Nomads on the Dragon!

[Yellow Jacket]

I know many of you have ridden on the Dragon, or as some call it - The Tail of the Dragon, at Deals Gap.

Here are some photos of Nomads on the Dragon taken by Darryl Cannon known as Killboy at killboy.com.

The dates of the photos range from 2004-2009.

Enjoy!



http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/00851.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/011220.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/01800.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/03430.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/04715.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/IMG_0650.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/img_1017.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/img_3121.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/img_4648.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/img_5562.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/img_6537.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/img_6689.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/img_7097.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/img_7435.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/img_8207.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/img_8887.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/img_9491.jpg

[phenrichs]

some nice paint jobs on some of those.
That looks fun.

[watchman]

Liz and I rode it two years ago and have the photo's from Killboy and Zee photo on our computer as our screen saver.

[stewdogg]

Liz and I rode it two years ago and have the photo's from Killboy and Zee photo on our computer as our screen saver.

So do we get to see the pic or is it in the list? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[paulo]

Great Pics---Thx
Have booked marked 'killboy.com'

[ringadingh]

There were some nice bikes in those pics.

[trip]

The day I slayed the dragon, Killboy was not there. They took the day off.

But, I rode the Dragon three times that day. Actually got sore in the shoulders from working the turns.

[cactusjack]

Some good looking Nomads there! Too bad the camera isn't fast enough to catch the all black ones. You need radar to pick those up.

[phenrichs]

Radar, isn't that the same kind they use to open the automatic doors at the grocery store for those "fast" black wheel chairs?

[cactusjack]

Radar, isn't that the same kind they use to open the automatic doors at the grocery store for those "fast" black wheel chairs?

Hey now, no need to be hatin' on me because you chose the wrong color Nomad. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Todd]

Was on it Friday....thanks for the reminder...I gotta go see if they got me on there...will post if they do.

[dogdoc]

I know what you mean thar Trip, i slayed the dragon 4 times in one day back in 2007. :-)

[unwind2]

I can't believe nobody else has mentioned this but in pic number 3.....what is she grabbing for? http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gifand ..what is she saying in his ear?

Nice pics....some interesting paint jobs.


BTW....some of the passengers are in sleeveless tops, some in shorts with whimmpy shoes on.....not good IMHO.

[Top Cat]

Ya beat me to it Nancy http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
I was going to ask the same question. I can't believe he stayed on the road ;)

[borto1990]

what was the blue on the crash bars like 4 pics in.. any ideas?

[Todd]

The blue looks like he wrapped his bars in foam "just in case"

Here's mine from last Friday 7/24....check out my wife's face as the floorboard was draggin'... hehehehe ;) ;)

...had to call ahead and let 'em know a black on was coming through so they could increase their shutter speed ;) ;) ;)

...and yes...that's a KawaNOW shirt http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/toddf1_2007/Photo1.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/toddf1_2007/Photo2.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/toddf1_2007/Photo3.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/toddf1_2007/Photo4.jpg

[ells]

what was the blue on the crash bars like 4 pics in.. any ideas?

Strange alright, maybe he was planning on going down ???

[glwilson]

what was the blue on the crash bars like 4 pics in.. any ideas?

He put them on the bars to protect them in the event he dropped the bike.

They of course would only work if the bike were to neatly land and remain on the crash-bars -- typically at slow speeds. At speeds going down that road, there is a good chance the bike won't remain on the bars -- but would rather go end-over-end -- most certainly pipe-insulation would not hold-up under a moving crash onto the bars.

I also noted that rider's body position; and his foot on his rear brake pedal. The posture was not good -- looked far too stiff and "out of kilter" for curves; and I'll bet he rode the rear-brake the entire way down the hill.

I could be wrong; as that picture just might have caught him in that position for one instant -- but I doubt it -- especially considering how much foam he wrapped on his crash bars.

Cool pics and some great paint on a couple of these bikes.

[dandolfn]

what was the blue on the crash bars like 4 pics in.. any ideas?


