Forest Rat Dead, Bike Dead, Rider OK

[dcarver]

Left the house early, 0630, to meet other riders in Arroyo Grande at 0730, on an intercept mission to meet Barabus and the So Cal gang on the Cierro Noestre ride. The morning dawned beautiful with the hope and promise of a great day.

When Bambi decided to impede my path of forward progression.

Background info... Early morning light, on schedule, not in a hurry. Same road I commute on 4x week, never seen deer, ever, in that location. Honestly, can't say if Bambi was bounding or stationary, but the moment of realization that impact was certain was instantaneous. Applied front and rear brakes to ABS lock up, then realized the hit was going to happen.

First thought - and a direct quote - 'this is going to fucking hurt', 'I'm going over the top, glad I have all my gear on'.

Immediately followed by 'hit it square'

Followed by 'Don't hit with the front end compressed'...

So I released all brakes and just fucking t-boned Bambi, right in her mid-section.

Her hind legs straddled the left, the front legs the right of the bike. The front fender slid under the belly and lifted her up, off the ground, where Bambi, bike and me traveled for over 500? 800? feet before she slid off to the left, catching my leg and foot as she went by.

I took a quick look and saw Bambi still along for the ride then realized that I wasn't 'riding the bike' and looked up to the road.. and road the bike. It was sketchy, but I was on asphalt, the bike was upright.

I recall thinking 'I can't believe I'm still upright' immediately followed by 'ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike, ride the bike as the FJR disintegrated and flew by to left, right, and over me in slow motion.

Then, it was just over. Simply, over. I didn't crash, didn't fall, just stopped. Just stopped. The bike was still running, but nothing looked the same. Did a U turn, heard plastic crunching, got to a safe spot, killed the ignition and just, well, just looked at the carnage.

A nice guy on the way to his job at DeCou Lumber stopped, about 1 or 2 minutes later, asked if I was OK -- he couldn't believe his eyes.. a rider up, walking around a bike decimated, and Bambi dead. Plastic and FJR parts all over the road...

Dead Bambi

Mr. DeCou lumber and I kicked FJR parts off the road to prevent someone else from problems, then I RODE the wounded FJR home, approximately 5 miles back to the house. Got the truck, returned to the scene for more fotos and to pick up parts..

Dead fucking Bambi

The dogs loved the new eu de deer bambi scent..

Dead FJR

Dead deer in FJR headlights look....

Moral of the story - I don't know if there is one.

I will say that posts on this forum were very beneficial to me during this crisis. The phrase 'ride the bike, ride the bike' just kept echoing in my ears over the 6 eternities this event occurred. I never gave up, never closed my eyes, kept my focus on coming to a safe stop. Somewhere, I had read that hitting a deer with the front end compressed could lead to lifting the deer over the top and taking out the rider. Not sure if that's a true fact.. but it's amazing how many thoughts you can process in a very short period of time while in a crisis situation.

Walked away

 

[Fencer]

Good for you, Carver.

Get on the list for a black one now.

Ari, you had dibs on the next feej carcass

 

[madmike2]

[SIZE=18pt]Dayang!!![/SIZE]

Don, I'm glad you are okay, or at least you will be once your sphincter completely un-puckers. Holey Moley, that could have been very serious...uhm...to your personhood. The bike is parts and parts can be purchased and replaced. Once you've survived such an encounter there aren't many words we can give you except.....I'm very glad you are here to tell us about it.

Now, are you going to file and insurance claim? Or are you go8ing to call University Motors and get prices on all that must be R & R'd? I mean, you were looking for a Winter project, weren't you?

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Dcarver,

Wow, glad you are alright and kept it upright. It is a surreal experience and happens so fast.

If you don't mind me asking, how fast were you going?

I wish your bike a quick recovery... at least your ignition switch was still working.

 

[CAJW]

Outstanding result for you & Bambi, sorry to see the FJR has been customized. Main thing is you're ok and one less freaking forest rat to deal with. I've had friends come away with a lot less bike damage, but more to them personally and some still "taint" right after their encounter. Glad you fared well on this one.

 

[kaitsdad]

Don, [SIZE=18pt]HOLY CRAP !![/SIZE]

I am SICK about this !!

I am so glad you are ok - glad you stayed on the bike, glad you remembered to think -

jeeezzzzz............

so very glad you are ok ...

 

[Niehart]

:goodon, glad your OK and your thought process was working over time. As saying goes, "Bike's replaceable, your not!".

 

[Last Chance]

Glad you are ok.....But those pictures give a whole new meaning to the words, "crumple zone"! :blink: :dribble:

LC

 

[Bike Effects]

Don, you done good under the circumstances. I'm glad your OK and wish you well with the repairs.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Those pictures are beyond amazing!!!! There is no way that I would have believed that bike could have been ridden five miles after the impact. And to hear that you kept it upright and didn't get hurt????? I'd call you a liar but you're here, posting the evidence.

The last pic, of the deer in the headlights had me laughing out loud. I even fetched my son to look at the images. That'll teach Bambi to mess with an FJR and an indestructible pilot.

Seriously though, it's a great relief to know that you're OK. The bike will mend, or perhaps turn into a shiny new black one?

Jill

 

[Old Michael]

Holy shit! Was this your first deer strike? Any close calls before this? When you finally stopped, how far from the deer?

And.....you gotta love dogs and their noses.

 

[Old Michael]

And when you shut it down, did the windscreen return to its down position?

 

[Toecutter]

Guess you won't be in such a hurry for those brackets, yeah?

Good on ya for keepin' yer head in the game. When I hit that rabbit, it drove home just how hard critters really are at speeds "just slightly faster than the flow of traffic". I don't want to ever hit anything bigger. That doe looks pretty big. Good thing the gyros worked.

Glad you're uninjured!

 

[Low Level FJR Pilot]

Glad to hear you are okay and thanks for posting. It is reading the experiences of those who have experienced something like this that help those of us who haven't survive if we should go through it. Heavy dose of guardian angel there too. Keep us posted on what the insurance company has to say. :huh:

 

[DocDanDC]

I think you should be given on official deer strike indicator at the bottom of your signature line, next to the WFO indicators and crash club.

I'll bet your decision to let off the brakes make all the difference. RIDE THE BIKE, JUST RIDE THE BIKE!

 

[James Burleigh]

Hi, Don. Wow! What an amazing accident, and how fortunate that you brought the bike to a stop and then home. It reminds me of those stories you read about the B-17 in WW-II that got all blown up by flack and shit but still made it home with the crew intact. Sorry about your bike. Having just come back from Yosemite Deer Sanctuary, I had forest rats in the back of my mind the whole time, feeling frankly helpless knowing that they suddenly just appear out of nowhere and BAM!

Does this mean we can't crash at your place after all?

Jb

 

[MrWizard]

Don, [SIZE=18pt]HOLY CRAP !![/SIZE]
I am SICK about this !!

I am so glad you are ok - glad you stayed on the bike, glad you remembered to think -

jeeezzzzz............

so very glad you are ok ...

Don, +1

Sorry about your ride but really glad to see you came out OK.

Sounds like you did everything right with best possible results under the circumstances.

Rob

 

[HIGHLANDER]

Well done Don ! Whatasave !! THANKS FOR KILLING ONE OF THE ROAD RATS FOR US !

Really glad you are OK and there's no damage to you !! Unbelievable pics of the FJR !

 

[03silverbullet]

GOD DAMN DON!

Glad your OK- Sounds like you did everything right and had a little luck on your side too.

I think your bike is fixable. Think the insurance co. will total it?