Surviving The Tail Of The Dragon

It's funny, I first rode the gap back in 98 before it'd become as well known (it was pretty well known in mc circles, but later heavily covered in sports car circles)

Back then the posted speed limit was 45MPH! Which for the tight stuff would be impressive indeed!
 
He sold his wing some time back, is he back on another wing? I've chatted with him via pm over the years, neat guy.

SOULRIDER said:
Yellow Wolf is back BTW.

He did an Iron Butt through the Gap (back and forth). The association would not acknowledge it, but I think that's super impressive.
Click to expand...
 
zvez said:
It's funny, I first rode the gap back in 98 before it'd become as well known (it was pretty well known in mc circles, but later heavily covered in sports car circles)

Back then the posted speed limit was 45MPH! Which for the tight stuff would be impressive indeed!
Click to expand...

I've been going once and twice yearly since '98 as well. The roads are sooooo much better. Used to be ruts, holes, and gravel with no pull offs. I remember the gas station people that were first spoken about in this thread.
Of any bike I have brought there the 1199s has been my favorite. The suspension, ergos and strong twin power were a perfect combo for me this spring. Didn't like the DTC though. It was always in my face even at least setting. DTC is awesome at the track though. (My 2cents.)

Riding the track for years has improved my skills in the Gap. But only in sense that I understand how to handle the bike. The turn in and exit points aren't the same.
Looking through the turn is tough at the Gap, but it still needs to be done or the turns will bite you.

Many of the comments from the observers and the defender alike all have similar personalities. So the internet is NOT an easy place to give or accept comments since "tone" can't be conveyed easily. Remember everyone can have their feelings hurt, even if "someone" says no they can't. We all enjoy sharing simliar experiences of this bike. Be more receiving and less obtrusive on peoples sharing of their experiences.

I always enjoy seeing peoples experiences of the Gap for the first or millionth trip. It's my home away from home. Thanks for sharing the videos. I should be there in October for my second annual trip if anyone else heads up.
 
Their's a US Desmo ducati rally in Murphy NC Sept 13-15, you ought to come out, usually have 60-80 riders and lots of great riding.

gman74 said:
I've been going once and twice yearly since '98 as well. The roads are sooooo much better. Used to be ruts, holes, and gravel with no pull offs. I remember the gas station people that were first spoken about in this thread.
Of any bike I have brought there the 1199s has been my favorite. The suspension, ergos and strong twin power were a perfect combo for me this spring. Didn't like the DTC though. It was always in my face even at least setting. DTC is awesome at the track though. (My 2cents.)

Riding the track for years has improved my skills in the Gap. But only in sense that I understand how to handle the bike. The turn in and exit points aren't the same.
Looking through the turn is tough at the Gap, but it still needs to be done or the turns will bite you.

Many of the comments from the observers and the defender alike all have similar personalities. So the internet is NOT an easy place to give or accept comments since "tone" can't be conveyed easily. Remember everyone can have their feelings hurt, even if "someone" says no they can't. We all enjoy sharing simliar experiences of this bike. Be more receiving and less obtrusive on peoples sharing of their experiences.

I always enjoy seeing peoples experiences of the Gap for the first or millionth trip. It's my home away from home. Thanks for sharing the videos. I should be there in October for my second annual trip if anyone else heads up.
Click to expand...
 
zvez said:
Their's a US Desmo ducati rally in Murphy NC Sept 13-15, you ought to come out, usually have 60-80 riders and lots of great riding.
Click to expand...

I have to teach a class all Sept.:mad: Normally Sept is our normal dates. Every May and Sept.
 
gman74 said:
I've been going once and twice yearly since '98 as well. The roads are sooooo much better. Used to be ruts, holes, and gravel with no pull offs. I remember the gas station people that were first spoken about in this thread.
Of any bike I have brought there the 1199s has been my favorite. The suspension, ergos and strong twin power were a perfect combo for me this spring. Didn't like the DTC though. It was always in my face even at least setting. DTC is awesome at the track though. (My 2cents.)

Riding the track for years has improved my skills in the Gap. But only in sense that I understand how to handle the bike. The turn in and exit points aren't the same.
Looking through the turn is tough at the Gap, but it still needs to be done or the turns will bite you.

Many of the comments from the observers and the defender alike all have similar personalities. So the internet is NOT an easy place to give or accept comments since "tone" can't be conveyed easily. Remember everyone can have their feelings hurt, even if "someone" says no they can't. We all enjoy sharing simliar experiences of this bike. Be more receiving and less obtrusive on peoples sharing of their experiences.

I always enjoy seeing peoples experiences of the Gap for the first or millionth trip. It's my home away from home. Thanks for sharing the videos. I should be there in October for my second annual trip if anyone else heads up.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you remember the uneven pavement then.

Doris and Pete were the best. Pete didn't play games with anyone. At 5pm the CRoT closed, and he could be seen with a beer in his hand chatting with people.

We used to rent out the trailer beside the hotel. Back then that was living large in that area.
 
gman74 said:
I've been going once and twice yearly since '98 as well. The roads are sooooo much better. Used to be ruts, holes, and gravel with no pull offs. I remember the gas station people that were first spoken about in this thread.
Of any bike I have brought there the 1199s has been my favorite. The suspension, ergos and strong twin power were a perfect combo for me this spring. Didn't like the DTC though. It was always in my face even at least setting. DTC is awesome at the track though. (My 2cents.)

Riding the track for years has improved my skills in the Gap. But only in sense that I understand how to handle the bike. The turn in and exit points aren't the same.
Looking through the turn is tough at the Gap, but it still needs to be done or the turns will bite you.

Many of the comments from the observers and the defender alike all have similar personalities. So the internet is NOT an easy place to give or accept comments since "tone" can't be conveyed easily. Remember everyone can have their feelings hurt, even if "someone" says no they can't. We all enjoy sharing simliar experiences of this bike. Be more receiving and less obtrusive on peoples sharing of their experiences.

I always enjoy seeing peoples experiences of the Gap for the first or millionth trip. It's my home away from home. Thanks for sharing the videos. I should be there in October for my second annual trip if anyone else heads up.
Click to expand...


!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://ducati1199.com/ride-reports/14863-panigales-dragon-meetup-10-10-13-a.html
 
zvez said:
He sold his wing some time back, is he back on another wing? I've chatted with him via pm over the years, neat guy.
Click to expand...

I talked to Darryl and he told me what he was riding now, but honestly I can't remember.

He was one of the smoothest people I've ever seen ride the Gap.
 
Cool vid - thank you for posting it. A few friendly non-judgmental observations:

1st gear sounds and looks fun on video, but running a gear higher in every corner will reduce your oh-.... moments by more than half. Even in a 15mph corner you can run 3rd gear at 35-45mph and roll on the power progressively (and smoothly) without fear of tucking the front. I saw a few throttle-chops mid-corner that made me jump. Over 50mph in those corners and you better have knee pucks.

You're oversteering on rights and lefts...especially off to the right of the white lines where there can be lots of gravel. Get your suspension set up for your weight, then set EBC to 3. You will feel the exact point in the corner entry where you go from under- to neutral to oversteer and it'll tell you precisely when to get on the gas.

When I know I'm doing technical twisties that are new to me I'll push my dry suspension settings to my 120/wet map and ride the bike like a 600. Still an awesome time and less drama/risk. No shame in it. You can run it in sport/race next time. The point is allowing the possibility for a next time.
 

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