Dragon question
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 4
From: Crisfield, MD
Good times for us last year but the wife was pretty tense first run given the knee draggers around us and a wing tailing us close. Return trip we were the only ones on it, much better.
We enjoyed moonshiner 28 more. If your down there it's a good ride one time though if in the area next there are plenty of good roads. We didn't make it to Cherohola but enjoyed the BRP and the road though the smokies up to Klingmans dome too.
We were loaded down in the smokies but empty bags and rack on the dragon and glad I didn't have the extra weight then on those hairpins and quick climbs.
We based out of Maggie Valley for a week which was great for heading in any direction for day rides.
We enjoyed moonshiner 28 more. If your down there it's a good ride one time though if in the area next there are plenty of good roads. We didn't make it to Cherohola but enjoyed the BRP and the road though the smokies up to Klingmans dome too.
We were loaded down in the smokies but empty bags and rack on the dragon and glad I didn't have the extra weight then on those hairpins and quick climbs.
We based out of Maggie Valley for a week which was great for heading in any direction for day rides.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 2,424
From: USA
I'll agree with the comments about other roads being more pleasurable. The Cherohala especially.
Lots of dingbats on the Dragon. Expect squirrels in cages and on bikes to be on your side of the lane quite frequently, because they can't ride or drive worth a darn but are going to push it because they feel they must.
The photographers can be a bit distracting.
Lots of dingbats on the Dragon. Expect squirrels in cages and on bikes to be on your side of the lane quite frequently, because they can't ride or drive worth a darn but are going to push it because they feel they must.
The photographers can be a bit distracting.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
We did it 2 up on my ElectraGlide the summer before last.
Good ride with the big bike, just pay attention.
I heard it gets crazy on weekends so we did it on a Tuesday mid-morning.
I would say average speed was 30-35?
Watch your speed though, there are speed limit signs and we came across 2 LEO's in different spots in pull-offs with radar guns.
We did the BRP and Skyline Drive on the same trip, stayed in Maggie Valley.
That was an 8 day trip for us, great great rides in the Smokies.
One of our more memorable vacations on the bike.
Good ride with the big bike, just pay attention.
I heard it gets crazy on weekends so we did it on a Tuesday mid-morning.
I would say average speed was 30-35?
Watch your speed though, there are speed limit signs and we came across 2 LEO's in different spots in pull-offs with radar guns.
We did the BRP and Skyline Drive on the same trip, stayed in Maggie Valley.
That was an 8 day trip for us, great great rides in the Smokies.
One of our more memorable vacations on the bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 27
From: Toms River, NJ
The first and only time I did it was on my Ultra 2 up. I wanted to do it right so one day I went back a forth 3 times, the last run was the best, the wife and I were riding as one and really got into it..... Well not like the sport bike but a respectful run about about 28 MPH.... LOL. Hey I am riding a station wagon not a vet....
For me, riding with my best friend is more important than scrapping the boards....
Be Safe JIM
For me, riding with my best friend is more important than scrapping the boards....
Be Safe JIM
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 246
From: Columbia SC
Did the Dragon a few times, mostly two up, once solo.
Its ok, I think something just to do and say you did it, its just a small piece of road compared to all the great roads up there and honestly once you drive through the Dragon you can keep going onto a loop and come back the Cherohola. The Dragon, unless your a sport bike rider, is just a road like any other road with tight turns, slow speed limits and in 15 minutes are so you are through it, you wont have time to take in the scenery *L*, you will jsut be muddling through a lot of turns, not sweeping, take your time and you will be fine, again, its not so much the Dragon as it is the whole scene up there.
Including RT 28 and Cherohola, you can spend an entire day doing a loop, from 28 through the Dragon over to (?? on the TN border and return on the Cherohola). .
For me (us) by far is just the whole scene up there, lots of great roads, places to stop, great people, we love it. Sometimes stay in Maggie Valley, Robinsville, then run over to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
The Blue Ridge Parkway near Maggie Valley is the highest point of the entire roadway, great riding too, Pisgah National forest/park, Looking Glass waterfall, huge and you can walk/swim, right under it. Over towards Asheville, Chimney Rock etc.
We go up to the area every year ... not always the Dragon, I look at the Dragon as a piece of road we pass/ride through which si exactly what it is.
Its ok, I think something just to do and say you did it, its just a small piece of road compared to all the great roads up there and honestly once you drive through the Dragon you can keep going onto a loop and come back the Cherohola. The Dragon, unless your a sport bike rider, is just a road like any other road with tight turns, slow speed limits and in 15 minutes are so you are through it, you wont have time to take in the scenery *L*, you will jsut be muddling through a lot of turns, not sweeping, take your time and you will be fine, again, its not so much the Dragon as it is the whole scene up there.
Including RT 28 and Cherohola, you can spend an entire day doing a loop, from 28 through the Dragon over to (?? on the TN border and return on the Cherohola). .
For me (us) by far is just the whole scene up there, lots of great roads, places to stop, great people, we love it. Sometimes stay in Maggie Valley, Robinsville, then run over to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
The Blue Ridge Parkway near Maggie Valley is the highest point of the entire roadway, great riding too, Pisgah National forest/park, Looking Glass waterfall, huge and you can walk/swim, right under it. Over towards Asheville, Chimney Rock etc.
We go up to the area every year ... not always the Dragon, I look at the Dragon as a piece of road we pass/ride through which si exactly what it is.
Last edited by alarmdoug; Jul 12, 2016 at 06:07 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 22
From:
As was mentioned, it is something that you need to do once if you are out there. I have been back to that area a few times. I have to admit that our group avoids it now. There are plenty of other roads to ride in the area without the traffic and annoying crotch rockets zipping around you. JMO. Have fun. Jim
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 233
From: North East, MD
My wife and I ran it Saturday (9th). I've ridden it several times over the past 15 years. The first few times the speed limit was still 55 on it! At the 30mph limit that's on it now it is a nice relaxing ride. My '14 TK was able to handle the majority of the turns at the speed limit or slightly above and I wasn't pushing it at all.
And what "alarmdoug" said above....
And what "alarmdoug" said above....
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 907
Likes: 8
From: Greeneville, TN
Dragon Shmagon
Another great ride is US421 from Bristol to Mountain City. Try it, you'll like it.