Pics from my "Tail of the Dragon" trip

[nelson8708]

The guy on the harley is the buddy i went with. I only have about a 1/4" of un-touched tire now. Going back in the beginning of sept. (for the nico RB meet) and i wont leave until i knock out that last 1/4" or drag knee. It should be cooler so i will be wearing some gear. It looks like my center stand is getting close to touching so i'll be taking it off soon. I think with a little improvement in body position it wont be to hard to get over a little more. I kept dragging the side of my foot and even dragged a peg a few times

[sultan]

get some gear and get your butt off the seat, improvement in body positioning will mean less lean at the same speed so less peg dragging. better foot positioning solves the foot drag.

[Otto.]

Looks like tons of fun.

[Dattebayo]

Thanks.

But that was sort of repetitive. Also, wear some gear.

[lino]

Looks like it was a great day for riding. Nice road

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Nice gear, dumbass. At least you're wearing a helmet so they can use your corneas after they scrape you off a quarter-mile of asphalt. I'm sure Killboy had a field day with any photos of you he posted on his site.

[GrilledCheese33]

I was there in may, it was a freakin blast. Was my 2nd time going. My parents are actually there right now riding their Harley.

[LEMHEAD16]

I like the pic of the harley dragging his bags. My Harley drags the bottom of the pipe before I get anywhere near that far leaned over. I really want to ride the Dragon someday, but seeing how its ~2500 miles away from Idaho I don't see it happening anytime soon.

Keep the shiny side up

[2the40]

Cool pictures.

I'm looking forward to my next visit at the tail end of this month!

[nelson8708]

Nice gear, dumbass. At least you're wearing a helmet so they can use your corneas after they scrape you off a quarter-mile of asphalt. I'm sure Killboy had a field day with any photos of you he posted on his site.

95 and sunny is to much to wear gear. I'm going back in sept. when it'll be a little cooler out so i can wear the gear i have. I was never out of my comfort zone and didn't push since i wasn't wearing gear. Better off nor wearing gear and riding with in my skill zone than some of the other riders out there. Saw some guy who thought he was the s*** in his full leathers go down.....lucky there was some small trees / bushes where he went off the road or it would have been a painful trip to the bottom.

[nelson8708]

get some gear and get your butt off the seat, improvement in body positioning will mean less lean at the same speed so less peg dragging. better foot positioning solves the foot drag.

Yeah, i got some good tips from the local guys i rode with down there. Going to practice on a few roads here then go back with better technique. Balls of your feet on the pegs and some serious body movement. They said i was riding as stiff as a board out there









On the way back to the hotel we spotted this 300zx with no hood and a blower on top....we stopped and flagged him down

[sbird1]

This guy is jealous. I've wanted to go up there for quite a while. Did you get the little dragon or whatever it is that people put on their bikes after they ride that ride? That Z is awesome. Can't say I've ever seen a blown Z before.

[nelson8708]

This guy is jealous. I've wanted to go up there for quite a while. Did you get the little dragon or whatever it is that people put on their bikes after they ride that ride? That Z is awesome. Can't say I've ever seen a blown Z before.

Yes, this was my second trip and i made sure to get a dragon sticker to put on the bike . When I first saw it with no hood and a blower i was thinking v8 swap with the blower on top. I was even more surprised / impressed with the blown VG . A trip to the dragon is the best and one of the cheapest vacations i've ever been on. 200$ for 3 days of riding or driving heaven.

160$ in gas to get down there and back in the truck with trailer (split between me and my buddy)
125$ for two nights at family inns hotel (prime location) (Split)
40$ gas for the bike
15$ to eat for over the weekend (gotta love the dollar menu)

[Dire91]

I'm new to riding but seriously... Your excuse for not wearing gear is the temperature, the options for gear now a days is ridiculous you can literally find anything that will suit your needs. Speaking of which a week ago a 22 year old kid went down on the major highway through my town. Dumbass was in a t-shirt and shorts, pulled a wheelie at 65 and was dead before EMS showed up.

