Riding the Tail of the Dragon

[Byron]

Got to really push the S10 on the Dragon this week. I just didn't think this bike would do so well as it has done. I hanged with a guy on a Ducati Super Moto running the Foothills Parkway at a flat out 100 mph!

 

[TnTiretracks]

lol, now that's right funny right there.

 

[tdpruitt]

Not quite sure what to think of that. A flat out 100, can I ask why?

 

[Sierra1]

Not quite sure what to think of that. A flat out 100, can I ask why?

HA!! I think that it would be fun.....but I also think that it's a bad idea. Yeah, yeah, I know...that makes me a hypocrite. But, I also think that the Ducati rider was probably trying to figure out what the heck was going on...."that's a dirt bike!!"

 

[Memoryspade22590]

I've ridden the Dragon more times than I can count. I live about 2 hours away. I have ridden it on everything from my S10 to a Aprilia Tuono, and a Suzuki Tl 1000 that was set up for trackday racing. You MAY get it up to 100 on a few of the straightaways but I doubt it was much over posted limits in the curves.

 

[Memoryspade22590]

The other part of this is that the "100mph" Rider is flirting with a Federal! ticket for speeding on the parkway. I had a buddy who got one on his GSXR years ago $900.00 for 20 over posted. Too rich for my blood. We stay off the Parkway.

 

[Sierra1]

And, you cant beat the laws of physics....or a sturdy tree.

 

[Memoryspade22590]

Yeah, that tree at the bottom really takes the starch out of my attitude when I get there.

 

[Checkswrecks]

The bike will do over 120 (GPS) and there are plenty of places it could be done on the Foothills Parkway with no problem. btdt
On the north end of the Dragon itself you could go that fast for stretches but the speed traps and traffic don't make it worth trying.

fwiw - Tenn State Troopers ARE running forward radar while driving and you can see it on this guys' dash. They are running the ghost marked cars in that area and so is NC. This summer I got my first ticket in many years from a similar setup in an Impala.

As soon as I saw a car appear head-on pop over a rise in the distance, the trooper driving it already had my speed and he lit up as I was just realizing it was an Impala and not yet registering in my brain as a police car. He clearly had me, I just came to a stop, and the kid was both pleasant and professional. I asked about putting down a lower speed and that was when I got my second surprise. As soon as he pushed the button to lock the speed, THAT was what was already in the computer and would go on the ticket. He couldn't change it.

You may possibly be able to outrun the car (doubtful) but you will never outrun his radio and things will only get worse if you don't just pull over. The guy who pulled me over said that he gets into a lot of chases with motorcycles, has seen a lot crash in curves, and he hasn't had one get away yet. Something to remember.

The only two upsides from this were:
1. Their ticket cost a LOT less than in my home State of MD.
2. It was not Virginia, because I was well past 20 over and in VA that would have been straight to jail.

 

[Sierra1]

That type of radar, moving, has been around for decades. Getting to be more common place is the "same direction" radar. If you're in front/behind the cop….and traveling the same direction....and closing/pulling away....the radar can get your speed. On the plus side, for the violator, it's harder to get a lock, and the range is shorter.

 

[HeliMark]

Use to run a radar back in the mid 80's that had the "same direction" ability. At least back then, never really found the same direction to be that useful.

 

[dell835]

Use to run a radar back in the mid 80's that had the "same direction" ability. At least back then, never really found the same direction to be that useful.

Same direction when moving doesn’t seem very useful but stationary same direction I see a lot of

 

[Checkswrecks]

I agree that moving radar has been around for a long time. The points are the computer tie-in and that they have you before you realize the oncoming car is even potentially a threat. They're not hiding behind a bill board and what the police are driving is not conspicuous.

 

[Donk]

The S10 will surprise you when you push it, in a good way. Me thinks that the Ducati rider wasn’t working as hard at it or maybe wasn’t the same level of rider you are. Simple laws of physics are going to give that match up to the Duc. The Law will win over both of you every time if you’re going that fast in that neck of the woods.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Checkswrecks start using Waze will alert you to speed traps.

Google Maps shows radar when reported but it and the dedicated Waze app are useless on a lot of backroads. There is little traffic to get reports from, cell service is minimal, and most vehicles are locals who are pretty close to the speed limit anyway.

On bigger roads and highways they work great but those are boring and I just let somebody pass me now and then.

 

[madman4049]

Checkswrecks start using Waze will alert you to speed traps.

That's only good if others report it, it's wrong/inaccurate as much as it's right.

Best way out of a ticket is to not be too far over, have a good attitude, and I swear hi-viz gear triggers the human in cops. Sorry sir got a bit carried away in the moment. Just recently fiance and I were talking enjoying the scenery having a good time then lights came on. Cop was understandably not in a good mood, you wanna tell me why you're doing 55 in a 25? You missed the 45 the 35, and the 25 signs. Sir we're really sorry we were enjoying good conversation, the scenery, and road. Instant change in attitude once he saw we had a good attitude, hahaha it happens here's a warning have a safe day.

I family and lots of friends in law enforcement trust me they always see you before you see them.

 

[Byron]

LOL!
Make no mistake, we bounced off 120 a few times and the kid on the Ducati was pushing hard as well, he just never could leave me. Sure, as an old man, I should know better but still have some salt in my blood. I know the top end of all my bikes but that is me. As for the ticket/jail time, I saved up a grand just for the occasion.

 

[Order 66]

Checkswrecks start using Waze will alert you to speed traps.

You know what's awesome about Waze? Cops have it on their phones, too. I have a few friends on the job and they all laugh about seeing themselves 'getting Wazed' and they just move to a new spot. I do like Waze, but one of the disadvantages is that mentally, when you stop seeing cops where Waze says they are, you stop believing Waze, and then there will be a cop.

 

[JJTJ2]

That's only good if others report it, it's wrong/inaccurate as much as it's right.

Best way out of a ticket is to not be too far over, have a good attitude, and I swear hi-viz gear triggers the human in cops. Sorry sir got a bit carried away in the moment. Just recently fiance and I were talking enjoying the scenery having a good time then lights came on. Cop was understandably not in a good mood, you wanna tell me why you're doing 55 in a 25? You missed the 45 the 35, and the 25 signs. Sir we're really sorry we were enjoying good conversation, the scenery, and road. Instant change in attitude once he saw we had a good attitude, hahaha it happens here's a warning have a safe day.

I family and lots of friends in law enforcement trust me they always see you before you see them.

I totally agree with you on this. I have gotten out of several tickets...

I see the cop on the shoulder and he immediately pulls out behind me. I pull over before he has a chance to turn his lights on.

Cop "Going a little fast back there"

Me "I was listening to the radio and in my own little world. I saw you on the side of the road, looked down at my speed, and said 'duh, I would pull myself over also.' "

Cop, "Please slow down and drive safely for the rest of your trip."

It has worked the last 4 times I have been pulled over

 

[Jeff Milleman]

Iv got a bit of salt in my blood also ... Try War-woman road leaving Clayton toward the Highlands , it like a mini Tail but not a lot of people ... Fun ,Fun ,Fun. just the speeds I'm comfortable at with a bit of push... There are so many good places to ride !! Last year I fallowed a older guy on a Victory and I slowed down because I wanted to Live... I thought I was a fairly good rider but I guess the AGE thing changes some perspectives !!!