try to get wild. It is real easy to get caught up in the exciting challenge so as they say, stay within the boundaries of your and your bikes abilities.
@timothyperry7760Ай бұрын
Jack at the dragon always at the right place. My brother and brother in law and myself road trip to the dragon 3 years in a row from maine,as our cousin lived in Murphy NC always great ride and great enjoyment.People should watch all the bad crashes so as to know what to do. Great stuff Jack Tim
@rlsticks5 ай бұрын
Hey Jack, I just got back from riding the Ozarks out of Branson for a week. The roads there are very similar to the dragon lost of ups and downs and a lot of curves and beautiful scenery too. be safe everyone!
@katiecooley868827 күн бұрын
HA try riding RT. 14 in wa. state , or road to Cougar WA , nothing but tight curves, blind corners, switch backs rock wall on one side and the other cliff to the river valley below, it can be done you just have to pay content attention can't take your eye of the road for a second, then all the vacationers, with there campers , boat trailers, RVs , hog the road
@davenehilla96104 ай бұрын
First rode it in ‘93. CBR 600F2. The road was pristine. Very few bikes were there back then, and certainly not cars. It was a paradise. Ran up and down it many times a day. No joke. No traffic. And we were moving. A joy I will always treasure. Can’t imagine going to that cluster f&%* today. Sadly, I lost a friend to the dragon on a return trip I didn’t make.
@blade-x5 ай бұрын
I am coming there on holiday with a friend from Belgium in September. We have rented a Harley and we are going to drive the road
@nickhall59595 ай бұрын
You obviously haven't seen the roads in the UK recently, this looks as smooth as a race track compared to round here.
@mattsloop27365 ай бұрын
My son rode it after getting his license 6 months earlier. He rode a klx250s and had a blast. You don't need a lot of power to have fun on that road
@Ridingon3TN5 ай бұрын
looks like you visited before the repaving was finished which is done now..but the newest issue to watch out for lately has been the bears oddly enough. I know a few of us that have channels on here that live close by it and ride it a good bit have seen bears more often this year so far than years past for some reason. good video and for those heading up to it just keep your eyes peeled for anything to just pop out of the woods into the road in a moments notice. I know the last bear encounter I had I almost didn't see it until it was almost on the road but slowed down in case it decided to come out into the road which it waited but I did do what i could to try and grab the car's attention that was behind me to be careful and sure enough the bear did jump out onto the road right in front of them but they had seen it and slowed down so they didn't hit it. be safe out there.
@johnbewick63575 ай бұрын
Not unlike most roads in the Uk, but we know there will be bad surfaces everywhere and ride accordingly to the conditions. Actually Most roads in the UK are a lot worse than that, full of holes and broken surfaces.
@jeffskidmore643 ай бұрын
The Dragon is just a road with a lot of curves. No different than other highways, especially in WV. It’s the idiots that can’t control their own bikes or ride too fast that is dangerous. It’s not a race track.
@jvillain994628 күн бұрын
WV doesn't get recognition for its curvy country mountain roads. They're literally everywhere and go for hours. RT 52, 219, 250, 11, 7, 460, 119, 23. Just pick on and go. They all got a million curves, tons of elevation changes, decently paved, and good scenery.
@jeffskidmore6428 күн бұрын
@ you forgot the best roads. US Route 60 and Route 16 are great. Plus the Highland Scenic Highway is very good touring road.
@drakeb61683 ай бұрын
Planning a trip next year for this. hopefully isnt busy when my groups out there. Cant wait to take my 900f on that road once I am more familiar with it. Love seeing those ole hondas in the video being represented.
@cruisingthethaiway68815 ай бұрын
Your comment of best riding roads made me laugh. The Mae Hong Son loop in Thailand with over 2000 twisty curves takes several days to conquer is amazing, but the best roads I've ever ridden on was riding south from the Golden Triangle is on route 1081. That Was intentionally engineered and built to mimic a motoGP track. And keep in mind that there are no police to worry about because it's not their job to police the roads. So you can go flat out at top speed until your tank is empty. Don't forget to have your suspension upgraded and tuned by an actual professional. Stock suspension kills.
@ninji52265 ай бұрын
There's a 1000% difference between a public road and a race track and that's where a lot of people get in trouble. Race tracks are impeccably maintained, 1 way, and have no speed limit, a public road, not so much. Seems obvious but some are oblivious.