[sbird1]

I laid my bike down when a deer ran out in front of me. I was doin' probably 30 mph. and was in shorts and a leather jacket. And a helmet... anyway, I jumped up after I quit rolling and was essentially fine. My elbow, lower back, and left side got the worst of it, but I didn't have a scratch on my helmet. Gear is important, but it's not like if you have to lay it down or somethin without gear, you're going to die. Enjoy your bike. I know I will enjoy a bike again soon!

[AZ89two4Tsx]

I want a bike.

But my dad crashed his bike at 90+ when he was younger with no gear but a helmet, shorts/short sleeves.

He won't let me get a bike, lol.

I do however want to drive this "tail of the dragon" sometime though. Is it crowded most of the time?

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Nice gear, dumbass. At least you're wearing a helmet so they can use your corneas after they scrape you off a quarter-mile of asphalt. I'm sure Killboy had a field day with any photos of you he posted on his site.

95 and sunny is to much to wear gear. I'm going back in sept. when it'll be a little cooler out so i can wear the gear i have. I was never out of my comfort zone and didn't push since i wasn't wearing gear. Better off nor wearing gear and riding with in my skill zone than some of the other riders out there. Saw some guy who thought he was the s*** in his full leathers go down.....lucky there was some small trees / bushes where he went off the road or it would have been a painful trip to the bottom.

95 ehh? Just think of how uncomfortable the EMTs would be as they tend to your mutilated body...

Please. I AGATT'd in Florida. No gear, no ride. Your "comfort zone" doesn't matter to say, a car who crossed the yellow line.

[HashiriyaS14]

OP: What kind of bike are you on? Obviously a streetfighter conversion of something, but I can't tell.

[BusyBadger]

I do however want to drive this "tail of the dragon" sometime though. Is it crowded most of the time?

Very crowded, too many troopers with too much radar and short (11 miles). Most locals prefer "The Snake" (US 421) because of its varying terrain, good elevation changes, frequent pull-offs, better scenery (and the opportunity to view it) with much less traffic and troopers.

[nelson8708]

I do however want to drive this "tail of the dragon" sometime though. Is it crowded most of the time?

Very crowded, too many troopers with too much radar and short (11 miles). Most locals prefer "The Snake" (US 421) because of its varying terrain, good elevation changes, frequent pull-offs, better scenery (and the opportunity to view it) with much less traffic and troopers.

Its not to crowed...There were 3 leo's on the dragon both days we went but, people heading the other way usually let you know if there is a cop up ahead. You'll pull up on traffic every once in a while but, there usually pull over to let you pass.

I'm new to riding but seriously... Your excuse for not wearing gear is the temperature, the options for gear now a days is ridiculous you can literally find anything that will suit your needs. Speaking of which a week ago a 22 year old kid went down on the major highway through my town. Dumbass was in a t-shirt and shorts, pulled a wheelie at 65 and was dead before EMS showed up.

I'm not made of $$$$$...Gear isn't cheap. My font wheel hasn't left the ground on either of my last two bikes. I'd rather not be geared up and ride safe than be geared up and and dumb a**.

I laid my bike down when a deer ran out in front of me. I was doin' probably 30 mph. and was in shorts and a leather jacket. And a helmet... anyway, I jumped up after I quit rolling and was essentially fine. My elbow, lower back, and left side got the worst of it, but I didn't have a scratch on my helmet. Gear is important, but it's not like if you have to lay it down or somethin without gear, you're going to die. Enjoy your bike. I know I will enjoy a bike again soon!

Thank you for pointing out what every one seems to think......no gear, O my god, your going to die.

95 ehh? Just think of how uncomfortable the EMTs would be as they tend to your mutilated body...

Please. I AGATT'd in Florida. No gear, no ride. Your "comfort zone" doesn't matter to say, a car who crossed the yellow line.

I dont think it's going to make much difference whether or not i have a jacket on if i get hit by a car and go off the mountian.

OP: What kind of bike are you on? Obviously a streetfighter conversion of something, but I can't tell.

94' Suzuki gsx750f....its more less a katana before they were called that. Not fast but, still fun.

[ADDirishboy]

Dude, I live in AZ. Was riding my dads Harley last summer and it was overheating every time I stopped in traffic for longer than 3 minutes. It was 118 that day. I still wore gear. Your heat argument is invalid, sir.

