Dragon question
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 315
Likes: 7
From: Green Bay WI
Dragon question
How much fun is riding the dragon 2 up on a touring bike? I am taking a trip to Gatlinburg this week and just curious if all of those turns are sweepers or hairpins or a little of both. What would be a ballpark avg. speed for a touring bike (2015 SGS with tour pack) riding 2 up?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 76
Likes: 7
From: Lakeland, FL
My wife & I just came back from doing a 6 day tour of the rides up in the NC area. I have done the Dragon alone on a solo bike and we just did it riding 2 up with saddle bags and tour pack loaded up.... both ways were just as much fun as the other. If you are wanting to set a land speed record on a touring bike, you are wasting your time!
Go enjoy the ride!!!
Go enjoy the ride!!!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 76
Likes: 7
From: Lakeland, FL
To be honest the only reason we did the Dragon was because my wife had never been. I enjoy the ride up thru Fontana getting over to the Dragon. They use to call that the Hellbender but the locals said that the town didn't like the name, so they don't call it that anymore. The Foothills Parkway was a nice ride too as far as relaxing rides with great views!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,458
Likes: 57,015
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Yep ... The Dragon is a been there done that and the Cherohala is a lot more enjoyable, even if you're a floorboard scraper. As far as speed on the Dragon, as mentioned earlier 35'ish is probably close with someone on the back.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 799
Likes: 25
From: Milan,Tennessee
the Dragon is a blast,speed varies mostly 30, best time to ride is during the week, weekends are too busy. A lot of really good riding in that area.
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I've done the dragon twice, once solo, once 2up. Your gonna be moving a little slower than others I'm guessing. Just watch out for anyone over extending their limits on bikes and in cars. Other than that, have fun!
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 440
Likes: 13
OP -
I rode the Dragon two years ago....it was my first time on a new '14 RK. I only had about 900 miles on the bike when I left for this trip.
I would only ride the Dragon 2-up if you and your partner have a lot of riding experience together on similar roads. There are some very tight turns that also climb/descend sharply during the turn. It can be tricky on a touring bike riding solo. It's one lane each way and there's very few, if any, safe landings if you go off the road...mostly rocks, trees and drop-offs. You'll spend much/most of your time in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. Also, you'll have to watch traffic coming in the opposite direction. I was negotiating a very tight turn when a group of Porsches crossed the center line into my lane.
Perhaps you could leave your mate at the shops at Deal's Gap (start of the Dragon), and run the course down and back before attempting it together. I don't recall seeing 2-up riders on the Dragon when I made my run....of course, I had my eyes peeled on the road in front of me. When we got to the end of our run...two of our group said that's a "one and done"!! We got our t-shirts and moved on. Glad I did it though. I'd do it again but not 2-up. Just my .02
Have fun and ride safe.
I rode the Dragon two years ago....it was my first time on a new '14 RK. I only had about 900 miles on the bike when I left for this trip.
I would only ride the Dragon 2-up if you and your partner have a lot of riding experience together on similar roads. There are some very tight turns that also climb/descend sharply during the turn. It can be tricky on a touring bike riding solo. It's one lane each way and there's very few, if any, safe landings if you go off the road...mostly rocks, trees and drop-offs. You'll spend much/most of your time in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. Also, you'll have to watch traffic coming in the opposite direction. I was negotiating a very tight turn when a group of Porsches crossed the center line into my lane.
Perhaps you could leave your mate at the shops at Deal's Gap (start of the Dragon), and run the course down and back before attempting it together. I don't recall seeing 2-up riders on the Dragon when I made my run....of course, I had my eyes peeled on the road in front of me. When we got to the end of our run...two of our group said that's a "one and done"!! We got our t-shirts and moved on. Glad I did it though. I'd do it again but not 2-up. Just my .02
Have fun and ride safe.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 17
From: Southeastern Wisconsin
Check out Devils Triangle if you want a real challenge. Do those hairpin turns and then go ride the Dragon. I have done both several times both solo and two up on a Road King and my Ultra Limited. You need to ride at your best and watch out for those riding beyond there skill level. Speed will vary but remember it is easier to speed up in a tight curve then to try and slow down.
You can search the pics of riders from many days by searching Killroy or us129 pics. check out all the full dressers two up
You can search the pics of riders from many days by searching Killroy or us129 pics. check out all the full dressers two up
Last edited by asm481; Jul 11, 2016 at 03:55 PM.