Looks like foam you use to insulate pipes with.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Great pics Bob. I have got to get over and slay the dragon.

[Blue Rebel]

Good looking pics. Just were is this dragon?

[Blue Rebel]

Actually, if you ride from Durango Mexico to Mazatlan, 75% of the trip, (240 km long), it looks just like this dragon and then some. This one is called Diablo Pass, and you'll really feel in the arms.

[cactusjack]

The blue looks like he wrapped his bars in foam "just in case"

Here's mine from last Friday 7/24....check out my wife's face as the floorboard was draggin'... hehehehe ;) ;)

...had to call ahead and let 'em know a black on was coming through so they could increase their shutter speed ;) ;) ;)

...and yes...that's a KawaNOW shirt http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/toddf1_2007/Photo1.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/toddf1_2007/Photo2.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/toddf1_2007/Photo3.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/toddf1_2007/Photo4.jpg

I knew I could count on you, buddy! Good thing they had that high speed camera.

[cactusjack]

what was the blue on the crash bars like 4 pics in.. any ideas?

He put them on the bars to protect them in the event he dropped the bike.

They of course would only work if the bike were to neatly land and remain on the crash-bars -- typically at slow speeds. At speeds going down that road, there is a good chance the bike won't remain on the bars -- but would rather go end-over-end -- most certainly pipe-insulation would not hold-up under a moving crash onto the bars.

I also noted that rider's body position; and his foot on his rear brake pedal. The posture was not good -- looked far too stiff and "out of kilter" for curves; and I'll bet he rode the rear-brake the entire way down the hill.

I could be wrong; as that picture just might have caught him in that position for one instant -- but I doubt it -- especially considering how much foam he wrapped on his crash bars.

Cool pics and some great paint on a couple of these bikes.

Yeah, his riding position doesn't look natural at all. He looks like he's more nervous than a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs. He's white-knuckling it.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

In the pic with the blue insulation wrap, if you notice he was smiling. I don't think he was worried. I know I wouldn't be smiling if I were in a bad situation.

[Todd]

In the pic with the blue insulation wrap, if you notice he was smiling. I don't think he was worried. I know I wouldn't be smiling if I were in a bad situation.

I think he was prolly tip toeing through it.....I've followed a few through there like that...and that's ok...usually just find a pull out spot and let em go ahead and then start back after a few minutes......gotta do it at the speed you can safely get through it.....

They had their 6th fatality of the year last Thursday...the day before we rode it....rider entered a 10mph posted curve too fast and reportedly drifted into an on coming car......very sorry to hear that kinda stuff......so, I try to remember that and not push someone in front of me..

In fact, followed a gentleman on the Cherohala on a new 09 Nomad for several miles and it was clear that he was new to the big bike and was going veeeeeeeeery slow...but that's ok...unfortunately I was unable to to follow him to a stop and speak with him about KawaNOW..hope he shows up!

[ringadingh]

My neighbours have all ridden that road on a trip two summers ago. Im definately going to have to get down there some day and try it out for myself. It sure looks like a lot of fun.

[dhomoney]

Was on it Friday....thanks for the reminder...I gotta go see if they got me on there...will post if they do.

Sorry Todd the best they have been able to do with black Nomads is a blur as we are just so damned fast compared to the other, slower Nomads. :)

[dhomoney]

My neighbours have all ridden that road on a trip two summers ago. Im definately going to have to get down there some day and try it out for myself. It sure looks like a lot of fun.

Maybe for the 2011 Rally???????? :)

[dhomoney]

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Nomads%20on%20the%20Dragon/IMG_0650.jpg

"I'M GONNA DIE, I'M GONNA DIE, OH PLEASE DON'T POOPIE, DON'T FORGET TO SMILE!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

[coacha]

Got a chance to ride it with David last November. I think I got mine leaned over a couple times to about 5% lean angle, lol. I was blasting through those corners at about 10 mph and dragging...nothing, lol. Been there, done that, got the patch and the sticker. Don't think I'll do it again.

Dixie has some other roads that he said will wear you out just as much.