It's one thing to pop to the grocery store in just your helmet, still stupid but not awful. But it's entirely different to ride a stretch like you were without gear. Have fun getting scrubbed down by a nurse with a hard-bristle brush over your entire body to get the little pieces of asphalt out of your road rash.

Also, you complain about not having gear due to a lack of money? Dude. Either buy ALL the gear, or don't buy a bike at all. I hate running on idiots who laid down their bike in shorts and flip flops cause it's "too hot in AZ to ride in full gear". Tell that to your missing toes and patella that was scraped down to nearly nothing from sliding across the asphalt for 100+ yards.

[sbird1]

What is the big deal? Why do you care so much if someone decides not to wear gear? If it doesn't hurt me, you can do whatever the f*** you want. Not wearing gear just brings a whole new dimension to riding. You can really feel the bike and your environment. Whatever...

[nelson8708]

Dude, I live in AZ. Was riding my dads Harley last summer and it was overheating every time I stopped in traffic for longer than 3 minutes. It was 118 that day. I still wore gear. Your heat argument is invalid, sir.

It's one thing to pop to the grocery store in just your helmet, still stupid but not awful. But it's entirely different to ride a stretch like you were without gear. Have fun getting scrubbed down by a nurse with a hard-bristle brush over your entire body to get the little pieces of asphalt out of your road rash.

Also, you complain about not having gear due to a lack of money? Dude. Either buy ALL the gear, or don't buy a bike at all. I hate running on idiots who laid down their bike in shorts and flip flops cause it's "too hot in AZ to ride in full gear". Tell that to your missing toes and patella that was scraped down to nearly nothing from sliding across the asphalt for 100+ yards.

Love you

[ADDirishboy]

Cause I'm the one who gets to scrape you off the road. I've done it before, and I don't like it. I know quite a few guys who have done it. A friend of mine lost an arm due to the infection he got from the road rash. Friend of my uncles died from blood loss.

It's stupid. It's the same thing as wearing a seatbelt. Is it necessary all the time? No. But it's stupid not to wear it since something might happen.

[sbird1]

That is the ONLY appropriate response to my objection. But when you don't wear gear, you are knowingly taking a risk and thus accept all consequences. You, my friend, are part of the <1% of the population that has a decent argument. Congratulations.

[R.]

Sweet pics man. I just got my endorsement and hopefully will ride the tail some day once I have some experience.

My dad and a few buddies have been there 4 times on their harleys.

Once at the tree of shame they were talking to a guy on a R1 that went off a cliff. The cops and a towing company got "his" bike up and he was like no thats not my bike. They went back down and found a person, missing and dead for a week about 30 yards from where they found the bike. The guy got only a small part of his R1 back.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

What is the big deal? Why do you care so much if someone decides not to wear gear? If it doesn't hurt me, you can do whatever the f*** you want. Not wearing gear just brings a whole new dimension to riding. You can really feel the bike and your environment. Whatever...

Squids doing Squidly things raise my insurance premiums. If you being a squid didn't affect me, then I don't care what you do. But instead, the money it costs for nurses to scrub and wash gravel out of your skin comes from MY wallet, and I have a problem paying for stupid.

Feel the bike and your environment... dude, that's rich.

[numbnuts240]

see, i'm all about people wearing proper gear when they ride, just i'm all about people NOT drifting/drag racing on public roads. but all this bitching about him not wearing proper gear isn't going to change anything. i'm sure he knew of all the ramifications before he hopped on that bike. listening to you guys scold him and whine about it isn't changing anyone's minds.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

see, i'm all about people wearing proper gear when they ride, just i'm all about people NOT drifting/drag racing on public roads. but all this bitching about him not wearing proper gear isn't going to change anything. i'm sure he knew of all the ramifications before he hopped on that bike. listening to you guys scold him and whine about it isn't changing anyone's minds.

Yes but now when he has to get skin graphs from his right asscheek, we get to say "we told you so!"

[nelson8708]

true.....tell me do you rock a 5-point harness and fire suit when you drive your car? Or maybe water wings when you eat soup like peter griffin? I'm a little troubled that your worried about my right asscheek

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