What are the chances of hitting deer on a motorcycle twice in 10 years

[RKC03]

Just this morning at 0545 a.m., on the way to work I hit a deer on my blacktop, hit it broadside, went down on my FXSTC, and skidded on my face for don't know how many feet...5 stitches in 1 inch gash, along with road rash here and there....was worried about the bike, and it seems from what I've seen....we both were lucky....in the fact it wasn't much worse....Was just wondering recently what the likelyhood I would ever hit another deer on a bike....and found too soon. The area we ride in often determines the likelyhood....and I thought my loud pipes would drive them into the woods .....     RKC03

[gabbyduffy]

                        Did you have a deer whistle? I always wondered if them things worked

[Mark222]

RKC03 - Glad that is all the more damage you took, and you can tell us about it tonight.

Where do you live where you have so many to dodge?  Here in NC I have all but given up riding in early and late light conditions.  You can count them everywhere you go.  I have only had close calls thus far, knock wood!

Since you are mostly ok, how did the bike fair?

Mark

[slo-poke 03]

I am sorry that happened to you, but to answer your question, for you, the chances seem to be  pretty good, be carefull and I hope it all works out well. I have found here in NC many of the deer react unpredictably to loud noises and such by the roads and if you see one there are more, slow down... a lot till you are past that area.

[NETacomaFatboy]

could it be the time of day you are riding?   

is it still dark out?

What I love about the group I ride with, is we pull into for the night by 5pm.  Before dark and before the animals come out...

[twincamzz]

Sorry to hear about your "run-in" with a stupid deer RKC03. I can honestly say I feel your pain man. On June 15th of this year I too hit a deer at 5:45 a.m. Was leaving my house on the way to work when the big dummy jumped right out in front of me, leaving about 6 feet to react. Don't remember the impact but apparently the bike went down off the road where the ground drops off about 4 feet. Totalled my '02 RoadGlide & left me with broken collarbone, shattered shoulder blade, 3 broken ribs, 12 staples & 4 stitches in my head. Been recovering & start physical therapy next week. Check for bike is in bank although right now that doesn't make me feel any better as I'm having trouble finding a suitable replacement. Can't even ride yet though so I suppose that doesn't really matter at this point. BTW, thinking about getting some of those deer whistles for my next ride & may even put a set of my '61 Pan, who knows ? I live in the hills of Kentucky & have to be out on the road in the early morning on my way to work. Hit another of these 4 legged pests a couple years ago  about 1/16 mile from where the latest accident happened, only that time I was lucky enough to be in my truck.
Hope you heal up well man. 

[vaughtcity]

I live in Kentucky as well. A deer jumped right in my lap on my softail 4 years ago and about did me in and another one hit me right in the side of my new road glide about a month ago but the road glide plowed right through it didn't even wobble but it did do about a $1000 in damage.

[marc]

Hit one back on the late 70's on my Honda 750, totaled it and almost totaled myself...Sold it for parts...Had several close calls over the years and will probably have several more...That is just the way it is...They are out there morning, noon and night...Pipes will not do a thing as sound travels behind you...There have been many articles on that topic...Glad your OK...Could have been worse...

[Thumper Buttercup]

Glad you came out ok, hope the bike don't take too much work.

We had a deer jump between the bike and the trailer in MN on one
trip, the bumped off the front of the trailer, I never saw her coming
they way she came in, just felt the bump and pulled over up the road,
found a little hair on the bra on the trailer but nothing else.

[Deye76]

Glad you made it through, but sorry it happened in the first place.

[hd06myway]

Well, in upstate NY, I see deer all the time, mainly early a.m.'s and early evenings, in fact I split 2 fawns last summer, didn't hit them, but they came out of no where in the woods, and were standing 20 ft in front me doing 60mph... I just ran right between them, never touched a hair... lucky me.  I've hit deer twice in one year with my car before... I think the odds are alot higher than we think, or at least the chances are higher, if not an actual collision with one.

[Sc00ter]

In 2004, my best friend riding buddy and I were riding together, a deer ran out and he hit it, killing the deer and badly injuring himself...  In 2005, one year later to the day, we were riding together, about three states over, and a deer ran out.  I hit it, killing the deer and badly injuring myself.

The upside is we were riding together, so we were able to take care of one another after each crash...

We've ridden together for about 25 years....so far just the two!   

