Top speed around the curves at the Dragon

[CootoronScooter]

I've got a cruiser but I've got a couple of top speed questions for you Sport bike, make telephone poles look like a picket fences, folks.

What's the top speed of fastest production bike?

What's the average top speed through the curves on the Dragon?

[ervins]

There are some bikes that are massed produced that can easily go over 180mph which is insane...As far as the curves on Dragon...Depends on posted sign speed...On a 10mph turn I have take it at 40 on 20mph turn I can take at 50+...Which IMO is slow compared to other heavy weight riders in my area....Some I know who fly through turns.

[VindianaJones]

Originally Posted by ervins

There are some bikes that are massed produced that can easily go over 180mph which is insane...As far as the curves on Dragon...Depends on posted sign speed...On a 10mph turn I have take it at 40 on 20mph turn I can take at 50+...Which IMO is slow compared to other heavy weight riders in my area....Some I know who fly through turns.

Darn good thing your wearing your helmet and all that gear as you break those laws eh! I would guess that the people that make those laws as to what speed you need to take that turn at, do it for a reason. Not that i'd judge anyone because they are speeding and taking they're life in jeopardy and possibly someone else's. Just so long as your wearing that helmet and all that gear. Now.. someone who's not wearing a helmet.. well thats a whole different story.. How stupid can that be eh?

[clausiam]

Originally Posted by VindianaJones

I would guess that the people that make those laws as to what speed you need to take that turn at, do it for a reason.

Yes, they sure do. They make them for the lowest common denominator, i.e. a grandma in a mini-van prone to roll-overs. Just like they make double yellow lines on 1/4 mile straight sections with clear visibility so that Joe Slow driving in his Geo Metro towing a trailer doesn't try to pass.

Obeying the law to the letter does not make you a safer rider/driver. Using common sense does. Don't take turns faster than your vehicle can handle and so you can react to something unexpected. Don't pass if there is not enough straight road. But those things depend a lot on the vehicle and (to some extent) on the driver/rider which road signs/lines don't take into account.

Be safe, have fun and use your brain when you're out there.

[JasonFMHS]

+1 to all of that.

[BamaBob]

I personally conquered the Dragon!!!
Average speed . . . 30 mph!!!!
I know, I know . . . AWESOME, eh????

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by VindianaJones

Darn good thing your wearing your helmet and all that gear as you break those laws eh!

Nope... the yellow speed signs are advisory plates and are not legal speed limits. If the highway's speed limit is 55 and there's a 15mph curve in the middle, you are legal if you can take that corner at 55 and remain in your lane and in control of your vehicle.

Orange speed signs are construction zones and ARE enforced speed limits, but any yellow sign is simply advisory in nature (notice they have replaced the yellow "Yield" signs with black/white/red over the last 20 years).

[Kawasaki ZX600r]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Nope... the yellow speed signs are advisory plates and are not legal speed limits. If the highway's speed limit is 55 and there's a 15mph curve in the middle, you are legal if you can take that corner at 55 and remain in your lane and in control of your vehicle.

Orange speed signs are construction zones and ARE enforced speed limits, but any yellow sign is simply advisory in nature (notice they have replaced the yellow "Yield" signs with black/white/red over the last 20 years).

+1

[zedx11]

there is supposed to be a guy that did the 11 miles in like 11 minutes. that would be crazy. he had to have the road blocked off and take full advantage of both sides of the road.

[bgpoole]

There is an article in this month's Motorcyclist about the new MV Agusta F4 R 312. The 312 designates the top speed in KPH, which is equivalent to 194 MPH.
And it can be yours for only $25,000.

[djgrom]

I need to go to the dragon and find out just how fast I can go with out really pushing it to hard. I see no reason not to have fun while you are out there but really pushing your self and going as fast as you can really puts others at risk. Remember it still is a public road.

