The Arkansas Dragon - Hwy 123 | Arkansas Motorcycle Roads and Rides

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The Arkansas Dragon - Hwy 123

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 17 visitors

State: Arkansas
Date Submitted: June 1, 2009
Submitted by: Cruz'N
Motorcycle Road Length: 15 Miles

Written Directions

This route starts at the intersection of Hwy 7 and Hwy 123 which is about 40 miles north of Russellville, AR in a town called Lurton, AR. From here take Hwy 123 northeast up to Mt Judea.

Scenery

The scenic is great if you get time to look. The switchback are around every corner. So many in fact, trucks are not allowed on this road!

Road Quality

There are more curves and switchbacks in these 15 miles. The views are great if you can take your eyes off the road long enough to look. Sorry no photos at this time, I was to busy scrapping my sideboards over the 15 miles of turns and, because they don't allow trucks on this road, the road is in great shape.

Roadside Amenities

No amenities - just curves.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .

Nickname (optional) Cruz'N

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Reviewed by Sooner805 on September 5, 2011 (1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Spud
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Suzuki
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: This is a great road with lots of great scenery. I road this route north from Lamar to Western Grove. The traffic was light and the surface was good. Good food in Mt. Judea. The problem I have is the comparison with Deals Gap of which there is none. The Ark. Dragon is over-rated as far as the curves are concerned. Though it is a wonderful ride it is not "The Dragon". Arkansas has many great rides but none as legendary as the Real Dragon.
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Reviewed by Guest on April 29, 2011 (1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Janette High
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: I rode 123 from Western Grove south to Lamar yesterday with a couple other bikes. It was a great ride and the hair pin turns on Mt. Judea was definitely not for beginners. I enjoyed the entire ride. Watch the gravel in some of the corners as it was bad in a few places yesterday after the bad storms. Beautiful ride from beginning to end.
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Reviewed by Guest on October 25, 2010 (1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Paul Cobb
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: OK, I've ridden the Dragon at Deal's Gap a few times so was a little skeptical about the "Arkansas Dragon" but I was wrong. We took 123 from Clarksville to Mt. Judea and make no mistake this is a highly technical non-stop trill ride. Curves get tighter the farther North you go. Technique becomes important as one of our riders overheated his rear brakes and necessitated an unscheduled stop. Don't attempt without a full tank of gas as options are very limited.
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Reviewed by Guest on August 9, 2010 (1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Bruce Hartman
motorcycle_year: 2005
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: The wife and I enjoyed this route and had a wonderful time. There was "no" traffic and the hair pin turns and switch backs were great. It was 100 degrees when we made this trip so we passed on the southern portion of 123 but will catch it next time through.
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Reviewed by Guest on July 26, 2010 (1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Cheryl
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Beautiful ride. Loved the curves and the elk crossing signs. You can't go wrong riding anywhere in the Ozarks. I actually enjoyed south 123 from Pelsor to Hagarville more for the scenery, and most of all, NO traffic. We were literally the only vehicles on the road. Truly amazing country.
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Reviewed by Guest on July 26, 2010 (1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Cheryl
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Beautiful ride. Loved the curves and the elk crossing signs. You can't go wrong riding anywhere in the Ozarks.
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Reviewed by Guest on March 22, 2011 (0 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: David
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Suzuki
motorcycle_type: Sport
Comment: I took a ride up the Dragon on March 12, 2011. This was probably my third time on this road. Unfortunately, The Dragon bit me this time. I didn't respect it and I ended up going wide on one of the curves. But, when I am able to physically and mentally get back on my bike, I will definately go back and complete this ride. This is a great road to ride and I love it. Do your
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Reviewed by Guest on October 25, 2010 (0 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Mike
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: Definately better than riding the Tail of the Dragon. Started from the North and took it south and the Hair pin turns were thrilling to start the ride and it just continued the keep the thrills coming as you just going into turn after turn. The scenery was great as we did it in October and the colors were starting to pop. Would definetly recommend this ride.
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Reviewed by Guest on October 7, 2010 (0 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: dwight
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: We had six in our group, clearly enjoyed the curves and the steep roads. We have ridden the Deals Gap Tail of the Dragon and this is just as good of a ride, would highly recommened to anyone. This is not for beginners and speed demons. Very beautiful country, we will be back in the near future. safe riding to everyone.....
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Reviewed by Guest on June 28, 2010 (0 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Eddie
motorcycle_year: 2007
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: Just rode 123 with my wife she hollerd all the way more than the other dragon great rode
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Reviewed by Guest on May 17, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Wabet
motorcycle_year: 2007
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: Make sure you stop in Mt. Judea at the Cafe and get a piece of penutbutter Pie. Rd. was great, ben riding it since the 70's and it is in great shape now. try 23 to 103 nd come out in Clarksville.
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Reviewed by Guest on May 11, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Rick Reisner
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: This is a great road. One of the best I have been on. Has everything from great scenery, tight hairpin corners to nice sweeping corners. Don't forget to add the Southern leg of Hwy 123 as it is very awesome ride as well.
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Reviewed by Guest on May 11, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Rick Reisner
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: This is a great route. Has everything from great scenery, tight hairpin corners to nice sweeping corners. Don't forget to add the Southern leg of Hwy 123 as it is very awesome ride as well.
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Reviewed by Guest on October 25, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: bobrobert
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: the 5 miles of hairpins almost makes you forget the remainder of this most excellent road...
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Reviewed by Guest on September 18, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Jim Snyder
motorcycle_year: 2002
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: We just rode Ar. 123 on sept 12th. Awesome road, and the curves are great. Road surface is in good shape, and I don't have any "chicken strips" left on the rear tire.
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Reviewed by Guest on September 8, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Katana rider
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Suzuki
motorcycle_type: Sport
Comment: This is a great ride.Starting from the Lurton side, The curves come one right after another as gentle sweepers. and great views off the side if you dare to look. As you get to the other end of road, The curves get very sharp and steep. Really fun ride. but watch for some loose gravel. On one corner especially, after a hard rain the dirt and gravel had washed all the way across the road. No traffic on the day I was there except for other bikes.
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Reviewed by Guest on August 8, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: DonnieJoe
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: This is a terrible ride. Don't bother. (I want to keep this one for myself and keep you out of state folks away. It's easily one of the best rides in the country)
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