doug5551
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2007
- Messages
- 483
- Reaction score
- 102
Date: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Time: 1 pm in the afternoon
Place: Just above Angeles Oaks, on Highway 38, half way between Big Bear, CA and Redlands, CA.
Description: I am travelling about 35 mph through the twisties on a bright, warm, clear day. A perfect day to be riding. That is until I turn the corner and see a 130 lb deer facing me in the oncoming lane. I automatically roll off the throttle, instinctively, without thinking, and try to grab the front brake. The deer chooses to jump in front of me, heading to my right, and I hit the deer broadside. I distinctly remember hitting the deer and seeing my FJR falling towards the ground in a low side, as the impact from the deer raises my front tire and throws me down. My eyes can't believe what they are seeing.
Next thing I know, I am coming to a stop in the dirt on the other side of the road. I don't seem to be hurt, and my first thoughts are then about my bike, which came to a rest on its left side, in the oncoming lane. Fortunately, a County of San Bernardino employee was following me in a truck, and sees everything, and blocks traffic with his truck. A Big Bear firefighter was coming uphill, and blocks traffic in that lane. I take off my helmet and gloves, and walk over to my bike. The two guys help me lift my bike up, and I start it up and ride it to a turn out maybe 50 feet away. The county employee stays with me for 10 minutes as I survey the bike and drink a vitamin water he graciously gives me. Bike seems to be in good shape. He volunteers to follow me down the hill to Redlands, to make sure I am OK and the bike is fine.
I then ride to Kaitsdad's house, where I was heading anyway. I arrive 15 minutes later than I had planned, and he was already getting concerned. We go over the bike very carefully, and then I get to have a dinner with his family of the best corned beef and cabbage I have had in 20 years. I am sure it is much better than the food at the emergency room.
Gear: I was wearing my Shoei X-11 helmet, 1 piece Aerostich Roadcrafter with all pads and back protector, Held Steve gloves and Sidi Typhoon boots. When the fireman asked me if I was hurt, I said look at what I am wearing....I have been waiting for this for 130,000 miles (60K on my 2000 Honda VFR800 and 70K on my FJR). When I started riding, I made a commitment to myself to be ATGATT, and it sure paid off on this day. The only place I felt anything was my shoulder, which had an impact on the ground where I hit. It hurt a tiny amount for about 24 hours.
Photos:
Nylon screw in windshield, which broke away as it was supposed to. USE THESE:
Deer hair on front fork screw:
Sliders did their job. USE THESE:
Various scrapes on Soltek Fuegos, Hand Guards, stator cover, and saddle bags:
Wild Bill Highway peg took a beating:
Windshield was cracked a little bit, and I broke my Gen 2 W windshield piece:
Gear...boots and tiny scrape on stich:
Conclusions: Wear your gear ALWAYS and get sliders as soon as you get your bike off the lot. Also, try not to be going too fast when you hit your deer. I am very fortunate and lucky.
Time: 1 pm in the afternoon
Place: Just above Angeles Oaks, on Highway 38, half way between Big Bear, CA and Redlands, CA.
Description: I am travelling about 35 mph through the twisties on a bright, warm, clear day. A perfect day to be riding. That is until I turn the corner and see a 130 lb deer facing me in the oncoming lane. I automatically roll off the throttle, instinctively, without thinking, and try to grab the front brake. The deer chooses to jump in front of me, heading to my right, and I hit the deer broadside. I distinctly remember hitting the deer and seeing my FJR falling towards the ground in a low side, as the impact from the deer raises my front tire and throws me down. My eyes can't believe what they are seeing.
Next thing I know, I am coming to a stop in the dirt on the other side of the road. I don't seem to be hurt, and my first thoughts are then about my bike, which came to a rest on its left side, in the oncoming lane. Fortunately, a County of San Bernardino employee was following me in a truck, and sees everything, and blocks traffic with his truck. A Big Bear firefighter was coming uphill, and blocks traffic in that lane. I take off my helmet and gloves, and walk over to my bike. The two guys help me lift my bike up, and I start it up and ride it to a turn out maybe 50 feet away. The county employee stays with me for 10 minutes as I survey the bike and drink a vitamin water he graciously gives me. Bike seems to be in good shape. He volunteers to follow me down the hill to Redlands, to make sure I am OK and the bike is fine.
I then ride to Kaitsdad's house, where I was heading anyway. I arrive 15 minutes later than I had planned, and he was already getting concerned. We go over the bike very carefully, and then I get to have a dinner with his family of the best corned beef and cabbage I have had in 20 years. I am sure it is much better than the food at the emergency room.
Gear: I was wearing my Shoei X-11 helmet, 1 piece Aerostich Roadcrafter with all pads and back protector, Held Steve gloves and Sidi Typhoon boots. When the fireman asked me if I was hurt, I said look at what I am wearing....I have been waiting for this for 130,000 miles (60K on my 2000 Honda VFR800 and 70K on my FJR). When I started riding, I made a commitment to myself to be ATGATT, and it sure paid off on this day. The only place I felt anything was my shoulder, which had an impact on the ground where I hit. It hurt a tiny amount for about 24 hours.
Photos:
Nylon screw in windshield, which broke away as it was supposed to. USE THESE:
Deer hair on front fork screw:
Sliders did their job. USE THESE:
Various scrapes on Soltek Fuegos, Hand Guards, stator cover, and saddle bags:
Wild Bill Highway peg took a beating:
Windshield was cracked a little bit, and I broke my Gen 2 W windshield piece:
Gear...boots and tiny scrape on stich:
Conclusions: Wear your gear ALWAYS and get sliders as soon as you get your bike off the lot. Also, try not to be going too fast when you hit your deer. I am very fortunate and lucky.
Or is it that subconsciously you were thinking about dinner?
