The CB1100 Community Forum

Holy cow, what a story. Good read for all.

I read this a few days ago and again just now. Didn't have the heart to watch/listen to his recording, though. I urge everyone to read this.

Brought tears to my eyes.

I've received a lot of therapy from 3 dogs and a cat, all in bed with me at the same time.

Life is good. Cherish and respect it. And be careful out there. Any vehicle on the road near you is a potential threat.

(11-04-2016, 06:40 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]http://www.cbsnews.com/news/kevin-diepen...cle-crash/

That is sobering. That Dragon has got the worst reputation of any road in the country. North Carolina, then? Been hearing about this road for decades. We have our own deadly roads in my area, I guess every locale has one or two.

The thing that separates The Dragon out from the rest is that it is a dead-end road, no? So it gets very congested, I understand. And is a magnet for all kinds of riders. On top of all that the scenery is beautiful and I would think there would be quite a few animals and other wildlife or sudden distractions.

I guess Pike's Peak could be in the same category.

Not saying don't ride these roads, but backing it down an extra notch is a good plan.

Of late I see "The Dragon" is now being touted as a place to introduce the latest sport bikes, as with Yamaha's FZ10. Getting busier all the time and now a real tourist attraction, with the Tee shirts and all.

With a lot of two-way traffic and riders "testing" their cornering skills, motorcycle on motorcycle accidents are not uncommon on the Dragon.

US 129, The Dragon, at one time was little known to motorcyclists. I rode it a few times in the early 70's and recall few if any other motorcycles encountered. My last ride there was June 2015 and I will not ride it again; it's like playing Russian Roulette, one day that loaded chamber will align with the barrel. Too many people on bikes and sports cars use 129 as their personal playground and care little for the rights and safety of others. Riding within your limits and staying focused help but won't always allow a safe margin for the actions of others.

Ulve, the Dragon isn't a dead-end road.

We have similar roads here that don't get the same attention from motorcyclists or drivers, but boy oh boy do they get congested with bicyclists.

I spent 15 years in San Diego. Two popular roads, Palomar and Ortega, see the same types of accidents as the Dragon. Lots of yahoos who think they know how to ride because they have a GSXR, wear racing leathers, and read "Twist of the Wrist." The locals aren't impressed.

My brother rides there every year or two on his Multistrada. He goes in the Spring before the rush. As he says, if you miss a turn, you are off a cliff into the trees below. Riders should set up a fund to install some safety netting on the worst corners, or something. This guy was lucky that debris in the road made someone stop and look over the side. I think a Honda Grom is perfect for that road. Very little power so even if you are stupid fast you are only going 35.

(11-05-2016, 03:11 AM)LongRanger_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Ulve, the Dragon isn't a dead-end road.

We have similar roads here that don't get the same attention from motorcyclists or drivers, but boy oh boy do they get congested with bicyclists.

I spent 15 years in San Diego. Two popular roads, Palomar and Ortega, see the same types of accidents as the Dragon. Lots of yahoos who think they know how to ride because they have a GSXR, wear racing leathers, and read "Twist of the Wrist." The locals aren't impressed.

11 miles long and a huge tourist attraction. Of course this kind of thing is going to happen. I know nothing about the details of "The Dragon" other than it being mentioned to me a few times about 30 years ago. It did not sound like anything different than the roads I was already riding, except it was extremely congested. One curving road is about the same as another in general, the same kinds of challenges are to found anywhere.

At least they read TOTW. Better than nothing. Nothing wrong with gearing up all the way, either.

(11-05-2016, 03:38 AM)nhawk7504_imp Wrote: [ -> ]My brother rides there every year or two on his Multistrada. He goes in the Spring before the rush. As he says, if you miss a turn, you are off a cliff into the trees below. Riders should set up a fund to install some safety netting on the worst corners, or something. This guy was lucky that debris in the road made someone stop and look over the side. I think a Honda Grom is perfect for that road. Very little power so even if you are stupid fast you are only going 35.

Agree but no one is going to do that except for a laugh. Over 300 turns, safety netting is not going to happen.

I have a nice thick mental log of stories like this but that topic is just exhausted and exhausting. There are those riders who've crashed and those who are going to crash. That's motorcycling. We love it, we accept the risk, hopefully we work at getting better and better at it all the time.