@GenghisKhan3115 ай бұрын
Unfortunately the race track is for rich people like almost everything these days
@ninji52265 ай бұрын
@@GenghisKhan311 True that, not to mention the logistics of finding a track, scheduling, and prepping for a track day. I love sport bikes but you really do have to break the law to have fun on them, just the nature of the beast. Prob going cruiser because of that.
@davidmccartney75775 ай бұрын
Soooooo many more roads in western NC and eastern TN that beat the Dragon and they’re more fun and much safer😎🇺🇸
@crossfitfortuna5 ай бұрын
There are so many roads in Tennessee that are just as good or better without all the stupidity. Highly recommend riding this on Monday through Friday when there is way less craziness.
@Bipecrazy695 ай бұрын
lived in Mayberry & rode Deals Gap almost 40 yrs. it quit being safe from the idiots YEARS AGO.. enjoy
@kevindowell60034 ай бұрын
One of these day I will try to make it to TOD, but the videos doesn’t look like half the road of the mountain passes in the western states.
@northwestrider3695 ай бұрын
I love riding my bike, and I ride it faster than the speed limit on many backroads without trying to race it. I get it, going fast is fun. But I also understand what the speed limit means. Roads are designed a speed limit based on how fast anyone should be able to go and be in complete control and safe in any road condition. Now if you have more skill than “anyone” and the road is dry you CAN go faster. But the next guy with less skill or the next day the road is wet, you can’t go as fast. I know as a motorcyclist, going the speed limit especially if it’s 35mph is not “cool” but on a road like this it can save you from crashing and bike damage. Possibly save your life. I also used to race cars, but I don’t drive my regular car like a race car. So on roads like the dragon, slow down, enjoy the road, be safe. Save the fast stuff for the race track.
@charlespflanze96514 ай бұрын
I'm an old man and used to ride the Dragon all the time in the 70's because I didn't live that far away from it, maybe a 1/2 hour or so. I mostly rode a Honda CB450 with better aftermarket rear shocks on it and a Hooker 2 into 1 exhaust. On my first Dragon rides the factory street pipes would drag on the pavement sometimes so I had to change it for safer cornering. The cornering issue arrived because - and I kid you not - some of the curves were reverse banked. If you weren't watching and hadn't learned the road yet, you were in for some nasty surprises. The road was so poorly engineered because it was built during war time and they needed it built in a hurry so the Alcoa Aluminum Company could service the dams in the area. In the 70's only locals used this road or people going fishing at Fontana Lake or some of the other lakes. Unlike the noisy madhouse it is today, back then the area was like a primeval wilderness, quiet, peaceful, and spectacular. One great ride was to take the Cades Cove Loop Road and then use the one way Parson's Branch road (closed to the public now for a long time) which exited right in the middle of the Dragon. On a typical ride you'd encounter hardly any traffic, but you still had to be wary of long trucks and people pulling trailers that had no choice but to take at least half of your lane in order to negotiate a turn. The trucks are banned now but weren't back then, so you never knew what sort of surprise could be waiting around each turn. To get really fast on the old Dragon you had to learn it, you had to work your way up to it. I had to warn other riders following me who were new to it - to not follow me at my speed until they learned the road. Ride your own ride - don't ride mine. Back then there were no cell phones and if you went off and down the mountainside playing road racer - there was a chance you'd spend the rest of your short life down there in the bushes - nobody would have known you were there.
@davidmccartney75775 ай бұрын
Soooooo many more roads in western NC and eastern TN that beat the Dragon and they’re more fun and much safer😎🇺🇸 Ride your Ride😉
@JoeFurtado-xv5no5 ай бұрын
Pretty much just stay within your skill set and wear your gear. Make sure your bikes up to snuff wheels and brakes. Stay safe and up on two
@mjordan8124 ай бұрын
Mid week, first thing in the morning and you have the road to yourself. Absolutely lovely!
@ClassicRiderАй бұрын
Have not been to the Dragon Tail, and probably never will. I ride very tight country roads in Connecticut. My advice is different than for highway riding - On tight roads , make sure you stay to the far right as 1- not sure if oncoming might run wide when entering an Apex, and 2- on a hill where oncoming could come over the crest in your lane - otherwise - 3- do take your time
@ChristianKustomz5 ай бұрын
As a bagger rider, you may be able to lean into the curves deeper than your saddlebags are able too. If your bag touches the roadway, it will lift up your rear tire, most likely causing you to have an accident.
