Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated


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mdblackjazz
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Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by mdblackjazz »



I live in NC drove the Tail twice didn't want to the second time but only because out of town buddy came and insisted we do it" together."
It was Mazda Miata week it was NUTZ my buddy from flatland florida with square tires on his Bagger HD took off left me behind, the last I saw was sparks from Bagger frame rails. No clue he raced onward , no practce run no parashute only throddle.
At the end of ride , when I caught up at roadside pull out, he stated his time elapse. He never had a clue until I showed him his pipes and bag rails.
Over the next few days we drove a lot over Western NC on more senic , safe and enjoyable roads.
If risking IT ALL is worth it by all means go for it. Ego aside from my point of view I don't get the attraction of risking IT ALL for braggin
points no one keeps score and even if your not you are in the way of someone that is.
If the Dragon is on your bucket list you will enjoy the ride there and the ride away from there more than the ride on it.
It is a convergence of speeding stupity from both directions and not just motorcycles, its cars and lost 18 wheelers too.
Get one of those maps with other rides such as the Rattler to Hot Springs or back side up Mt.Mitchell to Blue Ridge Parkway that are more enjoyable more safe more everything . A long ride to just do THE DRAGON, buy a tee shirt and go home is fine if thats what you want , but stay a while and ride the other rides and I think you will see what Im saying.


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blupupher
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by blupupher »

The Dragon has been a very successful marketing plan that has attracted a lot of attention to that specific roadway. It gets put on peoples bucket lists for that reason, for both car and motorcycle enthusiasts.
It's success has partially lead to it's demise.

I have not ridden it, but if I am ever in that area, I will (on a weekday for sure). I would also take an opportunity to ride the hundreds of miles of great roads in the area, which is why I would be in the area on a bike in the first place.

I do think you would miss out on a good time if you make a trip to the Dragon and only do the Dragon.
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Sassy
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by Sassy »

Well I certainly agree with the OP.
Never been but every vid I've seen is about riders getting crazy and to top it off , way too busy for me.
Don't get me wrong, I like spirited riding too but on the lonely quite roads of the BC Kootenays, northern ID and eastern OR.
Enjoying the Darkside
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by mach1970 »

I disagree. It's a great road and a lot of fun to ride. I have ridden it many times and on many different types of bikes. I have taken many friends there to ride it as well and they have all enjoyed it. The key is to not go on the weekend. In fact I try to go very early in the morning on a weekday and I usually have the road pretty much to myself. There are other great roads out there too, but the Dragon should be on every riders bucket list, there aren't many roads as challenging as the dragon to ride and if you ride within your ability and not trying to see how fast you can go, it's a great ride.

Rob
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rvanallen
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by rvanallen »

Yes, I agree with 'mach1970' with TOTD should be on your "Bucket List." Did not scrape anything being on a trike but you still need to hang on and drive carefully; the road can be deceiving. Several pull-offs with scenic vistas. This past September we did "The Back Of The Dragon" in Virginia. Comparing the two, it's a good twin. Found some curves at 90-degrees, going over three mountains, some 32-miles, and 438-curves. This run will take you a bit longer to maneuver as well. Both are worth riding. https://www.backofthedragon.com/
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by gatorslayer »

I used to live in Greenville, SC, so, yes, I've ridden it. It's probably been 15 years, and it wasn't terribly crowded nor crazy back then. I just went to Newland, NC, and I can tell you that parts of NC 181 are about as challenging as the Tail, with less traffic.
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by toanogreen »

Altrnate trip; I reccommend the Back of the Dragon in Va. It is not as popular as the Tail of the Draqgon, yet, but it is growing. It is 32 miles with 260+ turns and beautiful scenary. It runs from Marion to Taswell, Va. We went went both ways, as we spent the night in Marion, which is right off of I-81. My brothers and I rode it this fall and it was challenging, but fun. We were novices for sure: no scraping! The "Tail" didn't interest us because of the volume of traffic it is getting which takes away from the joy of riding sometimes. Plus we live about 4 hours away, and this was our first ride together, as opposed to riding 10 hours to get to Tennessee. BTW, our ages are 67, 66, and 65.
Just my opinion.
George6225
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by George6225 »

