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View Full Version : Slayin "The Dragon"...

BillR
09-07-2010, 05:58 PM
Well, more like toying with it... :P

Posted this over on the Skorpion site, thought you guys would enjoy also.
Anyone ever in this area, there're bike rental companies working now, so you could get in a ride pretty easily.

Made the 2nd annual "Bill's Dragon Run" on Monday. For some reason I put on my "ironbutt" pants and do these as day trips. 500 mile circuit.
I hit the Cherohala Skyway about 0930. 50 miles later, turn left at Robbinsvile, NC and head into the Tail of the Dragon...
Busy today (Labor Day holiday in the States). Rarely could get over 30-35 mph (posted limit is 30 :P )...did get a few 45mph curvies in though... :twisted:
The whole gamut of bikes...cruisers, dressers, motards, ADV tourers, and of course, the sport bikes...
We had 2 crashes about an hour apart. 1st was a Harley rider. I came up on that one, didn't see it happen. He's gonna have a BIG headache and black eye (most likely facial fractures) No bones sticking out...sent to the ED to get checked out...saw his friends at the store later and they said he would be OK.
2nd happened right in front of me. I'd been following a couple of Honda VTX's. We were stuck behind a minivan and didn't get over 25mph. Van pulled off, the lead VTX picked up some speed and planted his left hand foot board into the asphalt on an off camber turn. Slid right off into the ditch. Ego damaged, "Crashbars" actually did their job (other than holding highway pegs :16: ) Bent the left side a bit, we "nudged" (kicked :wink: ) it back into place and he was good to go. Turns out they were a couple on vacation, 1st time to ride this road...not a good thing to do... :roll:
I made 3 successful passes, no slips, runs or errors (well, once when I looked down at the road and started wide...CORRECTION :09: )
A few pictures for your enjoyment...action photos available when the guys sitting on the side of the road get them uploaded.
Example action pic from last year...
Bill R at the Dragon, October 2009 (http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=04RK011I050012&po=12&pc=166)
The guys website is actually "Killboy.com"... :07:
I took a few more, I'm going to arrange in a slide show and post a link.

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon2.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon4.jpg
My Favorite sign, just no safe place to pull off and get an "on the road" shot.
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/Hairpin_Curve.gif
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon1.jpg

The entry to the Cherohala

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon5.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon7.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon16.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon15.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon9.jpg

Highest point on the Cherohala

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon12.jpg

Northern end of the Dragon

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon35.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon22.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon25.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon33.jpg
Chick, chick, chick... :oops:
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/09-2010_Dragon39.jpg

and my knees, an intact bike, my pride...but I am "chicken" to push the Skorp to its limits on the street...they're way beyond my comfort zone.
I love these bikes... :D
Bill R
Weldangrind
09-07-2010, 07:54 PM
Your bike looks great! How did it breathe at a mile high?

Totally envious of that riding area. That said, I'd still have my chicken strips too.
BillR
09-07-2010, 09:00 PM
Your bike looks great! How did it breathe at a mile high?
Pretty well, as far as I was going to find out... :wink:
Plenty of oomph...no stumbles...no pops on the over-run. The MZs are jetted pretty rich.
The speed limit on Cherohala is 40mph and I didn't push much over 50.
They like to write tickets... :?
Totally envious of that riding area. That said, I'd still have my chicken strips too.
I only wish it were closer to home. Minimum 4hour trip to get there.
Take the "long" road and you get almost as many curvies :wink:
Bill R
SpudRider
09-11-2010, 12:20 AM
Thanks for posting the nice ride report, Bill. :) Your bike looks great! We eagerly await the additional photos. :)

Spud :)
TurboT
09-11-2010, 04:20 AM
Thought I replied to this? Losing my mind.

