I have no problem with the 30 mph limit on that road......FYI I am doing the Dragon...For all of those saying skip it, no. I do not care if it is not scenic. This is a ride I want to take.....we will have scenic rides, but I want to ride on a road that averages 30 curves per mile......I understand it is a challenge....I am doing the skyway and another ride or two.....I was looking for suggestions in addition to the Dragon.

 

Moonshiner 28
Foothills Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Snake 421
Hwy 11w-66-33-70-11w
Hwy 70 to Hot Springs and there are several good roads put of there including 209 that will take you over to I40.
They are not all "vista" roads...Some are just really twisty from point a to b.
Some of the vista roads will be Foothills Parkway, Cherohala, Blue Ridge Parkway, Hwy 19e over Roan Mountain, etc etc etc...

 

Yes, some folks mount a GPS to the bar on their bikes.
Several mounts available to use a car GPS on a motorcycle.
From about $10 to $$$$$ for a mount.
Harley Davidson even has a website called HD Ride Planner that allows riders to create ride plans and to see them in both MAP and Satellite formats.
Those rides can be saved, shared and downloaded into a GPS.
That is why i mentioned waypoints and such because many riders forget and get very frustrated when the GPS does not follow their created route because the unit itself will recalculate for distance or time.
Even if you do not plan on using a GPS the Ride Planner is a rather neat tool to plan rides and print directions.
There are many things to see or possibly miss in that area and a little planning goes a long way.
The use of one of the maps mentioned before (Madmaps or America Rides) helps in planning.
So many people ride that area and never see the fugitive dam, ride across the Fontana Dam, Fail to Ride Moonshiner 28, Never ride the Cherohala and never see the water falls and generally just see Tail of the Dragon but miss the whole area.
I would ride the Tail of the Dragon in both directions but consider not making it the only highlight of your trip.
There is a heavy police presence in the Tail of the Dragon area and it is not someplace to ride beyond abilities.
Hanging your motorcycle parts on the tree of shame can hurt.

 

Ahem.....when I ride like this, with the exception of getting to my hotel room.....GPS IS FORBIDDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

Also, doing the Cherohala as soon as we do the Dragon

 

If you're going during the holiday, forget the dragon. Went last year during a holiday and I could have walked the mountain quicker. The other routes were not busy, such as Cherhola.

 

Not a holiday, just a weekend

 

Something a lot of people don't know about. If you happen to loop around to the Harley dealer in maryville. They have a little BBQ restaurant back in the garage. Good food and have some suds. Prices are average.

 

Yes they do,and on the weekends they have live music,if your only there for the weekend ,then just riding is what i would do-----there are many great rides in NC and Tn within the Smokies ,but you need more than 2 days to enjoy---just my 2cents worth-----if your with the wife take her to Robbinsville and stay at Riverside Treehouse Resort[its a dry county so bring in your adult bev]

Enjoy

Rocker

 

I think Moon Shiner run is hands down better the the tail and the Shyway is also nice run

 

All good.
Everyone has different ideas.
That is why sometimes folks come on the forum for suggestions.
Enjoy your time.