I live in Florida and have all 75 plus years of my life... Not to many great riding roads here unless one likes flat scenic views with really straight, point, shot, hold it in straight line kind of riding. Every year at Labor Day for more years than I can count I have looked forward to going to the North Georgia, Western NC, South Eastern TN, general area to escape the Florida heat and enjoy a week or two of riding the beautiful roads of these areas. Tail of The Dragon was, and still is with all the commercialization one of my favorite rides. How one chooses to ride the specific road is totally up to the motorcycle rider, as it should be. As to rider behavior, it reflects upon on all that ride a two wheeler, no matter the road. It is a riders choice.
I would have to still rate the TOTD one of the best motorcycle roads in North America and highly recommend it to any skilled rider. Those that are not so skilled might want to find another route and another highway to enjoy your two wheeled sport. I ride a Gold Wing because I can pick it up even at my age, not so much with a BMW, Harley, or other brands of two wheeler, but still respect your choice of riding pleasure and location.
Filterman
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by Filterman »

I've done the Tail twice. That's enough for my lifetime. Prior to ride #1 in 2016 or so, everyone that found out I was going to the area and intended to ride the Dragon counseled me to "make it my own ride". That was great advice and the Killboy picture proofs of my wife & I on the '84 1200 were great. Second time was in 2019 on the '05 1800. A bit more motorcycle at that time for me to handle, still made it my own ride, but I think I freaked out on one of the turns and we softly landed, upright mind you, in a very small ditch along the road leaning against a pretty soft wall. That ride taught me a couple things; we'd only had the 1800 about 1-1/2 years. When upgrading from the 1200, for me it was a noticeably heavier machine, and I didn't feel the nimbleness that I felt with the 1200 even riding two-up. Although I'd ridden for 28-years by that time, and had never been down, I needed more time on the new bike to learn my limits. There was divine intervention, we didn't end up even slightly injured, nor the 1800. There were a couple surface scratches that came out easily with polishing compound, and no broken parts. The last lesson I learned is that I've done it, twice now, and I don't have a burning desire to do it again. Should I find myself in a situation where I'm faced with having to ride it due to a group ride, or whatever, I'd do it. But I won't seek it out. We have the blessing of living near some of the greatest riding in this country which in MHO is the SE US; the Carolina's, Virginia's, northern Georgia, KY, TN, and the entire region. There are outstanding roads that need exploring. Some posters have already mentioned a few. There's so many more.
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by eusurp1 »

My son and I road to the Tail ten years ago from NH. It was worth the trip for us as the highway ride down 81 was filled with memorable terror, like the driver eating a salad, driving with their knee, yelling at the kids in the back seat while creeping over the line....DOING 77 MPH! Or the late model Mercedes coupe broken down in the driving left lane on a sweeping left turn---SURPRISE! FUUU--!!
I think the back and forth banter was the best part but as far as riding the Tail....his cruiser was scraping pegs the whole way and my older GW was not even trying to stay with him.
Riding through Cherokee and then Skyline drive was pretty special though.
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by Grandpot »

The Tail is defiantly overrated and dangerous. Too many youngsters with raging testosterone trying to invoke their manhood. The twisties are nice until one of them overrides his riding skill set while passing you. Riding it on a weekday is bad, but on the weekend it's obsoletely crazy. There are many other roads in the area that will give you just as much enjoyment without the danger.

Remember, don't ride faster than your Guardian Angel can fly.
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by WingVetteGSXR »

I’ve been a biker for 52 years, but have a bad sports car problem. Took my new 2023 Z06 Corvette on it and a Harley guy behind me was mad he couldn’t catch me so he tried his best using terrible lines in his jeans and t shirt straight pipes blaring, with his girlfriend in shorts and t shirt on the pillion. You just can’t fix stupid.
I was expecting mostly sport bikes at Deal’s Gap, but it was 99% Harleys with bad attitudes that wouldn’t give me the time of day when I went up to say hello.
Some things never change.
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by bikerbeth »

My husband and I rode from Washington State to ride this beast. I have a 2013 goldwing and he was on a '09 goldwing. We enjoyed every part of it. The scenery in the smokey mts. and the curves were awsome. We are 30+ year bikers. My old 08 HD full dresser would not been able to handle the curves like that GW. Throwing the bike into each curve was exhilarating. This is why I ride. I loved it and would go back.
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by Elrod »

