It's getting closer - Rally Info Update - Page 3

cactusjack · 03-02-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

Todd, I have the same question Rick asked;
I have heard/read a little about riding "the Dragon" and apparently how dangerous it is with the number of bikes making the ride and seeing how fast they can do it. That, and then the sport cars that have a tendency to give little regard to the motorcyclists. How much of this is true or worth worrying about?
This is one reason I am thinking I will not be riding the Dragon. Some other idiot can kill me.

Yeah, I guess it's not for everyone. ::) Some idiot can kill you driving down the street in your own town.

Bull Durham · 03-02-2011, 05:06 PM

I rode the Dragon back in 2000 during the Honda Hoot rally. I didn't ride it in a group, just took my own time like Kawgirl said, you'll be fine, just don't bother to try and keep up with people. In 2000, I rode it on an antique sport bike and had fun, with these Nomads, I can't believe you can go very fast on the road, anyway.

I guess what would be the biggest problem, especially if you watch any Youtube video's on the Dragon, is just being alert from the 'young' crowd on their crotch rockets.

**nomadtom69** · 03-02-2011, 05:09 PM

The route we would be taking would be coming down the Dragon which puts you on the mountain side of the road not the drop off side of the road which is safer in my opinion middle of the week is good not as much traffic unless they have some sort of rally (cars-motorcycle) I will have to ck and see most of them are on the weekends the speed limit is 35 if you stay on that and space your self out its not bad they have the real bad curves painted SLOW in advance of them if you want to do 20 do 20 I will be there with you I am not a speed demon on curves I like the sweeping ones myself

**Top Cat** · 03-02-2011, 05:22 PM

I'll be the first to admit I am a candyass on twisties.
My problem is if I am going 20 and some roadrace wannabe comes up behind me and runs me over.

or a semi/sportscar comes around a curve on my side of the road.
My original plan was to ride to the store at the Dragon and wait while everyone rides it then join the group again when they come back. Now I see it is meet on the other end of the dragon.
We will just have to see how adventurious I feel that day.

cactusjack · 03-02-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

I'll be the first to admit I am a candyass on twisties.
My problem is if I am going 20 and some roadrace wannabe comes up behind me and runs me over.

or a semi/sportscar comes around a curve on my side of the road.
My original plan was to ride to the store at the Dragon and wait while everyone rides it then join the group again when they come back. Now I see it is meet on the other end of the dragon.
We will just have to see how adventurious I feel that day.

Come on TC, you can do eet!

**coacha** · 03-02-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawgirl (nckawgirl)

The Dragon can be dangerous as any road can be. During the week seems to be a better time for riding the Dragon. It gets packed on the weekends and makes it that much more challenging. My opinion is, if you ride your ride, you should be okay. Keep your eyes on the road and keep your focus on what you are doing. Don't try to keep up with someone else if you're not comfortable doing so. Take your time with it and you will be fine.

And don't pull a loaded camping trailer behind your bike and try it. Don't ask me how I know, I just do :)

**nomadtom69** · 03-02-2011, 06:04 PM

Todd have you thought about the Skyway to Tellico plains and up to DuckTown and back 19 to Maggie valley about 250 mile

**nomadtom69** · 03-02-2011, 06:11 PM

Looks like the closet thing to us on the Dragon is the Louisville Sport Bikes (about 70 of them) from June 10 to the 13th nothing else close. I would hate to be there on the last of April until the first part of may 3 bike rallys and 2 car rallys that weekend

sly · 03-02-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

I'll be the first to admit I am a candyass on twisties.
My problem is if I am going 20 and some roadrace wannabe comes up behind me and runs me over.

or a semi/sportscar comes around a curve on my side of the road.
My original plan was to ride to the store at the Dragon and wait while everyone rides it then join the group again when they come back. Now I see it is meet on the other end of the dragon.
We will just have to see how adventurious I feel that day.

I'll be right beside, behind you.... No expert here... but I'm going to do it for sure!

usranger74 · 03-02-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

I'll be the first to admit I am a candyass on twisties.
My problem is if I am going 20 and some roadrace wannabe comes up behind me and runs me over.

or a semi/sportscar comes around a curve on my side of the road.
My original plan was to ride to the store at the Dragon and wait while everyone rides it then join the group again when they come back. Now I see it is meet on the other end of the dragon.
We will just have to see how adventurious I feel that day.

I am in TC's camp. A slow moving MC (me) being run over by a fast mover is a real fear. I am from Maryville, TN and did the Dragon before it was called the Dragon but I am going to pass on it now. Yes, I am a wussy

Bull Durham · 03-02-2011, 06:54 PM

Believe me, not everything is going fast. When I did it before, was stuck behind a guy on a tractor for quite a while. If you can ride around in a parking lot, you can do it. Since you can't lean very much on a Nomad, I doubt you could go over 20 in a curve, anyway. At least the curves I remember.

