Is the Tail of the Dragon overrated?

[Grumpy Goat]

I have not yet ridden the Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina/Tennessee so cannot speak from first-hand experience. But I have seen many videos on YouTube on it - from people who have ridden it successfully and without incident, to crash videos.

Then I saw this video and the points he raised align with my thinking 100% and pretty much in the same order.



In this video, the rider suggests that The Devil's Whip is a better road, and from his footage it certainly looks more like what I would like. With half as many curves in a similar distance (160 curves in 12 miles with a 2000ft elevation change) I would probably not find it too monotonous, which is exactly what happens when I am too long on a road with a lot of curves. Too much work.

Will I ride the Tail of the Dragon? Most likely ... just to say that I did it, but I would most likely ride it in the middle of the week when the traffic is lowest.

What do you really think of the Tail of the Dragon?

[BobAin'tStoppin']

I rode the dragon a few years back. On a Guzzi Breva. It was not fun. That bike had a lot of drive line slop and it was difficult to ride it smoothly with all the on/off transitions on that road. The Dragon is for boy racers who want to think about how great a rider they are. Doesn't relate to me at all. There are people falling off of the road all over the place, and it looks like the cops have found any number of trapping locations. For me, I'd go mid week, early in the morning, and do a gentle cruise just to say I was there. Also, there are lots of great roads all around that area.

[darrell]

I'm not sure I'd say overrated but certainly not a road I feel is worth the safety risk especially on weekends. As Bob stated, ride it once on a weekday just to say you did, spend a couple of hours at the hangout down at the bottom looking at the Tree of Shame and then mossy on down Hwy 28.

When you get to Helen we can take a full day and enjoy the highest point in GA checking out the scenery (Thanks Bob for mentioning this to me) as that will be right close to The Gauntlet which we'll ride one day. Several uTube videos on this 133 mile route as well.

Terry and John told me they felt the roads around Helen were as good as those they rode in NC. I agree having spent 2 days there riding this fall.

http://www.gauntletga.com

[Duccrazydave]

I'm probably closer to the Dragon than most on this forum, but still haven't made it there, despite planning multiple times over the years (shame). Quite a few friends have been and relayed the same info about when to go, the number of accidents, police presence, etc. The biggest issue seems to be the frequency of blowing the corner resulting in "crossing the line" incidents, usually into the path of someone traveling the opposite direction. Which often doesn't end well for either party involved. Which is probably why KillBoy (photographer) does so well in that area

[Olgry1]

I watched the video and agree with pretty much everything he said related to "why 129 is overrated" except for his "too many curves" statement. The numerous curves make the road a very technical road to ride and as such rider technique becomes more and more important the faster you go. I like the challenges that are associated with riding the road quickly.

As others have mentioned the best time to ride Deals Gap is during the week (M-Th) and in the early morning (7a.m. - 10ish) on those days. As Darrell mentions hanging out at the store is worthwhile. You can grab bite to eat, get something to drink, buy a t-shirt or some other souvenirs, take some pictures and BS with other riders.

Anymore the vast majority of riders are not sport bike riders but people on Harley, Indians etc. Ten to fifteen years ago the vast majority of riders were on sport bikes. Back in the day Terry and I rode down there on sport bikes (ZX12R, GSXR-1000, etc.).

My brother and I went down there a number of years ago and I lead him through at a nice slow pace so that he was comfortable on bike.

Speaking about grabbing a bite to eat the wife told me dinner is ready.....

[AZGeek]

I had heard of Tail of the Dragon and started looking at various vlogs, forum posts, etc., in researching what it would take to ride there. It didn't take too long after seeing Kiillboy's shots that I lost all interest in riding there. Many of the same reasons mentioned in the video in the OP. Too much notoriety that attracts too many inexperienced riders that are immediately placed in an environment that exceeds their skill level. Not worth the risk just to say I've ridden there.

[Duccrazydave]

So Wednesday, June 12th, it finally happened! A group of 5 of us rode up from Helen to Deals Gap. Despite the early rain, which cleared off relatively quickly, it turned out to be an excellent day trip. I'm sure the conditions contributed to the light amount of traffic in the area.
We waited out the rain at the Pit Stop gas station, then headed up to the Dragon. First run through was in the wet (!) at a sensible pace. The pavement was smooth and imperfections were marked with spray paint. Treating the road with the respect that any unfamiliar road demands made the ride very enjoyable. 129 resembles quite a few of my local routes, close to home, minus the intersections, driveways, etc. My friend Kent had a small mishap on the return run back to the store. But not so much as to keep him from making another trip up and back after lunch. I've started to see a common language among motorcyclists. The word "spirited" comes to mind :-) Which describes the pace of the next (dry) run up and back while following Bruce and Dawn. I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face! At one point, Bruce says "How is it that I have to come all the way from Minnesota to lead you on a road in your own state?" A legitimate question which had me truly laughing out loud.
Honestly, the roads and scenery on both of the day trips out from Helen (to Hendersonville and Deals Gap) were spectacular.

