| Author | Message | ||
     Dudeman |
Some feedback to the group. Background: stock uly, regular pennzoil 20w50, Buell tank bag, coretech tail bag, ~3400 miles at start, replaced Dunlops with Pirelli Stradas before start of trip, suspension set per the book, rider: 185-190 lb Well I took the Uly through the paces a bit this weekend, only road riding, no dirt. Rode with a couple buds, on a dresser and a v-rod. We covered a bit over 1000 miles traveling from Illinois to Deal's Gap and surrounding areas. First of all, prior to the trip, the Dunlops caused the bike to wander at highway speeds. Reducing the preload on the rear shock made a big difference. Now with the Stradas, the bike behaves totally different. Even with the rear preload back up to factory settings the bike now is smooth as silk and straight as an arrow. Riding the Tennessee highways is nice, with speed limits of 70 most are cruising above 80. We rode for hours at a time 85-90 mph and the Uly just ate it up. We left in the afternoon, so arrived in Sweetwater TN That evening. Nice little dot on the map, conveniently located near where we wanted to be. Some drizzle on the way, but nothing major. The next morning we drove a little ways to Tellico Plains. This took us to the Cherohala Scenic Skyway. What a beautiful road. It's about 55 miles of mountain riding with wide sweeping curves riding up to about 5500 ft. We were riding early morning so there was a bit of dew on the road, but the uly stuck like glue. At one point we rode into the clouds and were in a whiteout for a mile or so. Otherwise there are lots of scenic stops and we saw maybe 6 vehicles over the whole length. It's a beautiful ride, highly recommended. Coming out of the Skyway leads to Robbinsville, NC, where we checked in to Phillips Motel. Decent place with good prices and tons of bike riders. The ride to Deal's Gap from Robbinsville is also very nice. The road follows rapids where kayak riders are having a blast. At one point there's a 10-12' drop and the kayaks go flying off the edge... Deal's Gap was packed. All sorts of bikes, surprising how many big dressers were there as well. One nice thing about the retail side is that they keep the prices very reasonable. Saw an orange Uly there and kinda teased the rider about black being faster. He said orange was. :-) Anyway he was in a hurry so didn't get to chat with him. This was my first time to the Dragon so I was a little apprehensive given all the folklore. The first run started well and I didn't start too fast. But, before I knew it I caught up with 3 Canadian sportbike riders. Well, being my first run through the place, I didn't want to push it too much and try to pass them, so I followed them around and enjoyed the pace. On the way back I had a clear run, some slow riders that were easily passed. So I pushed it pretty hard. Man oh man, how much fun can a guy have. I overdid it once when I came out of a dipping curve a bit too wide and went into the other lane. Not a good move, won't do that again (hopefully). The harder I pushed it, the more the uly wanted to eat the road. I skid a little once, downshifting into second. One thing I noticed was after riding hard for a while (like 3/4 way thru the tail) the engine would start to ping a bit. I thought maybe it was the gas, but coming back the next day after refueling several times the pinging/knocking was still there. We rode some more in the area and came back to the tail the next day on our way out. Early morning is the best time to head up there. When we arrived around 9-10 a.m. there were maybe 7-8 bikes out and about. No dew on the road and another awesome run. We headed up 129 to Smoky Mountain HD-Buell in Maryville. Now there's a beautiful store as well. The ride back was gorgeous, sunny highway riding all the way. All I can say is that the Uly is a superb multipurpose bike and on this trip I didn't even take it off road. On the highways it's as comfortable as can be. In the curves it's rock'n roll time. I've never had so much fun on a single bike! The tires make a huge difference on the road; then again so does suspension setup. No mechanical issues - burned maybe a tenth of a quart of oil. | ||
| Maximum |
Sounds awesome, but.... where are the pictures!!!  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
What kind of windshield were you riding behind? | ||
| Dr_greg |
I came up through Tellico Plains from Gainesville, GA on hwys 60/68 a few weeks ago. Everything you say is true! Due to time constraints I had to turn west at Tellico so I missed the best riding...oh well I have to get back another day (we rode from New Mexico). That is some of the prettiest country and best roads I've ever seen (and we have some of both in NM). Sounds like you had a great time! | ||
| Jgarvey |
Dudeman, That was me on the Orange Uly. Sorry I did not stop to chat. Nature calling you know. When I got back our you guys were on your bikes headed out. I live in Knoxville so I guess I kind of take all of the great roads for granted. Glad you had an enjoyable and safe trip. Maybe we will cross paths again and I won't be on a mission. | ||
| Dudeman |
Max: Pics are forthcoming, as soon as I get organized -) Electra: stock shield Dr: Can I guy have any more fun????? J: We were biting at the bit! Nice to put a face to a name here though. | ||