[Tweek]

Here is a video of one of Keith's Superbike school instructors doing a part of the Dragon: Files: Deals Gap - Overlook to Crossroads

[FTM650]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Nope... the yellow speed signs are advisory plates and are not legal speed limits. If the highway's speed limit is 55 and there's a 15mph curve in the middle, you are legal if you can take that corner at 55 and remain in your lane and in control of your vehicle.

Orange speed signs are construction zones and ARE enforced speed limits, but any yellow sign is simply advisory in nature (notice they have replaced the yellow "Yield" signs with black/white/red over the last 20 years).

I failed my driving test on this years ago(a car license) because I did not slow down in the 'speed zone'. So, actually, in fact they are the legal speed limit and not an advisory.

[Takahashi]

The driving tests are retarded. I remember I lost points on my driving test for slowing down TOO MUCH for train tracks. The examiner said I might anger cars behind me (there were none). No where does it say that its illegal to do that (esp not in the 25mph zone i was in). they grade you not only on law but your form. its bad form (to them) to ignore the advisory signs but those yellow signs are intact advisory. If you look through the driving book (at least for OR and WA) they'll say the yellow signs are advisory.

[BEANER]

i don't know about the top speed you can go but after looking at some of the videos on u-tube at Deals Gap I'm not sure I would even like to ride it with trucks taking up both lanes, maybe I'm just a chicken s**t

[Silvercon]

Originally Posted by FTM650

I failed my driving test on this years ago(a car license) because I did not slow down in the 'speed zone'. So, actually, in fact they are the legal speed limit and not an advisory.

One of the requirements of a Bus license in the state of maryland
is you have to hit the tires with a hammer, mallet, or club.
Even the steer tires. You won't pass if you just kick them.
There is no way a steer tire will be flat without looking
flat. This just illustrates the level of intelligence at the
DMV.

As far as top speed goes (in a straght line), the open class bikes
like ZX-14 and Hyabusa are both governed. If you can defeat the
governor (whatever you would call it) by re mapping and also
put a larger sprocket on front I bet either would go over 200mph.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by FTM650

I failed my driving test on this years ago(a car license) because I did not slow down in the 'speed zone'. So, actually, in fact they are the legal speed limit and not an advisory.

It's not illegal to have your rear tire hop the curb exiting a driveway either, but it'll cost you on a driving test.

School zones and other such restricted areas are legal limits (and are white plates). Yellow advisory plates on curves are not.

[Michael600r]

Originally Posted by bgpoole

There is an article in this month's Motorcyclist about the new MV Agusta F4 R 312. The 312 designates the top speed in KPH, which is equivalent to 194 MPH.
And it can be yours for only $25,000.

That's the fastest ^^^
As far a speeds in the corners, I didn't dare look down for one second

[xeon]

Originally Posted by CootoronScooter

What's the top speed of fastest production bike?

What's the average top speed through the curves on the Dragon?

Well, current bikes are restricted at 186mph. There are ways around it, you can see vids of Hayabusas on Youtube doing an indicated 200+. My "old" YZF600R will get to 60mph under 5 seconds and run a smidge under 12 second quarters. Not bad and there are bikes that will make me look pretty sick.

Pulled some time related info re: the Dragon here Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC
RECORD TIMES:
You will hear a lot about the fastest times on the Dragon. The original timing involved a run from the Overlook to the Crossroads of Time and then back, an 18.6-mile distance. The round trip time was then divided by two. The Deals Gap Riding Society record for an amateur rider was a 22 minute round trip run, which averaged out to 11 minutes (50.7 mph average). The overall record was 18 minutes, or 9 minutes one-way (62 mph average). In order to compete for a new record one had to make the run along with the current record holder.

These records were set back in the early 1990s when there was little traffic on the Dragon. Today, with the road patrolled by sheriff and highway patrol, you will risk severe penalties if you try to beat the records.

[Bikeaholic2]

Hey,
If you want to see the wrong way to ride the dragon go to k i l l b o y . c o m - Your High Quality Photos from*the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap.
They have some pictures in the June issue of Motorcyclist magazine that shows some riders having a very bad day. This should remind everyone to wear all of their protective gear since it could happen to any of us at any time when you least expect it.