[MrVvrroomm]

Anyone who thinks the Dragon is overrated is not riding it correctly. It's one of the best stretches of road I've ever been on in my life, anywhere in the world.

[Olgry1]

Anyone who thinks the Dragon is overrated is not riding it correctly. It's one of the best stretches of road I've ever been on in my life, anywhere in the world.

I have only ridden in the USA and Canada but I would have to agree with Bruce. The Dragon is, for me, still the most challenging and the best road I have ever ridden on in my 42 years of riding. There are a number of other great roads but for me none match the intensity and thrill of 318 curves in less than 20 minutes.

My first trip to and then riding Deals Gap (now more commonly known as the Dragon) was on a 1989 BMW K100RSABS in the early 90s. Since then I have ridden the road an average of at least once every year.

Over the years the Dragon has become more popular and is a more of a "destination ride" for a number of motorcyclist. It is still very popular with sport bike purists but they pick certain days and times to ride it to avoid both traffic and the police.

This year I have already ridden Deals Gap on two separate trips and each time I ride it I still have a big smile only face.

[VTBob]

I first rode the dragon about 20 years ago when the RA had their national rally in Fontana. Every who has ridden the dragon know that it is a long great string of relatively "tight" curves. What surprised most then was the fact that the inside lane often had a distinctly different slope than the out side lane so if you wander across lanes (as I often do) you lean angle must change abruptly. I thoroughly enjoy riding it several times.

I've been back thru there a few times since. Now, I've found the pavement better, I did not notice the old difference in slope of the two lanes, found a lot more traffic so passing was need to enjoy the road ( it is not a good road to pass on ...so bit scary. I do love the tree of motorcycle bits, the very enterprising gift shop, and the opportunity to sit back and view a disparate group of bikes and riders. Riding it is not as much fun now... but still good!

The last time I was in the area a couple of years ago, I passed up on the dragon to take the Cherhola Parkway (less traffic, better views, lots of high speed sweepers) . I like this better mainly due to the less traffic so you can really ride the road as it needs to be ridden.

There are lots of side roads in the area that are GREAT...just wander off the well traveled routes.

[Lee]

Welcome to the site Cody.
Where in Ontario are you from?

[Grumpy Goat]

Welcome Cody! And from St.Catharines too. We lived there before coming to Houston.

BTW - I edited your photo so it is 1024 pixels wide and it fits on the screen without having to scroll sideways.

[Duccrazydave]

It took a quick shutter to catch a Lupin RS

[Grumpy Goat]

Thx Grumpy, will use that size in the future. Houston is real nice my sister move down their a few years back

Warm today I bet.

Yep ... they are "admitting" that it will hit 100 deg.F today. Earlier this week when they forecasted 95 deg.F I saw 101 deg.F on the bike's display. Wonder what I will see today.

Yeah, thanks for the resize.

Many folks might not realise that with the higher megapixel cameras, what you get is bigger photos which are great for making prints, but for posting online is a waste of time, file size and screen space. Even on photography websites, the default size is screen-friendly. If the browser scales the picture to fit, then you still get a smaller picture, and if it doesn't then you have to scroll sideways, which is a no-no. Then there is the file size issue. Best to always resize to about 1024 pixels wide.

[Grumpy Goat]

just looking at online photos of the dragon run, it looks like it may be a good idea to remove the center stand on the RS for a little more clearance on the tight turns.
Always wondered what would scrape first.

Yep, unless you have a single-sided paddock stand for the back and you work on your own bike. It is a trade-off for me ... low cornering or convenience for working on the bike / fixing flat rear tire? As you know from my vids I like to work on my bike and the centre stand is a god-send.

[Grumpy Goat]

It took a quick shutter to catch a Lupin RS

I am sure Bruce and Dawn represent the faster bikes quite well.

   

[Lee]

Many folks might not realize that with the higher megapixel cameras, what you get is bigger photos which are great for making prints, but for posting online is a waste of time, file size and screen space.

And cell phone pictures are even larger.
On my camera and phone I do not change the file size in settings and take picture in the full size.
I save my pictures on the computer in the full size, then copy any pictures I might post on the internet to a new folder at a reduced size.

[Grumpy Goat]

And cell phone pictures are even larger.
On my camera and phone I do not change the file size in settings and take picture in the full size.
I save my pictures on the computer in the full size, then copy any pictures I might post on the internet to a new folder at a reduced size.

Excellent approach. Same here.

[Grumpy Goat]

...
the pic is a little confusing with the fast Lupin in 3rd, must be a nice guy.

Oh he is a great guy ... (Duccrazydave)

[Lee]

I need to get those hand covers the front 2 bikes have,

The 2nd bike has Bark Busters.