Used to live not far from TOTD and have ridden it on my '08 more times than I can count. Earlier posters are correct: make it your ride! Plus, you have to know what to expect out of it. A few thoughts:

1) One of the primary characteristics of TOTD is that there is virtually nowhere to make a safe pass. So, if you get behind someone that rides it slowly, you are stuck! For reference, I have ridden from the store to the overlook several times in the 12-minute range, and I have also taken 45 minutes to do it. It all depends on traffic density and road conditions. My advice: make sure you get on the road from the store in front of other groups, giving you the best chance to enjoy your ride.

2) Other posters are correct about when to ride. If you have a choice, make it in the middle of the week, and early in the morning. Also, if you can find the road open, off-season is best. You will give yourself the opportunity to make the ride your own without others making that decision for you.

3) Make sure of local events that may impact your trip. For example, sports car or motorcycle club events make riding TOTD virtually impossible to enjoy. Whether they agree or not, the accordion effect at the end of their line results in your riding in second gear and on the brakes most of the way through. Though not always the rule, that has been my consistent experience.

4) If you enjoy the do-dads that go along with a place like TOTD, then by all means go there. Many folks enjoy the parking lot experience, grabbing a quick meal, or buying T-shirts and decals from the store.

5) There are so many other roads in that region that are more enjoyable that TOTD for Gold Wings. For example:

- US 278 from SC 11 to US 64 at Rosman, NC, then on to NC 215 from there to US 276 near Waynesville, NC.
- The Cherohala Skyway, both directions. Great scenery.
- GA 60, from the Stonepile near Dahlonega, GA to Morganton, GA. That is a great Gold Wing road.
- US 129 from Turners Corner to GA 180, both directions.
- NC 28 from Franklin, NC to TOTD.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway, from Cherokee, NC to as far as you want to ride, is a wonderful casual road with terrific scenery.
- Though technical in sections, NC 209 from Waynesville, NC to Hot Springs, NC can be fun.
- US 19 / GA 75 from Helen, GA to GA 180, both directions.
- US 58 from Damascus, VA to Volney, VA.
- NC 281 from Tuckasegee, NC to Lake Toxaway, NC.

There are many others in the region that are well-suited to the Gold Wing. Just do some map exploring and planning. Enjoy the area!
Filterman
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by Filterman »

Elrod - all excellent points! I found when we rode it the first time there are very small and short-lived half lanes in straightaways that I used to nudge to the right and let the sport bikes go by. I know they appreciated it, as did I with not having them on my tail and feeling like I was holding them back. You gave a nice summary of some of the great riding in that part of the country! I remember a couple of the sport bike guys thanking me at the lookout when we came in and I commented on their wildly decorated mohawk helmets and apologized for maybe holding them back. They were very cool about it and said it goes with the territory and know it can happen. Fortunately, we weren't there during Miata days, or other sportscar days.
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by bogdog »

I knew someone who died on that road. Ex racer, on a sportbike. He was an older guy that went too wide on a turn and got run over by a car coming the other way. Left two kids without a father.
It's not worth it to me.
Riding is dangerous enough without the dragon.
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by detdrbuzzard »

no i don't think that the tail of the dragon is over rated i think it is the most talked about. look at the Ohio windy 9, no one sez lets go ride the windy 9 they say lets go ride the 555. the dragon has the same problem, there are other great roads to ride but the talk is almost always about the dragon. i rode the dragon back in '16 or '17 with five other friends. once there i was the last one in our group on the dragon until YW passes me
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by bkscoutmaster »

So many nice rides in the area don't just go for TOTD. If you go to Sturgis make sure to ride Iron Mountain Road.
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by soujrnr »

I live just north of the TOTD. I will ride it, but I prefer other roads much more. I have a list of over 70 rides almost outside my front door here in northeastern Tennessee, and the Tail is not near the top of the list for me. I much preferred riding the Copperhead. It is 110 miles, 956 curves, over 5 mountains. Riding up to Cumberland Gap is also a great ride! I am continuing to compile my list of great rides to share with other riders (and as a part of my list of things to do to place in our Airbnb for riders in town). My list includes how many miles the ride is, a brief description of the ride, and I hope to be able to add starting and stopping points, as well as things to see and do along each ride. I know there are maps to that effect, but I had to get a big stack of maps to try to get all the info. I want to make just ONE list for riders!
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by soujrnr »

