Triumphrat

Otrorob · 10-03-2005, 06:39 AM

I know where to find some fresh road kill since I hit a deer with my TBS on my way to work this morning. Fortunately I was riding cautiously since I know that the area is frequently traveled by deer and was only going about 30mph when I saw the first one (and it's never the first one you need to worry about) in the road. I slowed quickly, but knew I would not have time to stop before the second deer was in my path.

I struck the deer in the hips or rear legs but by God' grace I was able to keep the bike upright after the impact and stop safely. Unfortunately in keeping the bike upright I jammed my foot on the ground and twisted my knee, which is now swollen despite the ice on it.

Though it was difficult to tell in the dark, it appears that the TBS suffered no damage. I rode it, through the pain in my knee, the three miles back home and it handle and stopped fine. (I'll probably still bring it by the shop for a check.)

So, it seems that the deer got the worst of it this time.

Rob

[ This message was edited by: Otrorob on 2005-10-03 18:26 ]

bobshields55 · 10-03-2005, 06:42 AM

Rob

That was so smart of you to ride slow with care in that area.
Glad you kept the bike up, the knee will heal. Could have been so much worse. :-D :-D

suemchenry · 10-03-2005, 06:43 AM

I'm so sorry that happened to you, and to the deer. Thanks to God, indeed, that you were able to keep yourself upright. This is definitely the time of year to watch out. They're in their "rut," (or will be very soon), so they're extremely active, and will "pop" out of the woods without notice. Be very watchful, everybody.

HeyMan · 10-03-2005, 06:51 AM

Sorry about that! Hope you heal up quickly. We have so many deer in Georgia that most people consider them a pest.

jimmyj900 · 10-03-2005, 10:41 AM

Glad to hear you stayed upright, but sorry about the knee. Keep the ice pack on and get yourself some glucosamine/MSM from the local Walgreens -- that will help with the knee and speed healing a trifle.

Where on the bike was the impact?

Jim

b2brand · 10-03-2005, 04:44 PM

Otrorob
can appreciate what you went thru. i ride about 35 miles one way on the commute and out here, there are more deer than potholes. i've been luck and brushed two, but never made solid contact. heal up.

fbird · 10-03-2005, 06:11 PM

Glad you made it out ok. I'm alway riding around late at night and am always paranoid about the deer and other little furry animals running out into the road. Hope the knee heals quickly.

Otrorob · 10-03-2005, 07:24 PM

Thanks for the well wishes. The x-rays have shown that there are no breaks, but my knee is still swollen and too sore to bear my weight. I have an appointment with an orthopedist tomorrow to learn the extent of the damage.

As for the bike, well it's darn incredible. When I got a look in the light it appears the deer struck the front wheel hard enough to wedge pieces of its hair between the tire and rim (see photo). The left reflector was bent back and easily straightened and there appears to be no other damage.

My wife and I drove by the scene in the afternoon and the deer was gone. Either someone cleaned it up, or the deer is somewhere experiencing leg pain similar to me.

Rob

aeycue · 10-06-2005, 11:28 PM

I hit a deer on my suzuki 550 4cylinder back when I had been riding for just under a year... 1997 I think...
It was a doe, I was going about 60mph on a 2 lane tar road and it ran into me more than I ran into it.
Its head crashed into the left side of my front wheel, its body twisted around until it was parallel with my bike (I could feel it's body against my hip, and it bruised up there just a little bit), and it then flipped around behind me and landed in the ditch on my right side. I was with two other guys and they were both behind me and saw the whole thing.
I, too, managed to keep the bike upright, and the only damage was a broken spark plug wire, bent highway bars, and a small dent in my fender.. (also a little bit of deer blood there)

talk about feeling lucky.. I still want to put a deer with an 'X' over it on my helmet, but that might be just asking for it.. :wink: