Deal's Gap

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rcmatt007
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Re: Deal's Gap

#46

Post by rcmatt007 »

Since the dragon is really popular (lots of bikes) the risk goes up for the average rider. I remember being passed by a zoom-splat in a curve near Eureka Springs, he barely got back in as a truck passed us from the other direction. If he had been hit he would have taken me out as well.
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
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CYBORG
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Re: Deal's Gap

#47

Post by CYBORG »

rcmatt007 wrote:Since the dragon is really popular (lots of bikes) the risk goes up for the average rider. I remember being passed by a zoom-splat in a curve near Eureka Springs, he barely got back in as a truck passed us from the other direction. If he had been hit he would have taken me out as well.
That's the reason for going after the resort is closed. Peace and quiet, and almost no traffic. Sometimes none
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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77Gowing
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Re: Deal's Gap

#48

Post by 77Gowing »

That's the reason for going after the resort is closed. Peace and quiet, and almost no traffic. Sometimes none[/quote]
So when is the resort closed?
"Less is More" Anonymous

77Gowing
1977 GL1000 "O'le Blue." (sold :crying)
2014 Yamaha 950 V Star (sold)
2017 Indian Scout Std w/ABS (sold)
2009 Honda VTX1300R "Me Brudder's" (sold)
1984 Honda Interstate "84' 2outa4." Gone
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Liam
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Re: Deal's Gap

#49

Post by Liam »

I rode the dragon on a Shadow in 2015. Coming into a bend I saw 2 crotch rockets behind me in the mirrors.
One of them passed me coming out of the bend but the second one disappeared, and I never saw him after.
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CYBORG
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Re: Deal's Gap

#50

Post by CYBORG »

77Gowing wrote:That's the reason for going after the resort is closed. Peace and quiet, and almost no traffic. Sometimes none
So when is the resort closed?[/quote]
I think it varies. But usually late fall to early spring. It's also better during the middle of the week
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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pidjones
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Re: Deal's Gap

#51

Post by pidjones »

Closes in November, opens first of March. January and February often have some great mid-week riding weather.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
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Halfnaked
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Re: Deal's Gap

#52

Post by Halfnaked »

Fond memories for sure. "Morgan" and "halfnaked" on the Dragon in 2018.


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Duct tape can't fix stupid, but it can muffle the sound. --Anonymous


Current: '81 GL1100 (Completely naked!), '97 TRX300FW(4X4),'96 TRX300FW(4X4)
Past: '76 GL1000, '77 GL1000, '78 GL1000, '79 GL1000, '79 GL1000(Fairing),'82 GL1100I, '86 GL1200, '94 GL1500A,'76 GL1000 LTD, '82 GL1100I (halfnaked), '00 GL1500C ( the Ultimate Naked Goldwing), '80 GL1100 (with a full set of Craig Vetter stuff)
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Chris in TN
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Re: Deal's Gap

#53

Post by Chris in TN »

77Gowing wrote:Yes you are correct the heavy lean scares me, but knowing that leaning and counter steering is very effective I endever to get it down. The wing is heavy and not near as nimble in turns than the Harley 500 training bike I rode.
Hey buddy,

I was a MSF Instructor for 11 years and about the same time I started teaching motorcycling for the USAF I also started club level road racing with the then CRRC in Texas while I was stationed in Austin. (I have very fond memories of Texas World Speedway in College Station!) From your comments it sounds as though you've taken the Basic Rider Course (or whatever they're calling it now) and I promise, that sets you up better than many of the folks who show up at the Gap since the majority of them have never had any formal motorcycle training. The mantra I bet you heard in your course about cornering is exactly what expert racers do when cornering..."Slow...Look...Lean...Roll". The process is no different really whether you're a sport rider on the Dragon or a casual commuter navigating a country road on the way home.

SLOW
- choose an entry speed for the turn and adjust your speed accordingly

LOOK
- Look through the turn and find the exit. Focus on that. Look where you want to go.

LEAN
- Turn the bike with counter-steering to head for that exit. (By focusing on the exit and heading for it you'll automatically set up the right lean angle to acheive it.) I understand that Instructors now call this stage "Press" which makes sense as you press on the bars to intiate counter-steering.

ROLL
- As you establish the lean angle with countersteering slowly roll on the throttle and accelerate out of the turn. Start by just cracking the throttle on and accerate harder as the bike comes back upright. By accelerating you'll extend the front forks as the weight shifts to the rear and the changed steering geometery will make the bike feel a lot more stable resulting in a much more comfortable rider.

The best way to practice this would be to find a uncrowded country road and try it out at a comfortable unscary speed. For a lot of folks it really helps to break down the different tasks and practice them seperately. For example, you might decide for the next run over your practice road to concentrate on LOOKING and picking up a good target to head for. The next run might be all about LEAN and trying to be precise in your steering. Concentrate on doing it all correctly rather than trying to increase your speed or deepen your lean angle. Speed and lean will come as a by product of doing it all right. It'll feel pretty awkward at first I know, and disconnected like you're doing those four things separately from each other. But, one of these days, it'll come together and the bike will feel like it's on autopilot, effortlessly going right where you want it without you thinking very much about it at all. Once you start to get to the automatic stage, you'll be able to make adjustments, alter your line as needed, trail brake, or change where your weight is on the bike to improve a cornering situation.

