Who's going to deals gap?

[Pocket Aces]

or has anyone been there?

what's the experience like?

copy pasta from the sturgis thread

(south dakota is boring and only Harley guys go up to sturgis)

I might move back to Milwaukee so if any of you miltown riders want to go lets do this.

 

[Vangpao]

or has anyone been there?

I go every year.

what's the experience like?
 

It's beautiful in the Smokey Mountains. The thermals of fog reach up to the gracefully sloping mountain ridges. The road rises to meet your tires as the elevation dips into green dales and streaks across the Cherohala Skyway (Which you should ride while you're there.)

When riding The Tail of the Dragon/U.S. 129, ride from the Cross Roads of Time to the overlook with caution to get a feel of the road before you double the speed limit back down. The road comes to life at double the speed limit since one can properly load one's suspension and feel the undulations of the tarmac. It's like a real living breathing road at those speeds. One can reach speeds of 95-100 on the Dragon, but, it'll only be for short bursts. It's a road that all motorcyclist should ride-even if they aren't pushing themselves to any limit. The whole region is a wonderful exploration of twisty roads. Getting lost is a pleasure.

Just keep in mind that the roads will punish you if you tip-toe across a center line or overshoot a corner. (That was the disclaimer.)

[Vangpao]

Hey, here are some pics. I found on my hard drive.


Unlike U.S. 129, the Cherohala is more of a flowing road. It's 50 some miles across a mountain ridge from Tellico Plains to Robbinsville. There are turn outs to view the scenery, but no roads to cross it's path.

A view of the Cherohala to the east:



A view of the Cherohala to the west:



If you think that's twisty, you'll be surprised at what you'll find.

There are great places to see also.
Like;


The Blue Ridge Parkway,




The Overlook from U.S. 129/ The Tail of the Dragon,




Blood Mountain,




and Bride Veil Falls to name a few spots.





Even the drive is gorgeous:







And the food is terrific.





But, you don't have to do this all day if you don't feel like it.
It's fun if you can though.




(I figured why not post this picture of me again, since HPA posted it a while back.)

Like I said before, If you're a motorcyclist, you need to visit this part of the States.

[Finest]

Dude.  One of your headlights are out.   

[Vangpao]

Dude.  One of your headlights are out.   

Not when I flip the brights on.

You ought to know better than that brotha'.

[Finest]

Not when I flip the brights on.

You ought to know better than that brotha'.

Seriously, you could get pulled over for that.  Why are you too cheap to fix it? 

(I rewired my R6 with dual projectors.    )

[Vangpao]

Because that's the way the factory sent it to the States.
The one drawback to try and rectify the headlight situation is that I'd hate to rewire my-multiple hundred dollar-headlight array to create another possible failure point.
 
I figure that if; Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki passed all government regulations with line-beam lights, what does some flatfoot have to say about it. Give me a ticket that'll just be thrown out in court in front of them as they park their ass on the bench?

Besides, if the cops want to pull me over for it, they'll need to catch me first.

[Finest]

Apparently sarcasm doesn't translate too well online.   

When I was bone stock, I had coworkers tell me every day "Hey, you have a headlight out on your bike!". 

[Pocket Aces]

I go every year.

Can I tag along with you this year? I dont eat much and I have a sleeping bag. What think?

 I like your pics (and description), vangpao!

[Toua]

Seriously, you could get pulled over for that.  Why are you too cheap to fix it?  

(I rewired my R6 with dual projectors.   )

my R1 uses H4 light bulbs so both are always on. Lights are super bright too.. Gonna install some HID's..  i was gonna rewire Jet's R6 before he sold it..

[Toua]

nice.. i remember seeing some roads similiar to this somewhere in fishing while i was lost looking for a fishing spot..  i think it was like 2-3 hrs away though 

[Toua]

On a serious note, I'm still not clear on the reasons for having HIDs installed and wired in.  Just get brighter halogen bulbs. 

the halogen bulbs on my bike are plenty bright since 2 headlights come on at the same time, but having HID will be even brighter plus looks cooler at night. Got some installed on my SUV and GF's civic and made a whole world of difference

[Finest]

On a serious note, I'm still not clear on the reasons for having HIDs installed and wired in.  Just get brighter halogen bulbs. 

1)  It does cast a brighter and more pronounced light across the road with less light fall off at the edges.  The further you can see, the better.  Halogens and regular lights fall off at the far end, making it hard to spot that dog or cat in the road when milliseconds count.

2)  Also, being brighter is safer for the rider because it makes other vehicles around it more aware of the bike during the night (and day).  The #1 type of accident on a motorcycle is when a car pulls out in front of the bike's path because people aren't always aware or look for a small profile such as a bike, they're only looking for the larger objects:  cars, trucks.  A bright light shining at them will make you stand out more and be seen. 

[Vangpao]

Can I tag along with you this year? I dont eat much and I have a sleeping bag. What think?

 I like your pics (and description), vangpao!

I'll see you at The Cross Roads at the end of March.

Are you expecting Vangpao to pick up your tab too?   

I thought Pocket-A was going to pick up the tab?
Awe fu-ck!

[Pocket Aces]

I'll see you at The Cross Roads at the end of March.


I thought Pocket-A was going to pick up the tab?
Awe fu-ck!

beer tab, no problem I have that covered. Hookers, motel room, hids (let me blind other vehicles) youre on your own.