Stupid, stupid, stupid . . .

[jbuzbee]

Coming home last night from a weekend with friends in North Florida I was heading down US 41 between Williston and Dunnellon at dusk - in excess of 60 mph. I don't want to think it but I was prolly doing 80. Well, you guessed it: hit not one but two deer. Bike split one deer in two and instantly killed the other (poor buggers).

Bike: 2004 BMW R1150R
Damage: headlight, motolight, turn signals, left side engine guard and valve cover, and front beak (bo-who - hated that thing anyway).

Gear: HJC full face helmet, alpine stars SB jacket and gloves, jeans and sneakers.

Rider: 1964 idiot
Damage: sprained right ankle, bruised left side rib cage. that's it.

These bikes are incredible. It's hard to believe there isn't more damage. I'll post pics of the carnage in the next couple of days. Bottom line I was traveling way too fast for the present conditions. Be careful out there!

[MIXR]

At least you're here to tell us about it. Sorry about the bike damage and body bruises, but it could have been far worse. Both are fixable.

I wouldn't kick yourself about the cause. We run risks every time we ride, and just factor those risks into what we wear, and how we ride. Not a lot you can do about the wildlife. If I worried about kangaroos every time I rode, I'd never get the bike out of the shed!

Get better, fix the bike, and get back on! Pleased you're relatively ok. Cheers, Mick.

[bransan]

I don't know how much deer wiegh in fla, but in northern minnesota where I live they run around150 -200# field dressed. I travel at night alot. I have been very fortunate not to have an encounter like this. One of My ridding buddies hit a deer july 4th last year and he is still limping from his leg injuries. Broke in 3 places. Oh by the by, it was 10 am when He hit it. Deer are always around just more active at night. Glad you were'nt hurt worse.

[tor1150r]

Glad you're OK, and here's to you for wearing decent gear.
As for the bike...sounds like minimal damage considering.

I haven't hit anything bigger than a raccoon so far, but deer are quite common up here as well. I'm in Toronto, and people have hit deer less than 20 minutes outside the city.

Heal quickly. You'll be on the road in no time!

[Biff's R]

Glad to hear you are ok. I am amazed that there was not more damage to your bike.

[Buckster]

Could have been worse and glad you are OK. I am sure it scared the crap out of you! I used to live in FL and the deer are way smaller than what I find in VA. But no matter where you live...the deer are unpredictable and the best thing is to brake,brake,brake. Swerving to go around is not always the best thing to do. Hope your better soon!

[riceburner]

Glad you're not too badly hurt.

Have done it mself - deer strike that is - whilst on a R1150RS Loaner!

I was lucky though - hit it smack on the head and didn't come off. (I was doing about 80 too).

[leoquattro]

Glad to hear that you had not much damageafter all!
When something like that happens here in Italy we too blame it on speed: in the sense that if you were going faster, you'd been a mile ahead when the deer crossed, so nothing would have been happening at all!

Seriously, speed is fun but is much better to be careful and enjoy a safe ride. get back riding soon!
Ciao
Leoquattro

[wncbmw]

Wow! Amazing you are OK! Killed 2 forest rats in one try! 2 less for the rest of us to deal with! They are becoming a real threat in many parts of the country.

If you had been going slower, maybe the carnage to yourself might had been worse! That would be my story!

[mnnden]

James, Good to hear you are OK, it could have been a lot worse!!!
They come out of the ditch so fast, sometimes there is not much you can do,
The population of deer in parts of MN have exploded, (my county included)
It is so bad that I rarely ride at night. Again, glad to hear you are OK, Den

[MartinW]

good that you're okay and that the bike is not too damaged.

shame about the deer but hope you managed to strap one across the pillion-seat and get it home to the freezer before it got too gamey

[sjbmw]

These subject lines give me pre-click angst.
Here is to living to tell the tale buz. Whew!

I hit a car with my R and did $2800 of "cosmetic" damage. ($160k to me.)
They are built like tanks.

I was told a deer tale, about how deer's brains cannot factor in a machine's speed when they do the zig zag to avoid predators. They perceive a vehicle as a predator, and think are moving much slower, so they overcompensate and run right into vehicles.

[cruiser]

At least you're here to tell us about it. Sorry about the bike damage and body bruises, but it could have been far worse. Both are fixable.

I echo the first sentiment but, for god's sake, it was far worse! Two beautiful wild creatures were violently killed... let's not forget that!

