My Tail of the Dragon run
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MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,221
From: Gettysburg, Pa
My Tail of the Dragon run
Took a 2 day trip to the Tail and here's some pics. I know, I could of been hanging off a bit but... 318 curves in the 11 miles from the Tennessee border to the bridge @ the bottom... this doesn't count all the curves leading up to that point! I did a little shake and bake but couldn't keep up!! It's quite a work out!
Less talk, more pics.
I found that the 3 different photo tents messed me up a little. For that split second I saw them and realized there was a camera pointed at me, my line was a little off. That's why you see me on the wrong side of the yellow. It didn't happen regularly.
Less talk, more pics.
I found that the 3 different photo tents messed me up a little. For that split second I saw them and realized there was a camera pointed at me, my line was a little off. That's why you see me on the wrong side of the yellow. It didn't happen regularly.
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MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,221
From: Gettysburg, Pa
I found for my riding style and 16/43 gearing, it was in 2nd & 3rd gear almost the whole run. I personally trail brake a lot. When I tried to roll on throttle mid turn the bike would twitch due to drive line/gear lash and the high torque nature of the beast. Knowing this, the fastest way through turns (for me)was to slowly roll off throttle but not the whole way going into turns using front brakes. While tipping it in, I switched to rear brake to set speed while still using a little throttle, then I could roll on heavy throttle without any snap.
The Dragon was amazing! Videos and words don't begin to do it justice. The banking of the turns does not come through on the screen. I took tons of vid with my GoPro but haven't sorted through it yet. I'll have to post the spot where I passed an 18 wheeler going the other way!!!
If it would have been @ the right place @ the wrong time, my experience might have been very different!
The Dragon was amazing! Videos and words don't begin to do it justice. The banking of the turns does not come through on the screen. I took tons of vid with my GoPro but haven't sorted through it yet. I'll have to post the spot where I passed an 18 wheeler going the other way!!!
If it would have been @ the right place @ the wrong time, my experience might have been very different!
Well take off, eh.
SuperBike
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,206
From: QC, Canada
That's the problem with riding public roads, never know what you will
be faced with. Caffeine wasn't so lucky last week, but will make it out
OK. Glade to see you managed to enjoy it to it's fullest without any issues.
Maybe someday, will have the opportunity, but, still just a thought for the moment.
be faced with. Caffeine wasn't so lucky last week, but will make it out
OK. Glade to see you managed to enjoy it to it's fullest without any issues.
Maybe someday, will have the opportunity, but, still just a thought for the moment.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 142
From: Ottawa Ontario
NICE!! wow looks like you had the entire road to your self!! I only got to go through on the sunday and it was very busy.. glad you had a good one.. if your not back yet.. my crash was on the 28, you may still be able to see the marks of the bike on the road and brush folded back.. 9 days ago now.. I'm walking ok but can't drive yet.. ribs are still in alot of pain.. Doc said to take a month off work! I may take a week or two.. more then that and I'll go crazy!
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MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,221
From: Gettysburg, Pa
Very good to hear things are getting better! I got a lucky break, I read that early in the week was the best time to go and the weather cooperated! I ran 28 twice and the Cherohala Skyway once. All of 'em I practically owned!
Bammer, my Hawk has an Ohlins shock and Race Tech .85's in the forks w/ properly set sag. Forks raised a few mm's. I really need some valve work done up front, hopefully by the next time I go.
Carl, I do have a bunch to choose from. They run about $6-7 each with a discount if you order more. So I gotta pick wisely!
Bammer, my Hawk has an Ohlins shock and Race Tech .85's in the forks w/ properly set sag. Forks raised a few mm's. I really need some valve work done up front, hopefully by the next time I go.
Carl, I do have a bunch to choose from. They run about $6-7 each with a discount if you order more. So I gotta pick wisely!
