Q about The Dragon

[skyriazes]

I'm an IL VTXRider. Posted this Q on the IL VTXRider message board, then went "duh", better to post it on the TN board. I'm hoping to head down to the Honda Hoot in June for a number of reasons but mostly to ride The Dragon. I have a buddy who's a sportbike rider that has ridden it and he tells me it isn't worth it to ride it on a cruiser 'cuz you gotta go too slow to have any fun. I think he's yankin my chain, but I was wondering what those of you who have ridden The Dragon on your X's can tell me what you thought of it.

[battoo]

My wife and I have been to the Dragon twice the first time on 750 shadow spirits and the second on the X we loved it ,

[vtx10-uh-c]

ride it... then ride the Cherohala. then you decide.

[MotorMark]

Living where I do, I usually ride the Dragon 15-20 times per year. It is fun. Any motorcycle on that road is fun. And yes, the Cherohala is awesome, as is Foothills Parkway. Lots of good roads in this vicinity.

Mark

[RocketVTX]

I have ridden the Dragon on sport bikes and the X, it is more fun on the sport bike. I enjoy the Skyway more on the X.

[paulsuerth]

i've done it many times; varyingly on a 04 vtx1300c, 97 blackbird, 98 superhawk and a 03 vtx1800s.
for my 2c, ride like you do on any other public road and pay attention to conditions; if you enjoy your bike your will enjoy your bike on the dragon.

[KevTN]

The Dragon is fun, but I like the Cherohala a bit better. The next time I go I am going to hit the Hellbender I have a buddy who just rode it and loved it. Like all have said. The Dragon is fun, it is NOT a sight seeing rode! LOL, but if you're comming from Ill. make sure you ride the:

Dragon
Hellbender
Cherohala
Foothills Parkway

Then you decide and let us know which you like the best. btw: ride the dragon during the week days. seems like less boneheads are there.

and the biggest thing.....Just have fun!!

Kevin

[Hamayar]

I'm an IL VTXRider. Posted this Q on the IL VTXRider message board, then went "duh", better to post it on the TN board. I'm hoping to head down to the Honda Hoot in June for a number of reasons but mostly to ride The Dragon. I have a buddy who's a sportbike rider that has ridden it and he tells me it isn't worth it to ride it on a cruiser 'cuz you gotta go too slow to have any fun. I think he's yankin my chain, but I was wondering what those of you who have ridden The Dragon on your X's can tell me what you thought of it.


Ive ridden the Dragon a few times, doesnt matter what youre riding, the speed limit is 30 mph and you can do that on the VTX no problem.
(other than the fact its wall to wall beginners on bikes doing 25)

IMHO I agree with others who have said that the Cerohala is a far nicer ride 8)

[dpearly]

The Dragon is fun, but I like the Cherohala a bit better. The next time I go I am going to hit the Hellbender I have a buddy who just rode it and loved it. Like all have said. The Dragon is fun, it is NOT a sight seeing rode! LOL, but if you're comming from Ill. make sure you ride the:

Dragon
Hellbender
Cherohala
Foothills Parkway

Then you decide and let us know which you like the best. btw: ride the dragon during the week days. seems like less boneheads are there.

and the biggest thing.....Just have fun!!

Kevin

agree with above and also ride Hwy 32 starting from Cosby, TN heading south. now that's a curvy road and in the 7-10 miles i was on it, no cars, no people (i think i heard banjoes), or maybe even do the Devil's Triangle or the Blue Ridge Parkway.

do the "dragon" just so you can say you did it, but it didn't impress me as much as the others.

[chefonavtx]

I have done the Dragon 2 times and the last time out that way contined down to rt60 and across Ga to another rt ???back up to Maggie Valley and did the Blue Ridge Parkway. All the roads are GREAT just watch for the crotch rockets and trucks coming around the corners.

Enjoy the ride.

[Mem-X]

If you must ride the Dragon ... Do it on a weekday. The idiots are out en masse starting Firday afternoon. The Skyway is much more pleasurable and after having ridden both several times I believe the Dragon is way over-rated unless you like that kind of thing. :shock:

[olyeller]

I have rode it 3 times. Twice on my Honda 600RR and last time on my VTX 1300 and while each was a diffrent experience both bikes were a BLAST!! It's harder to do on a cruiser or was with me so excitement level is up there (sportbike seems more surgical on control)
I say go for it. The ride is great either way.

[Smoke Diver]

I live 20 minutes from the dragon and have ridden it several time on my 1800c. I enjoy the challenge but that road is a lot of work on a bike that big especially with 2 people on it. There are tons of great roads to keep busy while you were here. If you need some ideas just let me know. When have several loops that let you ride all day and not see the same road twice.

[Scarecrow]

Over the past few years, I have ridden the Dragon many times (even at night a few times). It is a great road to ride, but there is only one place with a view (the Calderwood Lake overview). It is very challenging and way too crowded on weekends. Definitely not for the faint of heart.

The Cherohala Skyway is different. Long sweepers, vistic views, may pull offs. But not a challenge and not crowded at all (BTW, watch the LEOs here.......I know).

Others in the area:

Hellbender (NC 28 between Stecoah and Deal's Gap) is very challenging and less crowded than the Dragon
NC 28 between Franklin, NC and US 19 has two great sections and is not crowded
Foothills Parkway - everywhere is great with better views than the Cherohala, but I especially like between US 23 and NC 215.............
NC 215 is one of my favorites, either north to Waynesville off the BRP or south toward Rosman. This road is a virgin! Little traffic and just as curvy as the Dragon!!!
NC 209 between I-40 and Hot Springs. Another gem with no traffic and a good mix of riding.
US 70 between Rockwood, TN and Crab Orchard, TN. Good ride but a bit on the short side.
US 421 between Mountain City, TN and Shady Valley, TN

I could go on and on. There are also great roads in SW Virginia, SE Kentucky, NE Georgia, and NW South Carolina. I haven't ridden them all, but I'll bet I've hit most.

BTW, if you're coming down for the Hoot, join us for the BBQ on June 20. I have hit some great roads the past two years and this year won't be any different. Nothing like doing the twisties with 30+ VTXs. Information is posted on the Rides Board, along with most state boards in the eastern US.

Scarecrow

[1st Born]

The dragon is fun especially the first time. I ride beemers and I rode with a guy with a x18 who lives up there and is a great rider, took alot for me to keep up though I did. The problem is there are alot of bikes on all the roads up there during the Hoot. Of coarse with the bikes theres cops, and with all the bikes respect others, let them faster by, and stay in your lane and ride safe. Enjoy!

[Smoke Diver]

Check out my pic below of my girlfriend and I on the dragon in April. Look at the yellow line behind my bike. That is why the dragon is so much fun!

[Bisley]

I'm more of a Cherohalia kind of guy...more pulloffs and overlooks and for the most part, polite drivers (and riders). However that being said....ride it (best during the weekdays) and really watch out for sportscars and tractor trailers....shoot....just watch out for every body else and take your time to enjoy the road....one of the posts earlier in the week someone reported a Hayabusa rider killed in a single vehicle accident. Just be careful and enjoy, Bisley