Tips for first time 'tail of the dragon' rider | GTAMotorcycle.com

Tips for first time 'tail of the dragon' rider

danielzak1990

danielzak1990

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Ever since i started riding a street bike the 'tail of the dragon' has been on my list of places to ride one day, that dream is becoming true in 2 weeks, my friend and i are towing our bikes down and staying in robbinsville for a week.
I am 25 years old i ride a 2011 gsxr 600, i have 2 seasons of riding experience on the street bike and 5 years on the dirt. I like to think of myself as a responsible rider but i like to push my limits that is why i always wanted to ride the deals gap.
What i am looking for is some pointers, tips from experienced riders, possibly people thAt have ridden the dragon on how to be cautious while there, things to watch for, any hazards that i may run into, last thing i want is to hang up my bike parts on the tree of shame :)
ThAnks for any input
 
Don't ride around it too fast, loads of cops when I went + transport trucks like to use that road (and take up both lanes when they do)
 
Be cautious.

Browse the killboy pictures and you'll see all the numpties crossing the center line. When I rode down there a few years ago I was almost clipped by a rider going the other way that crossed into my lane.

Take breaks at either end. It's alot of work. Many many turns and alot of concentrating, with periods of irritation because of the slow cars that won't move over. (be patient)

Make sure your bike is in great shape. Good pads, fresh brake fluid. I'm not that fast a rider but by the end of each run my brakes would start to fade a bit.

Keep an eye on your mirrors cause no matter how fast you ride, there will be people that practically live there and will want to get by.
 
Do your first run nice and slow. Theres a few curves that are notorious crash areas. Don't spend all your time there or you'll miss out on spectacular roads that imo are more fun than the Dragon itself.
 
Do a search for and read through some ride reports of others trips down there. Don't ride faster than you can think, see or react. As the week progresses you should start to improve and get more comfortable, so be nice and slow to start off the week, knowing you will have lots of opportunity to ride all week. Read a book like total control or sport riding techniques or twist of the wrist on your long drive down. Don't succumb to peer pressure - ride your own ride.
 
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I jut got back from TOTD last week Went twice last year as well.

1- avoid the dragon on weekends at all costs
2- Make sure your tires are in good condition
3- Lots of decreasing radius turns, go slow the first few times learn the road.
4- Use the pull offs for faster riders behind you
5- Self explanatory but stay in your lane
6- I didn't see 1 transport this year they're cracking down though
7- Goto Bridal Veil Falls on 64.. Amazing ride and cool places to stop
8- Have fun!

Bridal Veil Falls
17517992084_fae0542304_z.jpg



Also went to this abandon tree house in Tennessee I highly recommend
17901449793_aff9360747_z.jpg
 
Mr.walczak hit most of it with some good points. 3 more to add

1.) Even if your wheels are in your own lane, be mindful of your body as you lean off the bike, easy to have your head in the other lane. People like to take their wide-*** corvettes they cannot drive down there, its easy to find someone in your lane

2.) Trailbraking, I don't suggest you learn it while your down there, but if you are familiar with it, you can easily find yourself in a tighter corner than you thought, so knowing how to brake while you start a turn is useful. If you are too hot, trust the tires, lean more. Mornings with dew/sticks/leaves can be very slippery and once a week the mowers come by. Generally they clean things up fairly well though

3.) On your way to bridal veil falls, the #28 south is an awesome piece of road that isn't very busy. Stop by Cafe Rel on the way, weird hours, but excellent food.


https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/NC-2...47debcd1fa!2m2!1d-83.4850059!2d35.2902552!1m0


http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restauran...eviews-Caffe_Rel-Franklin_North_Carolina.html
 
mr.walczak said:
I jut got back from TOTD last week Went twice last year as well.

1- avoid the dragon on weekends at all costs
2- Make sure your tires are in good condition
3- Lots of decreasing radius turns, go slow the first few times learn the road.
4- Use the pull offs for faster riders behind you
5- Self explanatory but stay in your lane
6- I didn't see 1 transport this year they're cracking down though
7- Goto Bridal Veil Falls on 64.. Amazing ride and cool places to stop
8- Have fun!

Bridal Veil Falls
17517992084_fae0542304_z.jpg



Also went to this abandon tree house in Tennessee I highly recommend
17901449793_aff9360747_z.jpg
Click to expand...

