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Tail of the Dragon

DrivingTacoLoco

DrivingTacoLoco

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

I found a local Miata club that does a run called back of the dragon. Unfortunately it was this weekend so I missed it but maybe next time.
 
BCMoto

BCMoto

Rank IV

Influencer II

I have been to the tail of the dragon on the bikes, its a fun road just watch out for accidents and slow vehicles. A local friend out there passed away on that road
 
TNjohn

TNjohn

Rank I
Launch Member

Member I

Motoboss said:
I'm with @Downs, the place is a terrible place to ride let alone drive a loaded camping outfit. Wanna see a real disaster wait until you see semis using it as a shortcut.

We used to ride it when the only thing was the gas station at the top years and years ago (maybe 25 or so) before it became a "destination. Last time we went south it was full of cars so we rode right through, never stopping and swore we'd never go back. And haven't.

Commercialism Kills.............here's a great thread on the Dragon failure.

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I gave up sportbikes because of the commercialization of the area. I knew it was ruined when they started calling it the Tail of the Dragon and made t-shirts. Then Killboy started doing the photos and the was the end of that place for me. The photographers and their friends get pissed when I blame that stuff on them. LOL
 
Dilldog

Dilldog

Rank V
Launch Member
Investor

Influencer I

I always thought it would be awesome to ride that road when I had motorcycles (always thought taking the old 351 kitted KLX motard there would be amazing fun). But because of all the people who over ride or over drive their abilities and cause problems I dont know if I would anymore.
 
TNjohn

TNjohn

Rank I
Launch Member

Member I

Dilldog said:
I always thought it would be awesome to ride that road when I had motorcycles (always thought taking the old 351 kitted KLX motard there would be amazing fun). But because of all the people who over ride or over drive their abilities and cause problems I dont know if I would anymore.
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I’ve ridden on a DRZ400 dual sport. The place would be a blast on a notary. Just go on a weekday when the traffic is light.
 
Sibyib

Sibyib

Rank II
Launch Member

Contributor III

Triple Nickle (555) in Ohio If you want to test those sway bars or chicken strip how ever you overland.
 
Road

Road

Not into ranks, titles or points.
Launch Member

Advocate III

Wawa Skittletits said:
Love the entire area down there! It’s been a long time but we used to make an annual 5 day trip down there to absolutely shorten the life of every moving part of my vehicle haha. Beautiful roads and wonderful people.




Relative non issue for bikes. They can pass in an instant on the Dragon.
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Yeah, and they scrape up the remains of over-confident bikers more often than one might think, from encounters with vehicles, speeding and then braking too hard, etc : Details – Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap
 
Mid State Overland

Mid State Overland

Rank III
Member

Enthusiast III

Tommys said:
While traversing in NC, we found what is called, "The Tail of the Dragon" (129). With fast motercycles, exotic cars, and a opportunity to break her teeth on some MT. roads my Colorado performed well. Even fully loaded with gear and kitchen.
Check it out:
Some road challenges are not in the dirt, what do you think?
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My brother heads out there every year from MN with a group of Mini Coopers, 300+HP mini and runs it at speeds over 60mpg
 
Downs

Downs

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

If you like curvy pavement there's a few roads in Arkansas, if you're closer to that state, that are similar to "The Dragon". "The Pig Trail", which is AR-23 and "Push Mountain Road" Which is AR-123. There used to be a Killboy style photographer that operated on 123 for a few years but my understanding is he quit doing the work after basically photoing a death sequence (unknown to him as he was taking the photos) when a motorcycle crashed.

If you're in California Palomar Mountain's West Grade Rd is great and has amazing views along the way.

Texas has the "Three sisters" down in the hillcountry, 3 very good roads with amazing views....for Texas anyway lol.

Of course on all these roads watch out for high speed motorcycles lol.
 
Downs

Downs

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

Autism Family Travels said:
Miata...that's a Valley Girl car is it not? ha ha ha! I kid...my friend had one, I think it was a mazdaspeed editon...was slow as molasses in the straights, but was fun in the turns. Almost kept up with my integra in the turns.
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The Mazdaspeed Miatas were turbocharged. They made about 40 more HP than a standard model. 180-190 HP in a car that weights a bit over 2000 lbs is nothing to sneeze at. But they were never meant to be straight line speed cars.

I miss my supercharged first gen. 150hp and 1800 lbs :innocent:
 
Autism Family Travels

Autism Family Travels

Rank IV

Enthusiast III

Downs said:
The Mazdaspeed Miatas were turbocharged. They made about 40 more HP than a standard model. 180-190 HP in a car that weights a bit over 2000 lbs is nothing to sneeze at. But they were never meant to be straight line speed cars.

I miss my supercharged first gen. 150hp and 1800 lbs :innocent:
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I was closing in on 375hp in my integra! Hi boost twin screw with LOTS of internal work. It was A fun car. Maybe the mazdaspeed he has was a regular miata with mazda speed suspension stuff. I remember slow until the turns.
 
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