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Superstock
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 458
From: Rome, GA
I was at the dragon last weekend with my YZF group taking pictures but I didn't get any of you sorry :lol Kind of funny that you were there the same weekend I was and 3 days later I buy a hawk and join the forum 
Thread Starter
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MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,221
From: Gettysburg, Pa
I was there 7/29&30 so we might not have crossed paths. Did you get to ride at all during this trip and do you have any good pics to post? I had my wife try and take a few but they didn't turn out so great. When our camera takes burst shots the display goes black and it has no view finder. It would be cool to meet up w/ some other Superhawks next time. The friends shots would be awesome from the tents.
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Superstock
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 458
From: Rome, GA
All slrs will go dark taking burst shots while the mirror is flipped up, my canon does the same. It was raining while I was there (Saturday) and the 29th and 30th I was buying my bike. I'm only 3 hours from the gap though so on an empy weekend its not a huge issue to make the trip up, ride some, and go home
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SuperSport
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 501
From: Orlando, FL
I think we are all very jealous of your ride, and anyone who has had the oportunity to take a crack at the dragon, I'm trying to set up a group of the guys I ride with here to get a cabin for a week in early spring next year.
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SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 740
From: Pa
Nice pics.
I rode the dragon pre Hawk daze, on rented HD & I went in the Fall - No one was on it, but it was also 12 or 13 yrs ago, so I don't think it was as popular as it is today.
IDK if I'd do it during the Summer, with the amount of attention the place gets.
But that area to ride is amazing.
Glad you made it back safe.
I rode the dragon pre Hawk daze, on rented HD & I went in the Fall - No one was on it, but it was also 12 or 13 yrs ago, so I don't think it was as popular as it is today.
IDK if I'd do it during the Summer, with the amount of attention the place gets.
But that area to ride is amazing.
Glad you made it back safe.
Thread Starter
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MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,221
From: Gettysburg, Pa
Bought a few, thin one is 1 of my favs.
And to the nay-sayers, Metzeler z6 front (sport-touring) and a Bridgestone BT023 rear. No drama, not optimum IMO, but gripped fine.
And to the nay-sayers, Metzeler z6 front (sport-touring) and a Bridgestone BT023 rear. No drama, not optimum IMO, but gripped fine.
Last edited by Wolverine; Aug 2, 2013 at 08:10 PM.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 458
From: Rome, GA
They have bunk houses on the cheap as well as places to throw a tent on the cheaper with nice 24 hour bathroom/shower house. As well they have much MUCH nicer cabins and such and if you make your reservations early they have enough room for a couple of large size groups.
Old and dangerous
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 604
From: DFW Texas
Took a 2 day trip to the Tail and here's some pics. I know, I could of been hanging off a bit but... 318 curves in the 11 miles from the Tennessee border to the bridge @ the bottom... this doesn't count all the curves leading up to that point! I did a little shake and bake but couldn't keep up!! It's quite a work out!
Nice ride. Thanks for the pictures.
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 20
From: Jacksonville Beach Fl
Dragon
Tail of the Dragon is an surreal experience! First time I've ever been on a public road where the cops don't hassle you. I saw one policeman in the four runs that I made. All you had to do was mark his spot and slow a bit going into his spot. The rest of the 13 miles it was full on. Great time, wish it wasn't 13 hours away!
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 458
From: Rome, GA
I do too, which is why i use this
Team Trinity Servo Tape (Wide) [TRI6001] | Radios & Accessories - A Main Hobbies
I am a hobbyshop owner and I have a trailer I go from track to track to to sell parts at races, I took the aluminum sign off my building at one point and stuck it to the side of my trailer with this stuff and drove 70 miles to a race.. sign didn't move. However I left it there a little too long (a few months) and the tape became a Mother to get off without peeling some paint with it
Team Trinity Servo Tape (Wide) [TRI6001] | Radios & Accessories - A Main Hobbies
I am a hobbyshop owner and I have a trailer I go from track to track to to sell parts at races, I took the aluminum sign off my building at one point and stuck it to the side of my trailer with this stuff and drove 70 miles to a race.. sign didn't move. However I left it there a little too long (a few months) and the tape became a Mother to get off without peeling some paint with it
Thread Starter
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,221
From: Gettysburg, Pa