Looks like a fun place to ride. Thanks for sharing! nice to see a road like that and not too many cars in the photos.
BillR
09-11-2010, 07:31 AM
Busy day (Labor Day). I was behind a cruiser or a dresser on each pass in front of the camera, so no chance to "show off". I would pull off, count to 30, "No Traffic...Whoo Hoo :!: ", take off and boogie til I caught back up to the traffic...
Stopped at Wendy's for lunch...guy in front took a look and said, "You intend to be seen, huh?" :lol:
"Yep, I sure do...
"You'll figure it out... :wink:

Slide show of all the pics I made...http://s435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/th_09-2010_Dragon2.jpg (http://s435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/raineswn/092010_Dragon_Run/?action=view&current=bdcfa18b.pbw)

Me going thru the curves...don't "own" the photos yet, so just a link...
4 shots, click next (http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=04RK01AH040180&po=180&pc=874)
'Nother set, other direction. Check out the transition in the background...
3 more (http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=04RK01AH040285&po=285&pc=874)
My favorite, it really shows the paint...
Honda San Marino Red (http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=04RK01AH040464&po=464&pc=874)
MICRider
09-11-2010, 08:09 AM
Awesome pics! Wish we had some roads like that around here :D. The Skorpion is looking awesome, right in it's element.

Cheers,
Stew
Weldangrind
09-11-2010, 12:36 PM
Nice shots! Do you intend to buy some?

Hard to miss that helmet. :D
BillR
09-11-2010, 02:26 PM
Nice shots! Do you intend to buy some?
Hard to miss that helmet. :D
Yeah, I'll buy a few. There's 3 or 4 different shops that shoot the photos. Pick the ones you like and they'll load 'em on a CD.
I couldn't find a solid hi-vis jacket that wasn't $300, gonna get one, though... :lol:
The Skorpion is looking awesome, right in it's element.

Yeah. Those roads are right where it is at home. I basically stuck it in 3rd and turned the throttle... :D
Bill R
MICRider
09-11-2010, 11:03 PM
Nice shots! Do you intend to buy some?
Hard to miss that helmet. :D
Yeah, I'll buy a few. There's 3 or 4 different shops that shoot the photos. Pick the ones you like and they'll load 'em on a CD.
I couldn't find a solid hi-vis jacket that wasn't $300, gonna get one, though... :lol:
The Skorpion is looking awesome, right in it's element.

Yeah. Those roads are right where it is at home. I basically stuck it in 3rd and turned the throttle... :D
Bill R

Not sure if it is the style you are after but I bought a Tourmaster Transitions 2 jacket in High Viz yellow. I think it came to around $176 and had free shipping in the States. I had to pay shipping and customs and it still came in a little shy of $200. Love the jacket, though it's a little warm in hot weather. I truly believe it has saved my bacon a half a dozen times, best money I ever spent!

Cheers!
Stew
BillR
09-12-2010, 06:08 AM
Not sure if it is the style you are after but I bought a Tourmaster Transitions 2 jacket in High Viz yellow. I think it came to around $176 and had free shipping in the States. I had to pay shipping and customs and it still came in a little shy of $200. Love the jacket, though it's a little warm in hot weather. I truly believe it has saved my bacon a half a dozen times, best money I ever spent!
Cheers!
Stew
Hey, Stew.
When I bought the current jacket, I needed it "yesterday" and had a tight budget to replace all my equipment. I think the Scorpion Holeshot was just over $100, shipped.
I definitely like the 3/4 length jackets better. I had a Firt Gear Kilimanjaro, just like the Transitions 2. Have to revisit that soon...cold weather coming.
Bill
FastDoc
09-13-2010, 11:58 AM
Great pics! Fun ride.

Lat time I ran that road was many years ago on my 1980 GS1100. What a rush! I ran it twice. Once for the adreniline and once for the view!

Don't sweat the chicken stripes. No shame in not crashing.... Plus depending on the shape of the tire on the rim, and the ground clearance of the bike, it may not eben be possible or safe to get rid of the stripes.

When I get a chance I'll look at The Wing's tires. I know I ground the pegs good in the turns this last trip and I may still have chicken stripes.
BillR
09-14-2010, 11:51 AM
Don't sweat the chicken stripes. No shame in not crashing.... Plus depending on the shape of the tire on the rim, and the ground clearance of the bike, it may not eben be possible or safe to get rid of the stripes.
When I get a chance I'll look at The Wing's tires. I know I ground the pegs good in the turns this last trip and I may still have chicken stripes.
Not sweatin' 'em at all.
I'll want leathers and a lot less traffic to go after them... :lol:
And due to the tire profile, I doubt seriously I could get the ones on the front tire. 8O
B