You're going to have to wear a DOT hat anytime you're on the bike in both states. And honestly, if you're going to have to put one on anyway, why not go ahead and wear a DOT? As far as riding roads, like others have said there are a lot better roads in the are than the Dragon and a lot less crowded too. In that area I much prefer the Cherahola Skyway, I'm about an hour away.

 

The following roads deserve to be checked out:

Cherahola Skyway
HWY 30
Foot Hills Parkway
HWY 68 from Tellico to Ducktown


Best route, rode it last weekend and you'll not be disappointed:
Take HWY 64 from 411 all the way over to HWY 215.............You can jump off on the BRP or follow 215 all the way into MAggie Valley.

 

I was in that area last week for a week and the only time I saw "marked" police vehicles, they were driving down Rt 19 in front of my motel. Never saw one in the mountains.