Hit a deer this morning.

[Fred W]

+1 on the congrats. As another Bambi strike survivor I would say that you are spot on with your analysis. In my case I didn't even have the time to consider swerving as the deer came out of e dark woods and I didn't see him until a fraction of a second before the strike. Not swerving allows one to maintain the bike upright, and that is the primary goal.

So after the hit, did you experience the euphoria of survival like I did? It went through stages... First was anger at the stupid Bambi for messing up my bike (mine was 1600 in repairs), but right after that was a feeling of elation that was completely ironic and out of place.

If someone could just bottle that stuff they'd make millions

 

[HotRodZilla]

Hey Fred, That was the adrenalin dump which hits quick in "Oh ****!" moments. You felt good cuz you coulda jumped off the bike and run a mile.

 

[gixxerjasen]

Seems like some of you guys should get together with Canyon Cages and develop a front cage for the bike!

I've only had one or two run ins with deer and was very nervous each time, but neither was really close or at speed. I can't imagine running through one. That's gotta be a nasty smell.

Honestly Mr Insurance agent guy, this is either my **** or the deer's **** on my gear, I'm not really sure...will you cover it?

 

[rogdeb]

Wow glad you came out of that deer hit ok, the bike can be replaced and also your underwear.

+1

+2 -- good outcome considering ...

 

[Dodahdude]

+1 on the congrats. As another Bambi strike survivor I would say that you are spot on with your analysis. In my case I didn't even have the time to consider swerving as the deer came out of e dark woods and I didn't see him until a fraction of a second before the strike. Not swerving allows one to maintain the bike upright, and that is the primary goal. So after the hit, did you experience the euphoria of survival like I did? It went through stages... First was anger at the stupid Bambi for messing up my bike (mine was 1600 in repairs), but right after that was a feeling of elation that was completely ironic and out of place. If someone could just bottle that stuff they'd make millions

Thanks Fred. consideing I had just checked my speed and was doing 70 miles per hour, I thank God for protecting me. With my run of bad luck latetly........ This was all I needed. I really don't thik there is time to "Consider" anything. It has got to be part of you're subconcious.

As far as my emotions, I remember sceaming at the damn thing just before I hit him, and after, and during the turn around, and stopping to scream at him again, and parking the bike so I could kick the **** out of him... You see I fell at work and broke my leg in five placed a year ago next week! But the good news is the wife did well after I told her about the deer. The doctor said I should heal from her shoving my bike up my a** in about two weeks.

As far as the cost, Ithink with doing the work myself it will be about $2,500 in parts. The bike Blue Books at high around $5,200'ish. So I'm not sure if I should fix it out of my pocket or let the insurance company total it. What say you.........

 

[gixxerjasen]

I say go the easy route. Have the insurance total it and then get this much prettier model.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/153467-2005-fjr-1300abs-for-sale-5300/

Way easier and then you don't own a wrecked bike.

 

[Fred W]

A total may be the way to go, especially if you can strip and sell and farkles you have on it.

 

[Dodahdude]

Is it possible to buy the bike back from the insurance company? How do I get around a salvage title?

 

[gixxerjasen]

A total may be the way to go, especially if you can strip and sell and farkles you have on it.

Or move them to the new bike!!!

 

[Intech]

Is it possible to buy the bike back from the insurance company? How do I get around a salvage title?

This subject has been talked about a lot on this forum, unfortuneately. It depnds on your state. Usually if the damage exceeds a certain percentage of the value of the bike salvage title is automatic, but it varies from state tot state. I agree with Jason. Let them total it. You might be pleasantly surprised what they give you for it. A know a certain guy from TN that lowsided his last year and it was totaled. As soon as he found out what insurance was going to give him for it his mind was made up. His was a Gen 1 also.

 

[gixxerjasen]

And do some reading on how to negotiate the claim (yes, it IS negotiable.) Request the report that shows the comparables they are using to determine the payout. Often times they don't have comparables on there that follow the rules, such as being in your same market, etc. One of the comparables on my report showed a bike for sale with no mileage listed. I pointed out that it could have 1000 miles on it or 100,000 miles. As we didn't know it couldn't be used for comparison of value and was stricken from the report. Don't take their first offer, negotiate even just a little bit, and then go from there.

 

[BkerChuck]

Congrats on living to tell the tale. As mentioned by others the bike can be replaced. I hit one on my way home form a doctors appointment where I learned I had a hernia. Only about 300 yards from my house too! I was on a 95 Buell at the time and did about 2800 in damage. Deer survived long enough to crawl over a guardrail and into the woods near the road. I eventually got the bike repaired and still ride it. Keep us posted on how you make out with your insurance.

 

[DennisJ]

Deer were on my mind almost continually last Saturday when I was headed up to Monroe, WA via Preston/Fall City/Duvall for the '09's 3 year/20000 mile check. I finally had to convince myselt that at around 45mph I might have a chance of surviving before I started to enjoy the mid-morning ride. Lots more traffic on the way back from Monroe to Mercer Island on the same route and early afternoon so I didn't worry as much.

 

[Dodahdude]

Deer were on my mind almost continually last Saturday when I was headed up to Monroe, WA via Preston/Fall City/Duvall for the '09's 3 year/20000 mile check. I finally had to convince myselt that at around 45mph I might have a chance of surviving before I started to enjoy the mid-morning ride. Lots more traffic on the way back from Monroe to Mercer Island on the same route and early afternoon so I didn't worry as much.

That's a nice ride. We lived in Mukilteo for two years. I remember the highway accident total for the month north of Monroe. I worked for some large aircraft company there. Can't remember the name.