That guy is an accident waiting to happen. He represents one of my worst fears on roads like the Dragon. And it’s not like he accidentally went over the line. He kept doing it. Luck and stupidity are not a good match. Stupidly always wins out in the end. At least, nobody got hurt THIS TIME. Thanks for sharing the video. Definitely a good lesson for how not to ride the Dragon.
hold on now,,,,,,you realize,,,painted lines are the same as traffic signals speed limits and stop signs,,,,they are only suggestions,,,,they are there to give you a well researched hint,,,,however its up to you to decide what your heart wants;;;; now, having said this,,,,,those suggestions do have consequences,,,you may fall and skin your paint,,,or kill your passenger, or yourself,, or others,,,or meet the undercarriage of a peterbilt and then the differential,,,you may wind up in court or jail or be sued for all you are worth and all you can earn in the future,, or you may just sail off into the wild blue off a canyon and meet your maker,,,,,your choice,,,,be safe, dont ride over your head. if you do get the itch,,,at least call a photographer so he can record your ignorance, and make money on your demise,,,thank you,,
The irony is that he kept crossing the line because he was leaning too much and going too slow. I guess he's a moto racer in his dreams. But not in reality.
Its ok to be a bad rider. Everyone starts out as a bad rider. Whats important is to not think you are a good rider until you really are. This guy didn't get the memo.
this is hilarious, you are keeping the revs down and putting along while he is leaning into the corners and trying to drag his knee and be all racy lmao... and you keep up with him just fine without working hard
Isaac Shapiro : plenty of places to put a knee down, just not every little curve in the road.its people like him you have to watch out for when you ride, hopefully in front of you and not behind you.
Isaac Shapiro idiots go to the tail just to do that shit it's stupid they like to knee drag and I've seen a lot of them go down on the tail, the only place you need to knee drag is on the track at track speeds he wasn't really going that fast just riding like shit he's probably some newby on a 250cc bike since the follower had such an easy time keeping up at low revs
I give you credit for one thing... You're single cylinder "enduro" bike did a damn good job hanging with him up until he made that very illegal pass on the Lincoln. I've been on the "Dragon" many times and I can tell you from experience that it is a great equalizer. I have "chased" many very very fast sport bikes and hung right there with them until the end when the road straightens out ... in my Volvo.
I have been lucky so far knock on wood, several trips to the Dragon and never had someone in my lane coming around a corner like that. It’s funny how he was leaning off like he was at the track and it sounds like you were just out having a relaxing ride and caught right up to him...
I recently rode the dragon on my Goldwing. For the first (and last) time. Too many fools on it ! You can be riding responsibly and doing everything right and have your life taken by some moron that thinks this road is his/her personal racetrack.
@@ryanmalone2681 Do you have any suggestions for other ride locations on the east coast (I’m not interested in risking our lives just because some idiot thinks they are a MC superstar)?
@@deckgun31 In that general area there is plenty: Dahlonega to Suches, all the roads around Blood Mountain, the rest of Route 129 (tail of the Dragon is part of it), Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge Parkway (speed limits are low compared to TOTD), Rt 321 through the Smoky’s (bush in peak seasons, but twisty and beautiful), Rt 28 through Cowee, The Snake, and so many more. That’s enough to get you started without ever hitting the TOTD.
I keep seeing reasons to never ride the dragon. Just too many idiots. I do like however how you were basically making a sandwich and taking it very easy yet he was obviously riding beyond his limit.
Riders like that are all over. The most you can do is hope one doesn't connect with you. That close call when he crossed over the line was pucker factor 10, but I would advise that you not chase someone like that. That kind of numbskull will either take it as a challenge and ride more recklessly to "beat" you (and you don't want to be caught up in litigation as a participant in an illegal race should he wipe out and injure someone), think you are following to harass and ride recklessly to get away from you, or think you are following to harass and ride recklessly to put space between other traffic and the two of you before pulling over and turning violent. Neither outcome is a good one, neither outcome will undo the close shave, and he will not learn a lesson until he brings the consequences upon himself. You have a record of his dangerous close call and you caught his plate. That's when you back off and give law enforcement a call. Trying to "teach this dumb kid a lesson" via ass-kicking - as one brilliant commenter hoped - will not only NOT teach him a lesson, but physical assault carries a far stiffer penalty than reckless riding. He gets a ticket, you go to jail. No winners, there.
After about a half a dozen times riding the Dragon myself, with too many experiences just like this one, I now avoid it and don't recommend it to anyone. It draws too many people who want to prove something or challenge themself beyond their limits. If you do want to go I suggest you stay away from the weekends and schedule it for very very early in the morning.
You were riding at like 25% effort and keeping up easily with douchebag riding as hard as he could. He's going to kill some poor guy riding down minding their own business.
Was he on a sport bike? Damn, couldn't even out run a dual sport. He doesn't belong on the mountain. Yes, I'm one of those guys who say you need a certain level of experience to do canyon riding.
Sam Dye : I’m riding a 05 KTM SMC625, I now have a 2019 KTM SMC 690r, I’m not fast in the least, not as fast as some, faster than a lot . There’s some super fast riders up our way, on everything from a gold wing, supermoto, dual sports, sidecars, oh yeah one or two quick Harley riders. It’s a great road to experience, just ride within you limits, because you have to watch out for the ones who don’t know how to ride within their limits. Thank you
Looks like a first year rider in a hurry to get to the scene of the fatality so he can become the next statistic. That's not an award you want. Take another MSF course, listen this time, and save racing for a track day.
Glad he didn't hurt anybody. Dude was really close to clipping you when he came over the line, it's a shame you didn't catch him and tell him how stupid he is.
Everyone starts at some point as new rider, but you need to know the basic rules 1st. Never cross your line ever,you are putting your life and most important another person life in risk focus on the road . 2nd respect your engine it doesn't matter how big your engine is 125cc to 1300cc . 3rd do not try to push your limits way over to your riding skills. Learn and practice before you over push your limits 4th respect the other riders space . Follow these rules and you will not have a Fked up day. Always ride safe and enjoy your day !!!!
This is why I don't even go on the Dragon anymore. Too many idiots on crotch rockets thinking it's a damn race track. Really takes the fun out of it. Slow down and enjoy the ride!
DO NOT GO THERE IN THE SUMMER. Its a circus and is dangerous. Wait until that crappy resort on the southern end closes for the season. Then you can go there an enjoy a great Fall ride without as many yahoos on the road.
I can still feel the immediate terror of rounding a turn on the Blue Ridge several years ago to see a moron on a Busa 3 feet over the line and coming right at me. Idiots on bikes are just too common.
And bikers get mad when they almost smash into our cars. Just bc your bike is still in your lane, doesn't mean you body is. Leaning like that gets you killed.
These guys are totally idiots. I've ridden the dragon multiple times and just about every time you see someone riding like this. He's a danger to all of us.
I've only been to the Dragon once, and there was someone on an Aprilia who just couldn't wait to pass me and the bike I was behind, and never alerted that they were there (in which case, maybe traffic would have moved off for them. The double crosses just...I don't know. Somebody ought to just hang out on the side and ding tennis balls off the helmets of people who pull this stuff. GO TO TRACK.
That guy is a jerk and a terrible rider but don't all the people you passed while keeping up with him think the same of you (minus the terrible rider part )?
So you cut an illegal you turn and drive just as bad to try to catch up to him passing people and crossing the double yellow line numerous times yourself?
Aaron Wehrle : Does it sound as if I’m having a hard time keeping up with him ? No, yes I did pass, other riders knew I was passing. Don’t judge unless you’re there.
Wicked Jester no you have every reason to be mad but then you turned around and cross the yellow line numerous times passing other Riders just to try to confront him I guess? No you did not have a bit of trouble keeping up with him however you rode just as bad as him trying to catch up to him. That's all I was getting at
Aaron Wehrle : You’re right, don’t think I was anywhere as careless as he was. I ride the Dragon every week, the only places to pass safely, are where I passed, double yellow or not. Be safe if you ride the Dragon, it’s the other guy you have to watch for.
