How to really Ride the Dragon.......😬😬😬😬
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I’ve ridden it about 1/2 dz times in the last 30 yrs. But never had the desire to go racing thru it. It’s beautiful riding at just an average speed rolling thru there. Yeah ya scrape up occasionally on a bagger but it’s nice scenic riding. Never could understand the whole “oh man you ride the Dragon “ thing. Lol there’s way more scenic and twisty canyons out there. LoLo canyon in Idaho is 99 miles of twistys now that’s a run. Dam thing is dam near a job give that a run if your out that way. I always thought well it must be THE ROAD in the south.
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50 Posts
I would have labeled this “How not to ride the Dragon “, as a former racer and riding for 50
Years if you want to ride like this take it to the track. Don’t endanger your self and most important the other riders and drivers.
But definitely a nice ride. Done it a thousand times.
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3,940 Posts
Agreed. Devils Hwy out in AZ makes the dragon look like the Gieco Chameleon
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3,408 Posts
I agree. The Devils Hwy is about 80 miles of the Dragon with great scenery. But videos of what was shown above is the biggest reason I don't do the Dragon much anymore. Too many people with something to prove. Cars and bikes. The Tree of Shame is full of fairing from crotch rockets that lost it on that road. Not only dangerous but it puts others at risk also. You got something to prove do it on a closed course track. Dean
I live in the area so access to 129 is about 30 minutes away. I haven't ridden it in 15 years because of folks similar to the one(s) in that video. I want to enjoy it, not watch over my shoulder or around the oncoming corner for folks like him. Hey, that's my opinion for me. If'n ya wanna ride it like that or be passed by/endangered by riders like that, go for it.
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1,918 Posts
Dean, I live in the Blue Ridge and seldom ride on the weekend because of idiots like that. Evolution in action. I got passed by two HD's last weekend on a double line going up hill with less than a 1/4 mile visibility. They didn't care if their life ended nor my wife's and mine did. If I do ride I try to get to some places I know to go that are more low key and one may encounter a tractor or trout fisherman on the road. Unfortunately getting there involves mingling with the unwashed masses at times.
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161 Posts
I have ridden the dragon a few times, but never at a pace like that. 
Honestly, not my favorite road to ride in the area. Plenty of less trafficked roads nearby with better scenery and challenging curves as well.
Honestly, not my favorite road to ride in the area. Plenty of less trafficked roads nearby with better scenery and challenging curves as well.
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3,408 Posts
To me if you really want a great ride with not near as much traffic or idiots with something to prove then ride the Cherohala Skyway. One beautiful scenic and curvy road that is in great condition. Still one of my all time favorites. Dean
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135 Posts
He has probably never run into deer or other critters on the road. I have had a deer decide at the last minute to jump into my lane on the interstate, and I hit him with my truck. Even hitting a raccoon can upset the balance when your near the edge on a cycle. Sliding into another lane endangers others. As a pilot, we always plan for a way out or an alternate decision. There are times in this video that everything had to go exactly as planned or........? Your life or death choices should never endanger others.
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1,186 Posts
You are so right a great ride years back before it became lol THE DRAGON ! I’m done with it but if you do ride do it during the week is my advice
The Cherohala is a nice ride now that the other side to Robbinsville has been repaved although that section where the skyway ends is still a very narrow road. We really do have some nice roads all around our East TN/West NC/North GA area.
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278 Posts
Japan has some absolutely beautiful and challenging roads if y'all ever get the chance to ride out that way.
I was stationed in Iwakuni where the joke is, you'll become an alcoholic, bible thumper or barracks rat because there's nothing to do. Whoever started that saying never had a car or motorcycle to get them off base. That's all my friends and I did for the entire time I was there. Met a lot of great people who became great friends because of motorsports. Digital cameras were just becoming a thing in the early 00's so no video other than my memories.
I was younger and thought I was bullet proof back then and did some things I don't know how I survived from. I once got pulled over doing 120kph in a 40kph zone. (75 in a 25mph) and was let go with a verbal warning after the officer complemented me on how great my Valentino Rossi helmet looked along with my Ducati. Very cool helmeto! Very cool Ducati nigh! No 120! Only 40! Good day...
I was stationed in Iwakuni where the joke is, you'll become an alcoholic, bible thumper or barracks rat because there's nothing to do. Whoever started that saying never had a car or motorcycle to get them off base. That's all my friends and I did for the entire time I was there. Met a lot of great people who became great friends because of motorsports. Digital cameras were just becoming a thing in the early 00's so no video other than my memories.
I was younger and thought I was bullet proof back then and did some things I don't know how I survived from. I once got pulled over doing 120kph in a 40kph zone. (75 in a 25mph) and was let go with a verbal warning after the officer complemented me on how great my Valentino Rossi helmet looked along with my Ducati. Very cool helmeto! Very cool Ducati nigh! No 120! Only 40! Good day...
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