@mikeskidmore67542 ай бұрын
Don't get eaten by a Bear and if you are a Harley Rider, please be courteous and pull off and let the normal speed traffic get past you.
@ANotSoHotRodGarage4 ай бұрын
Tar snakes are probably the worst thing to see going into a sharp curve. Hit one during construction and the front tire slid right out from under the bike. Not sure how I kept it up but it had pucker factor for sure
@FarRightRider5 ай бұрын
I rode from Galveston Texas to canton Ohio in just over 3 days on a2007 Honda vtx 1300C. Riding up 119&23(I believe) was a very interesting and nerve racking experience. Night time, rain and I was pushing myself pretty hard to make it home. (Sister passed). Beautiful ride during the day, but crazy experience in general
@mikeskidmore67545 ай бұрын
I was reading Dragon stats .. quite a few deaths by Heart Attacks .
@rmcalhoun45434 ай бұрын
A few tips. Remember, you are not Kyle Wyman. I'm very confident in my riding skills but no so much about everyone else. Take the road in a lower gear than you would normally use at whatever speed you are going and build up rpms to let the engine do the braking. Stab that rear brake leaning and you are going down.
@danorourke69334 ай бұрын
The best and safest time to ride this road is EARLY in the morning. It doesnt matter how skilled you are but when it gets busy you are at the mercy of the worst drivers/riders around you.
@leobouchereauiii81584 ай бұрын
It's a fun road enjoy your ride two wheels down and watch your six use the pull offs
@johnmorrissey584 ай бұрын
Rode it in the dark with one eye! Got stung by a wasp in the corner of my eye about 100yards from the tree of shame. By the time I got to the gas station at the other end. It had swollen shut and it was getting dark. Had to ride back to Fontana dam from the gas station in the dark with my right eye shut. It's NOT dangerous.
@rickybobby10555 ай бұрын
Looks like a busy road. Where i live in the mountains we have a few roads like that but not highly traveled through and with no cell service. Best place to ride is the place with nobody else around
@ShowseeTravels12 күн бұрын
The biggest obstacle is the slow ass riders, not using pull offs. The best time to go to ride it, ride it is during the week, avoid the weekend.
@LRHutch4 ай бұрын
I've rode it at least 8 times maybe 9. You just have to ride normal for the road that it is and drag the foot rests or pipes on some curves. Obey the speed signs and watch out for the idiots that makes the ride turn bad. If you are new to riding get a lot of good experience riding first. Size of the bike doesn't matter even a scooter will do fine. I have riden a 650 Scooter, 750 800 900 1300 and 1700 VTwin on it. I've seen just about every size and style of bike made of the Dragon. Watch for the sports car idiots that hog both lanes because they wont slow down. Im from North East Kentucky and the ride just getting there is great. Be sure to gather your friend riders to come along with you. Ride safe and keep the shinny side up. P.S. watch out for wild hogs, deer and bears.
@jamesrey46095 ай бұрын
Live next to mosquito ridge rd in California 600 curves in 36 miles
@raynic11735 ай бұрын
aka Iowa Hill Rd....ooh, that looks like a nice ride....
@jpseger16892 ай бұрын
I’ve been twice….both times I was in a Subaru. SMH. Someday I will get to ride it on a bike hopefully. I am excited to know about the repaving, thanks for the vid. A group of us from Reno nv are trying to make a trip out next summer.
@JB-by4si5 ай бұрын
Anyone looking for another awesome destination very similar to the dragon is the inner island roads in Puerto Rico. The island is filled with mountains and identical roads to the dragon.
@michellestewart67355 ай бұрын
There is a small dragon starting in Marietta Ohio .Very challenging.Keep the shiny side up.MPS#1
@oldninjadude14 ай бұрын
BTW, 318 is a myth. I’ve lived in the area and counted the turns , several times. depending on what you consider a turn and I’ve been real generous but never got more than 240.
@AndyFromBeaverton5 ай бұрын
Great video. Thanks for providing us information to keep us safe.