**Top Cat** · 03-02-2011, 06:58 PM

Bull Durham,You see the look on the kids face in your avitar? That's what I will look like from te start of the Dragon to the finish

Todd · 03-02-2011, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawgirl (nckawgirl)

The Dragon can be dangerous as any road can be. During the week seems to be a better time for riding the Dragon. It gets packed on the weekends and makes it that much more challenging. My opinion is, if you ride your ride, you should be okay. Keep your eyes on the road and keep your focus on what you are doing. Don't try to keep up with someone else if you're not comfortable doing so. Take your time with it and you will be fine.

I can't say it any better than that

sly · 03-02-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

Bull Durham,You see the look on the kids face in your avitar? That's what I will look like from te start of the Dragon to the finish

still laughing....

Todd · 03-02-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadtom69

Todd have you thought about the Skyway to Tellico plains and up to DuckTown and back 19 to Maggie valley about 250 mile

Yep, that was one of the routes that was in the mix....will probably include that on the recommended rides sheet.

250 miles might be stretching it with a group, especially when some have ridden 1000 + to get there.

03-02-2011, 05:06 PM	#32
Bull Durham Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA area Posts: 785	It's getting closer - Rally Info Update I rode the Dragon back in 2000 during the Honda Hoot rally. I didn't ride it in a group, just took my own time like Kawgirl said, you'll be fine, just don't bother to try and keep up with people. In 2000, I rode it on an antique sport bike and had fun, with these Nomads, I can't believe you can go very fast on the road, anyway. I guess what would be the biggest problem, especially if you watch any Youtube video's on the Dragon, is just being alert from the 'young' crowd on their crotch rockets. __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad VBA #1608 KZR #25622
	0

03-02-2011, 05:09 PM	#33
nomadtom69 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryville, Tn Posts: 2,656	It's getting closer - Rally Info Update The route we would be taking would be coming down the Dragon which puts you on the mountain side of the road not the drop off side of the road which is safer in my opinion middle of the week is good not as much traffic unless they have some sort of rally (cars-motorcycle) I will have to ck and see most of them are on the weekends the speed limit is 35 if you stay on that and space your self out its not bad they have the real bad curves painted SLOW in advance of them if you want to do 20 do 20 I will be there with you I am not a speed demon on curves I like the sweeping ones myself __________________ (NomadTom69)Tom Green Previous bikes - 2004 BMW R1200 CLC 2006 Nomad 1600 Black -1985 BMW K100 RT VBA #001609 Viet-Nam Vet 71-72 Maryville , Tn. Maggie Valley '11-Townsend '12-Estes Park '13- Copperhead fall rally "13- Elkins WV '14- Eureka Springs ' 15- Helen Ga. SE Rally '16
	0

03-02-2011, 05:22 PM	#34
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	It's getting closer - Rally Info Update I'll be the first to admit I am a candyass on twisties. My problem is if I am going 20 and some roadrace wannabe comes up behind me and runs me over. or a semi/sportscar comes around a curve on my side of the road. My original plan was to ride to the store at the Dragon and wait while everyone rides it then join the group again when they come back. Now I see it is meet on the other end of the dragon. We will just have to see how adventurious I feel that day. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
	0

03-02-2011, 06:04 PM	#37
nomadtom69 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryville, Tn Posts: 2,656	It's getting closer - Rally Info Update Todd have you thought about the Skyway to Tellico plains and up to DuckTown and back 19 to Maggie valley about 250 mile __________________ (NomadTom69)Tom Green Previous bikes - 2004 BMW R1200 CLC 2006 Nomad 1600 Black -1985 BMW K100 RT VBA #001609 Viet-Nam Vet 71-72 Maryville , Tn. Maggie Valley '11-Townsend '12-Estes Park '13- Copperhead fall rally "13- Elkins WV '14- Eureka Springs ' 15- Helen Ga. SE Rally '16
	0

03-02-2011, 06:11 PM	#38
nomadtom69 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryville, Tn Posts: 2,656	It's getting closer - Rally Info Update Looks like the closet thing to us on the Dragon is the Louisville Sport Bikes (about 70 of them) from June 10 to the 13th nothing else close. I would hate to be there on the last of April until the first part of may 3 bike rallys and 2 car rallys that weekend __________________ (NomadTom69)Tom Green Previous bikes - 2004 BMW R1200 CLC 2006 Nomad 1600 Black -1985 BMW K100 RT VBA #001609 Viet-Nam Vet 71-72 Maryville , Tn. Maggie Valley '11-Townsend '12-Estes Park '13- Copperhead fall rally "13- Elkins WV '14- Eureka Springs ' 15- Helen Ga. SE Rally '16
	0

03-02-2011, 06:54 PM	#41
Bull Durham Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA area Posts: 785	It's getting closer - Rally Info Update Believe me, not everything is going fast. When I did it before, was stuck behind a guy on a tractor for quite a while. If you can ride around in a parking lot, you can do it. Since you can't lean very much on a Nomad, I doubt you could go over 20 in a curve, anyway. At least the curves I remember. __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad VBA #1608 KZR #25622
	0

03-02-2011, 06:58 PM	#42
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	It's getting closer - Rally Info Update Bull Durham,You see the look on the kids face in your avitar? That's what I will look like from te start of the Dragon to the finish __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
	0

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