Just as an aside, further north from the TOTD is a ride called "The Snake." It's also a lot of fun! I rode it a couple months back. During the course of my ride, I saw no less than two crotch rocket pilots decide to see if they could fly. One guy took a turn going way too fast (typical of too much testosterone and too little gray matter) and he went off the road into the woods and down the embankment. I have no idea if he lived. The next guy I saw did the same exact thing. Both could be dead based upon the topography of that area. I was going the opposite direction both times, so I didn't stop. It would have really made a congested mess and people were already stopping on the other side. I had nothing to contribute at that point. Nope. It's just not worth it. If you want to ride like an asshat, take it to the track. Innocent people should not have to pay for the stupid games people play on roads like that. Thankfully, no innocent people were hurt (that time) but it happens all too often when selfish and lack of brains rules the ride. Please ride safely AND responsibility. The life you save might just be an innocent person!
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by wingpilot08 »

I have read all the post so far and agree with most of the other poster. I’ve been on the TOTD about 5 times on three different bike…even pulling a Bunkhouse camping trailer. It a good ride IF it isn’t loaded with other bikes and riders trying to be the fastest, leaning over the farthest, dragging knees or chrome. You HAVE to ride your own ride and not be influenced by others behind you. I no longer need to be on TOTD for any reason…there are far too many great roads in NC and the surrounding area to just ignore! Also agree with BOTD in Marion, VA…really a great ride!!
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by mdblackjazz »

Google " Dragon Death Map" All those people DIED a preventable death. Oh i hear some of you " If its your time to go it's your time to go."
Be my guest eat all the week old gas station Su Shi you want but you know it's dangerous . If ever that little voice in your head says I'm having
doubts , when in doubt Don't. Tail of The Dragon is Overated and stupid dangerous, never going back.
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by wildanimal84 »

Have been there a couple of times on my GOLDWING, my Harley, and my Goldwing trike, loved it the 1st time, after that I was a little nervous because of the other riders and their reckless behavior, In some ways it is overrated, and in some ways the danger cannot be stated enough, I say let the individual decide for themselves and either yay or nay on riding thru
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by WingAdmin »

detdrbuzzard wrote: Mon Jan 01, 2024 2:48 pm no i don't think that the tail of the dragon is over rated i think it is the most talked about. look at the Ohio windy 9, no one sez lets go ride the windy 9 they say lets go ride the 555. the dragon has the same problem, there are other great roads to ride but the talk is almost always about the dragon. i rode the dragon back in '16 or '17 with five other friends. once there i was the last one in our group on the dragon until YW passes me
The 555 is a wonderful road - the last time I rode it, I was completely on my own, virtually no traffic, so I rode it on my own terms, at my own rate, through one of the best rides I can recall. Just beautiful.
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Re: Tail of The Dragon N.C. Over rated

Post by Auburn »

Being from out west, I rode the Dragon 2 up last summer as part of our 4 corners / 48 state challenge. The only thing going for the Dragon is the photographers so you can get a picture and the gathering spots at the Dragon resort.

The Dragon is very short with too much traffic. The Appalachians offer many great roads but nowhere near the same length, quality or change in elevation that out west offers. Out west you can get the same tight twisties with mountain passes, mixed in high speed sweepers and better scenery.

Take a AAA map of Northern California and everyone of those black solid lines is an incredible twisty road. Most go for at least 50 - 100 miles. You can plan 600 mile days with nothing but twisties. These are not 15 minute rides like the Dragon. In that one area you can stack you 5 days of nothing but twisties if you want to. All up and down the west coast offers many places with great scenery going from I-5 over to the coast and back, in addition to all the paved forest service roads. Then their is the Cascades and Sierras and further east the Rockies. Imagine riding a road similar to the Dragon going through the Redwoods and nowhere near the same traffic.

The dragon was great once, fortunately we road it mid week with no traffic and it was enjoyable. As well as several other roads in the area. If you can get out west, you owe to yourself to spend as long as you can to enjoy the scenery and all the twisty roads.


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