Rode it just a few weeks ago. Been on it a dozen times or so seen plenty of people down and 2 ambulances doing a pick up. This last time I had a dude on a full dress HD come around the corner in my lane. I avoided hitting him and I ride Victory Magnum which is a big machine itself. Had my girlfriend on the back also. I believe our next ride will be too the Back of the Dragon in Virginia. Idiots like this Dbag are the reason I'm done with it. ✌️
Almost got taken out yesterday by a can in my lane in a curve. The road is not dangerous it’s the people who have no respect for others. Some drive as if it’s a closed road and they are the only ones there. It’s to bad because it is one of my favorite road to ride also lots of places to stop and hang out if you know what to look for. Thank you and be safe
Keith Melluso : Believe it or not, he rode all weekend without crashing, or killing anyone else. As unreal as it may sound, he actually made it three days. Thank you
@@4Gachet1960 That is cool that he made it. I hate to see any fellow biker go down but I hope next time he does not cross the yellow line. Could seriously hurt himself or someone else. Have a blessed day.
I wonder if the other noob that pulled over was with him or trying to race. Dumbass was scared to death trying to get away from almost clipping you. The Dragon is my Mecca. I always complete the blueridge pkwy and ride the Dragon every year. Ride Safe Dude.
@@4Gachet1960 Sounds about right. From a different culture and just doesn't give a shit. I've been riding since 1958 and this behavior by riders really pisses me off. Dangerous, careless, and makes us all look bad. Glad you didn't get killed in a head-on. Thanks for the update.
Cool chase video. Please stop shaking your head when you disapprove of another rider or driver's actions. You are giving some of us motion sickness and we have to turn you off. Are there motorcycle only days on the dragon? I want to drive this road in my Golf R the next time I am passing through.
I have wanted to ride the dragon ever since I got my bike 7 years ago. Since i am an experienced rider now, I just never got around too it as it is a little bit away and thing have come up. I want to go in 2017. I live in Ga, so i should be able to. I have been watching videos about the Dragon and am disappointed but not surprised by what I have seen as far as some riders being idiots and endangering others. I ride just to ride and enjoy the scenery. Do you folks think that a week day is better to ride it or is it pretty much the same? My concern is a jackass hitting me from behind or like this poor chap "Wicked Jester" almost getting a head on. Jester, were you able to catch up or get that assholes tag?
Definitely ride during the week day, the earlier in the day the better. There is plenty of pull off's to use if someone is behind you , if someone is behind you that means they're probably faster than you. So use the designated pull off's and have a safe trip.
Wow I seen some stupid video rides on the Dragon. This one is one on my top Dumb Ass rides. He will not live that long doing stupid shit like that. Sonya and I was on vacation going on the Dragon and a Goldwing rider almost kissed my front left finder of my car a few years ago. When we travel in the car we stay on the right side on the white line away from the double yellow line almost in the grass on those blind curves. I ride a Honda Goldwing as well. My channel has a video of that. Great video man a good lesson on how not to ride on US129.
Yes, the other rider was wreckless and dangerous. However by turning around and pursuing the guy, this rider became just as dangerous as he was. Two wrongs don't make a right on display here.
randall smith : depends on what you call perusing ? I call it following ! There is some passing in areas, but safely done, not like rider being followed. Looks very easy to follow, without being reckless, everybody has their point of view.
i was wanting to ride that next year. to anyone whose rode it hows the road feel, is it smooth like a highway or different. i've rode on roads that make it feel like i have knobby tires and it looks like asphalt. if it rides like that i don't want to waist the trip.
whitemotorbike2011 it's a smooth road, but I guarantee you never ridden on the road like this. It's not just the curves has a lot to do drop offs that make no sense at all. A lot of off camber corners Road may be turning to the list but falling to the right. It's very fine just be careful, and two people get in a crash this past weekend and want to die. Worst of all they were friends.
*One died, they were found over the cliff after 26 hours of laying down there. And yes, the surface is in good shape for the most part and very grippy compared to asphalt in other parts of the country. Take it easy if you're unfamiliar with the road though and try to avoid hitting it on the weekends if you can. Saturday is a circus.
It’s a stretch of highway, known as Highway 129 in East Tennessee. It’s 11 miles 318 turns it ends in North Carolina at deals gap. This is a short version. Thank you