Awesome picture man.
 
My point was Mr Walczak's first one. Ride down on the weekend and be ready to ride it on week days. Hardly any traffic on the Monday we rode it.

Also since you're so close ride the Cherahola Skyway.
 
dirtbag said:
My point was Mr Walczak's first one. Ride down on the weekend and be ready to ride it on week days. Hardly any traffic on the Monday we rode it.

Also since you're so close ride the Cherahola Skyway.
Click to expand...

Also watch the lines super slippery when wet, it rains a lot there and gets sunny and dries up in hours
 
Thanks for all the input and great advise, the way we have it planned is to ride the dragon for 2 days, probably first and last, and ride the area all the other days. I am super excited.
Please mention all the good riding roads/spots within 200 km of the dragon. Thanks
 
mr.walczak said:
I jut got back from TOTD last week Went twice last year as well.

1- avoid the dragon on weekends at all costs
2- Make sure your tires are in good condition
3- Lots of decreasing radius turns, go slow the first few times learn the road.
4- Use the pull offs for faster riders behind you
5- Self explanatory but stay in your lane
6- I didn't see 1 transport this year they're cracking down though
7- Goto Bridal Veil Falls on 64.. Amazing ride and cool places to stop
8- Have fun!

Bridal Veil Falls
17517992084_fae0542304_z.jpg



Also went to this abandon tree house in Tennessee I highly recommend
17901449793_aff9360747_z.jpg
Click to expand...



Mr walczak
How was the weather ? I keep looking at the weather network and for the last couple of weeks they've been showing at least 10 mm of rain a day , some days more, last thing i want is to get there and have it rain the entire time
 
I was there for a week, weather man called for thunderstorms all week . It rained over night once rest of the week I was burnt to a crisp. The thing with the smokey mountains is it changes rapidly. Also Robbinsville is 30 miles from TOTD. It was pouring at Wheelers near Robbinsville and sunny all day at the dragon it's crazy ..

Btw stop a wheelers when you're here he's an awesome dude. Also when it rains it dries up quickly it's a blessing on hot days, less people and cools you off
 
danielzak1990 said:
Thanks for all the input and great advise, the way we have it planned is to ride the dragon for 2 days, probably first and last, and ride the area all the other days. I am super excited.
Please mention all the good riding roads/spots within 200 km of the dragon. Thanks
Click to expand...
Look at the "Touring Routes" for other roads in the area.

http://tailofthedragon.com/
 
The last time I went I had the extreme fortune of almost never being stuck behind someone. I would reiterate that it is easy to underestimate how quick the residents can get around, even if they are piloting a POS pickup with a camper cap on the back.

Familiarize yourself with which states participate in sharing information about convictions for traffic offenses with Ontario.

If you ride the BRP, supposedly the authority there (rangers? I can't even remember) has a very low tolerance for shenanigans and such.

If you ride through Cherokee, you will wonder if you have stepped back in time as you lay eyes on things that are bewilderingly not PC.

Can confirm Wheeler's is a classy operation.
 
Also be aware that Robbinsville is located in Graham County NC. Graham County is to the best of my knowledge a "dry" county. Meaning no beer, wine etc. Haven't been for a couple of years, but it was then.
 
FJRgeezer said:
Also be aware that Robbinsville is located in Graham County NC. Graham County is to the best of my knowledge a "dry" county. Meaning no beer, wine etc. Haven't been for a couple of years, but it was then.
Click to expand...

Still is.
 
danielzak1990 said:
Thanks for all the input and great advise, the way we have it planned is to ride the dragon for 2 days, probably first and last, and ride the area all the other days. I am super excited.
Please mention all the good riding roads/spots within 200 km of the dragon. Thanks
Click to expand...

Good Roads:
Cherohala Skyway, Foothills Parkway, Little River Gorge Road, Moonshiner #28, NC#215, NC#281, NC#276, NC226A, NC80, Blue Ridge Parkway, Wayah Rd, Ellijay Rd/Tilley Creek Rd, TN#32, GA#60 & #180, GA #68 and more...
 
Canada Road - it's as fun as the Dragon and you'll be the only people on it. Highly recommended.
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