| Dudeman |
Ready to head out.  | ||
| Dudeman |
Cloud line at Cherohala Skyway.  | ||
| Dudeman |
The infamous Tree of Shame at Deal's Gap. Lots of sportbike parts...  Sign reads: "No Gain... and a lot of Pain" (Message edited by dudeman on June 06, 2006) | ||
| Dudeman |
Kayakers gone wild. The rapids are on 129 between Robbinsville, NC and Deal's Gap.  | ||
| Dudeman |
Deal's Gap resort area and concessions.    | ||
| Dudeman |
More pics later, once I check out killboy.com | ||
| Chadhargis |
If you were there on a weekend, Darrell (aka Killboy) got a few shots of you for sure. He's a nice guy. After spending the weekend in WI, and driving through Indiana and Illnois, I was REALLY happy to be back home. Even the roads I always thought sucked here at home are ultra twisty compared to what's up there. I did a bit or riding yesterday and felt sorry for you guys up north. The Dragon is a fun road, but there are hundreds of roads very similar to it from about an hour east of Nashville all the way over to Western NC and North GA. You could spend an entire week riding the area an not hit all the awesome roads, many devoid of tourists, traffic, or for that matter, any sign of life. Cherohala Skyway is truly awesome. Nothing like riding it in early spring or late fall and running into snow up there.  I've stayed at the Phillips Motel before. Nice homey place, and the diner next door has some good breakfast. From your pictures, it looks like the store at the Crossroads of Time has got a new sign. I haven't been up there this year, so they probably did some renovation over the winter. We desperately need to have a Uly gathering in the area. I'd suggest not focusing on the Deal's Gap area since it is so heavily patrolled. Shoot a bit more Northeast for Shady Valley, TN and US421. Great road, and very little traffic. | ||
| 2old2bfast |
Let me know when the "Uly ride" will take place and I'll bend over backwards to be there... I have a buddy that also rides a Uly in Upstate New York, and that area works perfectly as a meeting spot halfway between the two of us. We've been there twice since the Uly's were both new last September, but I'm looking for an excuse to go back! I agree we shouldn't focus on the Dragon (but the pics from Killboy are and added bonus, but it's always worth IMO at least one pass. Cherohalla is the far better ride, but if know of a few that are worthwhile I'd like to run a few more fire roads while I am there next. I've heard of a "dirt dragon" close by, but somehow still haven't ridden it... And for those of you that have not yet experience what a Uly is capable of on a road as technical as the "tail of the dragon", I will restate that I can get up and down that road far easier, and probably significantly faster with less stress on this bike than any other I have ever ridden (and among my others I currently still have a ZX10-R)! It is like a magic carpet ride filled with adrenalin... So Dudeman, thanks for sharing! | ||
| Chadhargis |
I can't wait to get mine up there. I imagine it will carve that road up quite well. The bike of choice for riding fast on that road seems to be a supermotard. Those dudes are FAST on that road. | ||
| Flyor |
I'm down with a "Uly Ride" in that area. I'm in North Alabama so not too far for me to get up that way. Would be an awesome excuse to get out of town for a weekend. I've not ridden the dragon and had fully intended to ride the Cherohala on our way to Myrtle Beach last month (mapped out and all), but an impromptu rear tire replacement in Cleveland, TN kanked that portion of the trip very quick like... | ||
| Chadhargis |
Hope you got to ride Hwy 74 out of Cleveland. It follows the Ocoee River. Then pick up Hwy 68 out of Ducktown. | ||
| Roadrailer |
Shoot a bit more Northeast for Shady Valley, TN and US421. Great road, and very little traffic. SV and 421, IIRC, have become squid central. I believe the popo has had to increase their presence up there to keep the squiddies from plastering themselves along the road. Maybe I'm wrong, it's been a while since I've looked into it... | ||
| Flyor |
yeah, we took 74 out of Cleveland and then picked up 64 (I think) into Clemson, SC. It was a pretty great road, right along the ocoee and then from Clayton, GA to the SC stateline. Unfortunately, the first part thru Ocoee was rather boring as I "scuffed" in the new Dunlop Qualifier...the only tire in Cleveland that fit my bike.... | ||
| Chadhargis |
It can be pretty traffic filled during rafting season too. | ||
| 2old2bfast |
Flyor, How'd it handle on qualifiers? As much fun as technical roads like those referenced above can be, I'm really tempted to do a track day with mine just to see where its limits really are and I think the qualifier would still carry about the same carcass dimensions as the stock rubber! Let me know what you think, and whether or not you replaced the front as well... Oh yeah, and SORRY you missed Cherohalla... It'll be worth the return trip!!! | ||
| Dudeman |
Here are some pics I found on photoreflect: Following Canadians:   | ||
| Dudeman |
Other shots:   | ||
| Dudeman |
Hey Jgarvey, these look like you:     | ||
| Stevenknapp |