@mikeallen35185 ай бұрын
I've been riding 51 years now and I will start out by saying, "I ride for me and me only". I have been a "lone wolf" since I started riding at 16 years old, I am now 67 and still ride. I have two Harley's and a custom bike, a 2012 Street Glide and a 2004 Big Dog custom at home in the US, and a 2023 Harley Davidson Street Bob I just purchased last year over here in South Korea where I work. So anyway, I'm from North Carolina and have never had any desire to ride this Dragon road up in the mountains. I'm not knocking the folks that do, its their business to do so. I'm just saying I do what I want to do, ride where I want to ride and don't go off and do something because everyone else is doing it. I guess I'm like the guy in the old TV show, "Then Came Bronson". So above all RIDE SAFE everyone and do your own thing.
@796andy25 ай бұрын
Bronson !? , damn you old 😂
@mikeallen35185 ай бұрын
@@796andy2 Yup, 67 to be exact, but still in better shape than most 20 year olds nowadays.
@796andy25 ай бұрын
63 and on an smcr ... remember watching "on any Sunday " with my Dad😂@@mikeallen3518
@796andy25 ай бұрын
63 and on a smcr (ami in the 80s) watching "on any Sunday " got me started 😂
@796andy25 ай бұрын
ps: hit the dragon early on a weekday , it's a fun road
@geogrejetson4443 ай бұрын
Haven't done the dragon yet but did do Pikes Peak you go off the road nothing to stop you!
@scottrichardson89635 ай бұрын
Been going for 16 years. Bike and gear prepped and ready for the ride. Stay in your lane! Go before 9am, cooler temps and very few riders.
@ZX10Rrider044 ай бұрын
I am a local and have ridden this road for 25+ years and crashed twice. Both were from a moron that crossed the double yellow. This is not a road for beginners who think they can keep up with the locals who ride regularly. It's a public road but is popular for a reason. Ride your ride at your pace and stay safe.
@Donfleebie15 ай бұрын
I had a friend put his Goldwing in a tree not far from there. It was on 276 just outside of the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground. Henry, the original owner of the Campground had to pull the Wing out of the tree with his pickup truck.
@viperrc5355 ай бұрын
Stay to outside lane, it’s a 11mile dance, stay focused 😊
@SeikenFreak5 ай бұрын
Little late on this video. Paving has been complete for at least a month, maybe 2.
@bryce0165 ай бұрын
Did you record this on Thursday, June 20th? That bike that tipped over looks just like one that happened on the day that I was there.
@brandonmacon33175 ай бұрын
From someone who's been broken in half i would've taken the road rash and steel wool any day. We can deal with road rash but broken bones are a different story.
@treeguyable4 ай бұрын
Lived in the mountains around there for 8 yrs. Learned to ride my 350 2 stroke Yamaha at 16 yrs old there . Never went down. . Never went there/ or heard of it. Remind me to never go to that cluster ----.
@bradprater2465 ай бұрын
I rode the dragon twice, first and my last. To many spots cars hauling ass.
@Brimitch-ce9wm5 ай бұрын
Alot of turns sharpen at the apex, you can low side or high side very easily
@dmw314 ай бұрын
Make sure all your bolts are tight, brake caliper bolts, brake rotor bolts, drive pulley bolts, handle bar bolts……
@MrDan71714 ай бұрын
I used to live in Virginia and would go to Maggie Vally and Cherokee multiple times a year and ride the Dragon. This was in the 1990s and until the mid 2000s, and I finally stopped riding it when too many people started showing up and riding crazy and putting other people at jeopardy. My last ride I was almost hit by a truck coming the opposite direction, and I decided it wasn't worth it. I transferred back to Texas My home State after 25 years in Virginia with the Military and Federal Government and I'm now Retired. I now ride more in the Rockies, Wyoming and Montana. Amazing riding there which I had already been multiple times when I lived in Virginia.
@mykec.selene83025 ай бұрын
Ride Like you are invisible?!! That's the only way to survive on the road!!! Loud pipes save lives!!!
@peterrussell7985 ай бұрын
Loud pipes only annoy.
@julitosnijders36233 ай бұрын
Cycle drag video is always guaranteed a like.
@krisrawk17634 ай бұрын
Thanks for the video! Would love to visit this place some time!!
