Anyone ridden Tail of the Dragon?
#1
Consiglieri
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Anyone ridden Tail of the Dragon?
Has anyone taken their 8 on the "Tail of the Dragon" (US129 between TN and NC)? I am heading back to Georgia this morning for a week and I'm def. planning on hitting that thing on my way back! 318 curves in 11 miles!! :D :D Sounds like just the type of road the 8 was built for! I can't wait!
Check it out here www.tailofthedragon.com
So, any advice from those who have ridden that beast before?
How did you do compared to other vehicles on the road? (S2K, boxster, 350Z, etc.)
I plan on 2-3 scouting passes before tearing-up the asphalt.
Incidentally, there was an S2K meet there last weekend. Sounds like a fun place to get together with other 8 owners....
Check it out here www.tailofthedragon.com
So, any advice from those who have ridden that beast before?
How did you do compared to other vehicles on the road? (S2K, boxster, 350Z, etc.)
I plan on 2-3 scouting passes before tearing-up the asphalt.
Incidentally, there was an S2K meet there last weekend. Sounds like a fun place to get together with other 8 owners....
#2
He's as bad as Can
Two years ago I drove it by accident in a 626 rental car. Awesome road definitely hit it if it’s not raining. I was sorry I didn’t have a nicer car. It’s single lane and if you’re lucky you will not get stuck behind a truck or mini-van doing 20 MPH the whole way. You will also see tons of motorcycles; those people love that road the most. I would just check the brake fluid and tire pressure.
#4
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I drove it this past summer in a Prowler group. Awesome stretch of road. But if you're not in a group with radios, be careful. Truck traffic can sneak up on ya in a blind spot easily taking both lanes leaving you with no place to go.
#7
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I took my 8 there over some of the winter holidays, the ground was dry, and the trees bare, made for traveling a lot easier. I will definitely be going back.
#11
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I ran this road many times last year during the gathering of Miata's towards the end of July. Won't be able to make it down there this year, but that road is AWESOME!
Would love to see how my 8 does on it. :D
Would love to see how my 8 does on it. :D
#14
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I've driven it a handful of times in my TT.
It's a truly amazing road but a bit of advice: DON'T EAT BEFOREHAND!
Serious advice: Drive safely. It's okay to be agressive...but do it within your limits and the limits of the car. The dragon has eaten its share of cars and lives so just be safe about it.
I only wish it was a little closer to home. I've posted on this before. Seems like it would be a great road for an 8.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
-Eric
It's a truly amazing road but a bit of advice: DON'T EAT BEFOREHAND!
Serious advice: Drive safely. It's okay to be agressive...but do it within your limits and the limits of the car. The dragon has eaten its share of cars and lives so just be safe about it.
I only wish it was a little closer to home. I've posted on this before. Seems like it would be a great road for an 8.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
-Eric
#15
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For those in Northern California, there's a stretch of road called highway 84- take that between Skyline and the coast. Actually, the fun part is between Skyline and La Honda, it kinda opens up between La Honda and the coast, but that road is frequently traversed by motorcycles, Ferraris, Porsches, anything that goes fast and handles well. Not quite as long as the Dragon, but very fun. There are fatalities every year (mostly motorcycles), so BE CAREFUL. Getting caught behind a slow-moving vehicle is a strong possibility, which sucks since it's all a double-yellow line. Speed limit used to be 55, and I think that may be the only road I've ever been on which I consider the speed limit too high for the road. Check it out, maybe someday I'll work up the courage to take it in my 8.
#16
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been. 2x (or was it 3?) in my Miata; took my 8 the last full w/e of July last year ( I took delivery 3 weeks prior). It was a blast. The low torque can make it seem a bit heavy compared to some other cars in the Gap - but it's faster than my Miata overall through it from top to bottom. There's only really one 'curve' where 1st gets just a bit slow but I found it possible to keep it at around 20 through that so that's about 4800RPM? (I think) so it was decent.
#17
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I've done it on my bike before... There's a Suzuki group that gets together every year down there and I went once.
Awesome.
Hmm... It might be time to start planning an 8 meet there.
---A
Awesome.
Hmm... It might be time to start planning an 8 meet there.
---A
#19
Going in June with friends. Went last year with the scoobie club, but this year I get to introduce the 8. Anyone else want to meet me up there? Im in shelby (28152), so I am pretty close.
#21
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Hi KBULL,
I've driven that stretch when I lived in California. Muir Woods is nice too! It's nice, but nothing compared to the experience of Deals Gap. If you ever come this way, check it out.
I've driven that stretch when I lived in California. Muir Woods is nice too! It's nice, but nothing compared to the experience of Deals Gap. If you ever come this way, check it out.
#22
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I rode it last year but I was on my 2002 GSX-R 750. It was way too much fun. Love to take my 8 on it. I probably wouldnt get out of 2nd gear. Some of the turns are VERY sharp.
#23
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Originally posted by kbull
For those in Northern California, there's a stretch of road called highway 84- take that between Skyline and the coast. Actually, the fun part is between Skyline and La Honda, it kinda opens up between La Honda and the coast, but that road is frequently traversed by motorcycles, Ferraris, Porsches, anything that goes fast and handles well. Not quite as long as the Dragon, but very fun. There are fatalities every year (mostly motorcycles), so BE CAREFUL. Getting caught behind a slow-moving vehicle is a strong possibility, which sucks since it's all a double-yellow line. Speed limit used to be 55, and I think that may be the only road I've ever been on which I consider the speed limit too high for the road. Check it out, maybe someday I'll work up the courage to take it in my 8.
For those in Northern California, there's a stretch of road called highway 84- take that between Skyline and the coast. Actually, the fun part is between Skyline and La Honda, it kinda opens up between La Honda and the coast, but that road is frequently traversed by motorcycles, Ferraris, Porsches, anything that goes fast and handles well. Not quite as long as the Dragon, but very fun. There are fatalities every year (mostly motorcycles), so BE CAREFUL. Getting caught behind a slow-moving vehicle is a strong possibility, which sucks since it's all a double-yellow line. Speed limit used to be 55, and I think that may be the only road I've ever been on which I consider the speed limit too high for the road. Check it out, maybe someday I'll work up the courage to take it in my 8.
#24
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Originally posted by gixxer
I rode it last year but I was on my 2002 GSX-R 750. It was way too much fun. Love to take my 8 on it. I probably wouldnt get out of 2nd gear. Some of the turns are VERY sharp.
I rode it last year but I was on my 2002 GSX-R 750. It was way too much fun. Love to take my 8 on it. I probably wouldnt get out of 2nd gear. Some of the turns are VERY sharp.
---A
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