[cactusjack]

Smilling? Blue padding guy looks like he's gritting his teeth! Oh damn...oh damn...oh damn...

[scion0]

Some good looking Nomads there! Too bad the camera isn't fast enough to catch the all black ones. You need radar to pick those up.

+1

[flavor]

Rode the dragon in June on my trip. Nice to say you rode it but twice I felt like I was getting motion sickness from all the turns. Scraped the floorboards 4 or 5 times. Really have to pay attention watching for other drivers and cyclists who take it too fast. I enjoyed the roads in the area much more than the dragon. If I had a crotch rocket I might be tempted to go to fast that's why they have the tree of shame with parts from bikes that have crashed.

[darthvulcan]

what was the blue on the crash bars like 4 pics in.. any ideas?

Looks like foam padding from those "pool noodles" the kids use in the water.

Great pics! Especially like those 2-up pictures! Looks so natural on the Nomad! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[Yellow Jacket]

I can't believe nobody else has mentioned this but in pic number 3.....what is she grabbing for?

According to what I read on Killboy's site, this couple had just gotten married! I can only imagine. . . .




Good looking pics. Just were is this dragon?

The Dragon is part of US 129 on the western edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Check out these websites:

http://www.dealsgap.com/
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

[atmooney]

Thanks for posting the pics Yellow Jacket! I'll probably wait til I have racked up some more miles/experience with my '05. Looks like it could be alot of fun though! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[nomadliz]

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj204/watchman9039/kill%20boy%20dragon%20pics/?albumview=slideshow
Hope this works this is some pictures of when we were on the dragon in 04 was a lot of fun...

[dabull]

went on the Region ride with our SENR Group....split off after a half day or so and rode the dragon...it was fun, made you focus and think...but the better part of the day was the Cherohala and other associated roads...those were AWESOME!

[misunderstood]

Nice pics, Thanks for posting, but where am I ?? ;)

[cheriann]

*raises hand*
I wanna play too!!!! Chaz and I just recently slayed the Dragon ourselves!!!! It was so much much fun, we did it TWICE that day http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

So, let me add to the Nomads on the Tail pictures....
(These are from the web site, but I DO own them now, they are all on our home computers and I don't have them here at work...)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/CheriKarp/ChazTail7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/CheriKarp/ChazTail8.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/CheriKarp/ChazTail6.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/CheriKarp/ChazTail5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/CheriKarp/ChazTail4.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/CheriKarp/ChazTail3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/CheriKarp/ChazTail.jpg

One of me.... http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/CheriKarp/CheriTail.jpg

Us at Deals Gap

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/CheriKarp/ChazDragon.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/CheriKarp/ChazCheri.jpg

[Top Cat]

Todd, the look on your wifes face is classic. I'm thinkig the noise scared her a little. BUT, she kept her hands on her knees and didn't grab your ribs like a lot of passenges would have.

[Jared]

Nice pics for sure! My wife and I went down the dragon a couple of sundays back.

[rflnomad]

Look at the exhaust on the last bike in the first group of pictures. No goat belly? Not V&H? Is this a 'home altered' stock exhaust or is this the Jardine system?
Looks like fun, anyway.

[bfancett]

Those who question thier ability to keep the bike on 2 wheels often put PVC insulation (foam) around the crash bars, so that if they drop the bike, the bars won't get scratched. He must have seen the dragon and got nervous!! ;)

Good idea if you ever want to do some parking lot practice with tight turns and figure 8's.

I redid the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course with my Nomad, and put some of that on the bars. Thankfully, I didn't really need it.

[phenrichs]

Look at the exhaust on the last bike in the first group of pictures. No goat belly? Not V&H? Is this a 'home altered' stock exhaust or is this the Jardine system?
Looks like fun, anyway.

Those sure look like stock mufflers to me. But yeah, no goat bladder.

I have seen adapters to eliminate it. If you can weld anything is possible. I would love to weld in a pipe so that my stock pipes dont connect.

[Top Cat]

OP, I'm not to mechanical, What advantage would not having your pipes connect give you?