Have faith in yourself since you've already done the most important part by taking that class. Keep that good, "I'm here to learn" attitude and always look for new tips from fellow riders, like you've done here, or read bike mags and books to keep learning about our sport. Another good tip is to think about another class when you gained some practical knowledge, such as the MSF Experienced Rider Course. Those were fun to teach and were usually like seminars with fellow riders where the knowledge flow went in both directions and I learned along with my students and from them.

Hopefully the world will reset back to something like normal and I'll see you at Mid-Ohio for the AMA Vintage Days. And, should you ever want to ride Eastern Tennessee and the Smokys, I'm sure Pid and I would be glad to show you around.

Take Care Buddy

Chris
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1976 GL1000, 1978 GS1000E, 1979 GS1000S, 1981 CM400C,
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Chris in TN
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Re: Deal's Gap

#54

Post by Chris in TN »

CYBORG wrote:I believe I heard that "yellow wolf" crashed, and no longer rides the Dragon
From what I hear from PJ and Curtie Ric isn't riding bikes at all now.
Chris
Current fleet:
1976 GL1000, 1978 GS1000E, 1979 GS1000S, 1981 CM400C,
1986 RG500G, 1988 R100RS, 1991 K100RS, 1997 GSF1200
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77Gowing
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Re: Deal's Gap

#55

Post by 77Gowing »

Hey Chris in Tn,

Thanks for the tips I really appreciate it.
I signed up for ...4 MSF courses.
1st it was at my local community college. The teaching was what I call assembly line regulatory focus with little opportunity to ask questions. $25 so you get what you pay for. First day of riding was 85 degrees on black top @ 90% humidity. By mid day as a recovered open heart patient I pulled the plug and told them I was done for the day and went home before I had a stroke.

2nd try at the Harley Dealership $300 for four days. Lots of HD marketing but course is very detailed with plenty of room to ask questions. Made it through all four days and learned a lot. But I failed the practical exam.

3rd try, returned to HD and passed with flying colors. $300. Worth it.

4th Went back to my community college and took my son so he could get his endorsement. We both passed and shortly after I bought him a used Yamaha 1300.
I also bought a 2017 Indian scout right after. It rides nice for an hour then my butt starts throbbing and its painful to ride after that. Am thinking about getting a Corbin seat for it. The Corbin on my wing I can sit on all day. Problem is the Corbin costs $600 clams and it's still a crap shoot.
In defense of my Scout I have to say I weighed 75lbs heavier than I am now at a reducing 300#.
So the major part of my comfort is my fault. But am a work in progress.

Since retiring I found my lack of engagement was causing me a lot of depression. Used to pray the Lord would take me in my sleep. Till I remembered that as a research engineer I was always developing new skill sets. We dont often realise that when we are working on cutting edge stuff that we ALL are learning to work with our new technology including the inventor and or chief principle designers. I've seen many a million dollar project go up in smoke just because the proper sequence of events were not followed. But until we learned the cause we did not discern what WAS the proper sequence.

So, after realizing that I needed mental stimulation to remain fully engaged, I started tutoring at the Adult Learning Center for Literacy. I love it. As an instructor or what I like to refer to as being a guide I often learn more than my students. I teach computers, mathematics and Phonics. The social distancing would be bothering me right now, except that I am busy preparing EVERY detail for my trip to Mid Ohio this summer. Lots of little things to prep on my bike and if course I'm riding as much as possible right now to improve my skills and the comfort of my keister. Lol

Thanks very Much Chris for you kind guidance. I'm supposed to stop in Crossville for three days to see my step sister. But dont know for sure as it appears she's angry at me because I asked a simple question that rankled her. She get upset too easily. So if I find out she dies not want me to stop by perhaps we can connect in E. Ten.

Thanks,

Kenny
"Less is More" Anonymous

77Gowing
1977 GL1000 "O'le Blue." (sold :crying)
2014 Yamaha 950 V Star (sold)
2017 Indian Scout Std w/ABS (sold)
2009 Honda VTX1300R "Me Brudder's" (sold)
1984 Honda Interstate "84' 2outa4." Gone
1982 Honda GL1100 "After thought." Gone
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CYBORG
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Re: Deal's Gap

#56

Post by CYBORG »

Chris in TN wrote:
CYBORG wrote:I believe I heard that "yellow wolf" crashed, and no longer rides the Dragon
From what I hear from PJ and Curtie Ric isn't riding bikes at all now.
That's what I heard as well
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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pidjones
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Re: Deal's Gap

#57

Post by pidjones »

He's been driving a truck all over NA delivering boats. Sold the house in NC and I think now has one in Georgia. Cut his wrist real bad a few years ago but seems to have recovered finally.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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rcmatt007
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Re: Deal's Gap

#58

Post by rcmatt007 »

did he cut his wrist because he couldn't ride on two wheels?
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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CYBORG
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Re: Deal's Gap

#59

Post by CYBORG »

It's and old story. Have a bad accident...… never ride again
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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pidjones
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Re: Deal's Gap

#60

Post by pidjones »

He cut his wrist when a mirror that he was bumping to adjust shattered. Darn near bled out in a rest area. Still has some nerve damage in that hand, I believe. Severed a lot of things. He had stopped riding (the second time) years before.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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