After spending the weekend in WI, and driving through Indiana and Illnois, I was REALLY happy to be back home. Even the roads I always thought sucked here at home are ultra twisty compared to what's up there. I did a bit or riding yesterday and felt sorry for you guys up north. Nice. No pitty needed here. Did you get off the slab at all? Look for the twisties? Or were you just trying to "get there" in your truck? Those who know the area, know where to find the twisties. Similar to anywhere I've been, you need to look at a map and pick the better roads. I spent my weekend riding roads that were as good as any I had ridden in TN, NC, or GA. But I was in WI, MN, and IA.  | ||
| Chadhargis |
Well share the wealth brother Steve. I spent plenty of time on the backroads following Daves and the gang to the factory. I was keeping up in my big ole 4x4 until I had to make a gas stop (14mpg! Yikes!!). I don't think that would have been the case on the uber twisties around here given the rollover tendency of my Explorer. LOL! Heck, I don't think I could even get my truck down Hwy 85 east of Livingston, TN. The hairpins are too tight. Most people who live up there all said the same thing. No twisties up there. You sure you weren't playing video games or something?? LOL!  I didn't even see hills until I got to southern Indiana on the way home, and no sweet iced tea until Kentucky. LOL! A friend and I are already making plans to come up for the races next year, and do the CLASS school at Road America after race weekend. Maybe you can come up and show us the insane twisties. | ||
| Flyor |
2old2bfast, Just changed the rear tire...don't think they had a front even available had I been interested. As for the tire, it's worked well but I think it's probably much more capable than I've pushed it. Considering the mixed tires and my relative "newness" to anything remotely capable of laying it over in a turn (former mx and harley guy only...never owned a "streeter" before this one...) BTW, my apologies to Dudeman if I hijacked this post at all (Message edited by flyor on June 07, 2006) | ||
| Stevenknapp |
Chad, maybe good roads are like BBQ and religion.  Just not worth discussing what's the best. Heck, and I'm not even saying that WI beats TN for roads. Just that IL/WI/MN/IA has some good stuff, and life here isn't as bleak as you say. I was was 150mi or so west of where you were or plan on going. Closer to the Mississippi river, or along the river. Look from Minneapolis south to Dubuque. A bit east and a bit west. More goodness west of Madison to the river. Example: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=44.077227,-91.075287&spn=0.238751,0.644073&om=1 or http://maps.google.com/maps?om=1&ll=43.76068,-91.839523&spn=0.240025,0.644073 The county roads, the "letter roads" in Wisconsin that twist and turn. But they don't really connect anything to anything. You take one for 5-6mi, then turn onto another, then another... The nice part is they aren't at all crowded and rarely have any police. The flip side is they are along farms, and there can be some crud around the next bend. Same risks on Deals Gap, where there could be an accident or semi around the corner. I don't know the route DaveS took. I do know it's hard leading a group ride, and more so if you're going to wander around the county roads. I also don't know that area as well, getting up there for me involves fleeing Chicago sprawl then going through Milwaukee sprawl. Oh, and sweet tea is pretty rare. Famous Dave's, a BBQ chain that started in Hayward, WI but has spread all over serves it. A handful of other BBQ joints do as well. I do love the sweet tea. | ||
| Jgarvey |
That is me! Thanks Dudeman for digging me out of Kill Boys files. | ||
| Dudeman |
Max: Pics are forthcoming, as soon as I get organized -) Electra: stock shield Dr: Can I guy have any more fun????? J: We were biting at the bit! Nice to put a face to a name here = though. | ||
| Dudeman |
Max: Pics are forthcoming, as soon as I get organized -) Electra: stock shield Dr: Can I guy have any more fun????? J: We were biting at the bit! Nice to put a face to a name here = though. | ||
| Dudeman |
Max: Pics are forthcoming, as soon as I get organized -) Electra: stock shield Dr: Can I guy have any more fun????? J: We were biting at the bit! Nice to put a face to a name here = though. | ||
| Dudeman |
Max: Pics are forthcoming, as soon as I get organized -) Electra: stock shield Dr: Can I guy have any more fun????? J: We were biting at the bit! Nice to put a face to a name here = though. | ||
| Dudeman |
Max: Pics are forthcoming, as soon as I get organized -) Electra: stock shield Dr: Can I guy have any more fun????? J: We were biting at the bit! Nice to put a face to a name here = though. | ||
| Dudeman |
Max: Pics are forthcoming, as soon as I get organized -) Electra: stock shield Dr: Can I guy have any more fun????? J: We were biting at the bit! Nice to put a face to a name here = though. | ||
| Dudeman |
Max: Pics are forthcoming, as soon as I get organized -) Electra: stock shield Dr: Can I guy have any more fun????? J: We were biting at the bit! Nice to put a face to a name here = though. | ||
| Dudeman |
Max: Pics are forthcoming, as soon as I get organized -) Electra: stock shield Dr: Can I guy have any more fun????? J: We were biting at the bit! Nice to put a face to a name here = though. |