Wow! Amazing you are OK! Killed 2 forest rats in one try! 2 less for the rest of us to deal with! They are becoming a real threat in many parts of the country.

If you had been going slower, maybe the carnage to yourself might had been worse! That would be my story!

Disgraceful comment... I've suddenly and, I hope temporarily, got a very bad taste in my mouth with regard to this forum. And what about the threat to them from US??

James, I'm so glad you're ok and, ironically, you're the only one who's written a word of regret for the deer. You said it yourself... INAPPROPRIATE SPEED! ...a lesson we would all do well to remember.

[yjleesvrr]

cruiser - do understand that in the eastern US we are overrun by deer. Since wolves no longer inhabit this part of the country, the deer no longer have a natural predator to cull the population. So many of these creatures die of hunger in the winter due to overpopulation. A lot of them are hit and killed by cars and trucks during the winter. So quite honestly, they pose a danger to motorists and are not just "forest creatures." They walk through my backyard in the suburbs of Washington, DC almost every night.

[cruiser]

cruiser - do understand that in the eastern US we are overrun by deer. Since wolves no longer inhabit this part of the country, the deer no longer have a natural predator to cull the population. So many of these creatures die of hunger in the winter due to overpopulation. A lot of them are hit and killed by cars and trucks during the winter. So quite honestly, they pose a danger to motorists and are not just "forest creatures." They walk through my backyard in the suburbs of Washington, DC almost every night.

Yes yjleesvrr, I am aware of this serious problem - which I guess was largely brought on by human activity (territory/the wolves)? - and I fully understand that the animals need to be humanely controlled. It's simply that I was outraged and saddenned, not by the initial post, but by some of the reactions to it for which, I firmly believe, there can be no justification.

Safe riding, everone

[yjleesvrr]

It's simply that I was outraged and saddenned, not by the initial post, but by some of the reactions to it for which, I firmly believe, there can be no justification.

Safe riding, everone

I don't think you understand the sense of humor involved here, as obtuse as it may be. There are very few people in the world that appreciate wildlife as much as Americans, and we have been in the forefront of developing a scientific approach to conservation for a century now. I can tell you that I personally know one of the posters, and he lives in a part of the country that has vibrant wildlife and he appreciates them fully.

Deer are a source of worry for motorcyclists in the US, and as people are want to do we have developed a darker sense of humor regarding deer and other animals that can kill us when we encounter them on the road.

This is not to excuse the unnecessary speeding by jbuzbee, but I would find it ironic to be lectured by a German about going too fast! I bought a BMW sedan precisely because it was engineered to go on the Autobahn.

[cruiser]

It's simply that I was outraged and saddenned, not by the initial post, but by some of the reactions to it for which, I firmly believe, there can be no justification.

Safe riding, everone

I don't think you understand the sense of humor involved here, as obtuse as it may be. There are very few people in the world that appreciate wildlife as much as Americans, and we have been in the forefront of developing a scientific approach to conservation for a century now. I can tell you that I personally know one of the posters, and he lives in a part of the country that has vibrant wildlife and he appreciates them fully.

Deer are a source of worry for motorcyclists in the US, and as people are want to do we have developed a darker sense of humor regarding deer and other animals that can kill us when we encounter them on the road.

This is not to excuse the unnecessary speeding by jbuzbee, but I would find it ironic to be lectured by a German about going too fast! I bought a BMW sedan precisely because it was engineered to go on the Autobahn.

Wrong on both accounts ... I am not lecturing, merely trying to voice some compassion for the animals with which we are priveleged to share this planet

and ...I'm not German!

[yjleesvrr]

So are you merely visiting Germany? I was born in Korea, but as a person living in the US since 1974 I call myself an American. Of course, that's also because I've been a US citizen since 1980.

[wncbmw]

cruiser - I am sorry you took my remark so seriously (there was some humorous intent), however I will not retract my intent. Deer are like rats in many parts of the country precisely because we have effectively eliminated all of their predators. It makes driving or riding in some places more dangerous than just dealing with cars and the road.

And while I appreciate wildlife more than most, until you have lost a friend to a deer strike or known someone who has, you probably should not lecture me (yes, it sounded like a lecture!) .

Pardon me if I don't get all choked up.

[MartyWadd]

I ain't never hit no deer, but if I do, I hope I kill that stupid sum'bitch. That's good eatin'.