@craig64445 ай бұрын
Pro Tip: Assume every car waiting to pull out does not see you. ALWAYS be ready to react if they do. Been there more than once.
@davej34875 ай бұрын
Pro Tip: Assume the next corner will have some SQUID cutting the corner in your lane.
@jvillain994628 күн бұрын
More like 230 curves from the bridge to the damn. Which is more than 11 miles. Its also really not that difficult. Its just a curvy road. Its actually one of the safest curvy roads you can ride bc there is no hidden driveways or intersecting back roads. The only thing you have to watch for is your speed and other vehicles. The 2 most basic dangers. Hell if harleys riders can do it (very slowly) than anyone can.
@jimcain3495 ай бұрын
I first rode Deals Gap in 1994 when it was just gaining notoriety, long before it was "dragon" anything.
@heatingairservices87083 ай бұрын
Never Road the Dragon but but start up Top & go down hill. Then back up For kickers home ?or bottom up
@reidie60915 ай бұрын
I was there 2023. If you can drive curvy roads it is fun. Dangerous if you are to fast for your experience of motorcycle driving. I`am from Germany. We have a lot of curvy roads in Europe. Drive the Green Hell at tourist time that is dangerous! Dangerous to drive the mountain course of the TT. Too fast you will have a crash. Tail of the Dragon is fun!!!!! I enjoyed it very very much.
@jamesknight8025 ай бұрын
It's done. I rode it two weeks ago. The whole thing is paved, sweet.
@racespeed14855 ай бұрын
I've seen many wrecks happen there from posing for the cameras in the corners.
@georgeabraham25245 ай бұрын
Where have you been its been done on paving 2 months ago .
@Mike-q1z9w2 ай бұрын
Oh no, they're paving!. You don't see that on every road lol. If your "adrenalin is pumping" you're riding above your skills. There is a speed limit, & recommended speed signs at sharp corners. Even signs stating that motorcycle crashes are frequent. Double yellows everywhere. Just how many warnings do you need.
@marcmcdaniel75595 ай бұрын
It’s in my backyard. I’ve ridden it hard and fast several times since moving here. Weekdays are absolutely amazing. BTW…reminds me of a rollercoaster ride. There are many more excellent rides in East Tennessee…ATGATT.
@DragonTales1294 ай бұрын
if the dragon does anything, it brings the boomers out the woodwork to talk about how they got passed and It nearly ended their life.
@blipco55 ай бұрын
#1 tip- Stay to the RIGHT SIDE of YOUR LANE as much as possible. There can be another rider coming from the opposite direction in your lane at ANY time. Not to mention a camper or tractor/trailer. Yes, big trucks drive the Dragon too. 😮
@whitemdw5 ай бұрын
My man Sammy Stetler on the crutches at the beginning of the video!!!!!
@James-f5h4 ай бұрын
I dont know why people people complain, theres a posted speed limit. Hopefully it starts getting enforced.
@mr.mikeyg.52825 ай бұрын
The Back of the Dragon is much more enjoyable in my opinion. Less traffic?
@granty1150gs5 ай бұрын
Last time I rode that to Cadwell it had so much gravel on it, it was a slog.
@717Chris4 ай бұрын
I just did the back of the dragon and enjoyed it 100% did it Saturday morning and it wasn't much traffic. I have a video of it on my channel
@haroldbartleson22395 ай бұрын
Groups should stagger give everybody room
@jackmagnium61155 ай бұрын
hey do you know what specific supercharger these top fuel motocycles run? i searched far and wide on the internet and got no answer. i only speculated the displacement of these blowers is 2.5 to 3.0L (same as a roe racing supercharger used for the 2008 - 2012 HEMI street engines). and why the hell is it not common on the internet?
@berserkerok33514 ай бұрын
Motorcycles need their own roads in this country.
@SherrySimpson-ld8qu3 ай бұрын
Hey! This old lady did it twice in a mini van! 😊
@Flashracer15 ай бұрын
The road has been repaved as of June 11. Nice banked curves now.
@FourMaxK15 ай бұрын
My tip would be to Ride Your Line! There will be others, both faster and slower, that can spook you. Stay focused!
@JohnCunningham-sy5ug8 күн бұрын
It can be fun but like Black Friday you have to Deal with the Maniacs 😢