[Bigs]

Last month when my wife and I were riding the twisties in West Virginia a doe crossed a few car lengths in front of us and looking for more I saw a small fawn coming across. Well it saw us and tried to stop but landed on his back with his legs in the air kicking and trying to get out of the way.  I wasn't sure if we would hit him or not but we missed him by about one foot. It was a interesting trip with the deer, some large birds almost flying into us and a black bear running across the road in front of us. Thank goodness the bear was quite a distance in front of us when he crossed. We'll see what the fall brings.
   Bigs

[Deye76]

Bigs, dusk in WV brings 'em out by the dozens. When I was there (SW of Parkersburg) couldn't believe how many.

[ScottFree]

                        Did you have a deer whistle? I always wondered if them things worked

I have read that deer do not hear any sounds that people can't hear (unlike dogs and teenagers, who can hear frequencies higher than most humans), so if you can't hear the deer whistle, the deer won't hear it either.

[apehair]

I kinda get preachy when the topic of motorcycle safety comes up because I got back into riding when my kids were still little, about a dozen years ago.  I suppose I'm trying to remind myself to keep my own damn rules.  So here goes some preachin'...

An awful lot of us put comfort, fashion, or fitting in with the crowd ahead of our personal safety.  Just spend a week in Sturgis during Bike Week and you'll get a good birds-eye view of that bad habit.  I understand.  I'd much rather ride that way, too.  But the risk is too high nowadays.

A few rules I follow to reduce the risk:

1.  I wear all the gear all the time.  Denim jeans don't count as gear.  A little road rash sucks, broken bones suck, but they heal.  Nerves and tendons that are ground off don't come back.  Neither do brain cells damaged in a traumatic brain injury.  I try to remember that I WILL go down.  The only question is when.  So I dress accordingly.

     Last three accidents I witnessed on the country two-lanes by my house:

     A Heritage went down at about 15-20 mph right in front of me.  Passenger's head
     hit the hardpack beside the road.  Broke open her skull and she died before the
     EMT's arrived.  No helmet, no gear, but beautifully manicured hands.

     Honda GoldWing veered into the sandy shoulder of a two lane, then veered back,
     dumped, and tumbled.  Rider's face was mangled, hands broken, body beat to
     hell.  Only gear was a half helmet. 

     Honda sportbike low-sided in tight curve a ways ahead of me.  Rider and bike
     went over the side of the mountain road.  Rider cracked his collarbone, but
     had no other injuries.  He was able to ride the bike home.  He was wearing a
     full leather suit, racing gloves, and full-face helmet.

2.  I avoid riding 2-lanes at dawn/dusk.  If I can't, I slow waaaaay down.  I put on my hazzard lights if it's close to getting dark.  My natural tendency is to hope that critters will simply avoid me, so I pretend they're playing a game of "bowling for bikers." 

3.  I practice hard breaking.  And braking and swerving.  They're perishable skills.  I also practice riding with the brakes covered. 

I'm wicked sorry you went down, but glad you and the bike are mostly OK.  I love the Softail Custom.  Here are some pics of my 09: http://vagabundo.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Lucille/14294882_zVzMpN#!i=1057585186&k=wjCuN

ape

[acbacb]

Chances are high if there are a bunch of deer around your area. It sucks but glad you are ok for the most part. You'll live and heal up nicely in due time. It could have been much worse. be thankful it wasn't.

[remmag]

one thing to do is encourage hunting, this and this alone will control population and likelyhood of a problem, too many people will not allow hunting and the population is out of control, (more deer ,mnore ptoential for accidents)

a deer has a mind of its own, ou can not control them , early mornings and dusk are peak movement times for them , but you should always be careful , again mind of their own and they will move when they want to

glad you are ok, noow go get a bow and kill some without hurting yourself

[98FXD]

 I also hit a deer about 3 weeks ago on my wifes Sporty. Slowed to 50 mph when I hit. My left knee took majority of the impact. Kept the bike up, knocked deer out cold but didnt kill it. I thought I had broken my leg but just severe bruising and nerve damage. I also thought the odds of this happening again were pretty low but now Im wondering. Here in upstate NY they live in suburbs were there is no hunting. Have gotten about 5 or 6 in various cars.
98fxd

[Sonny S.]

Glad you are ok.
Ive hit or been hit by two deer in 6 months. I also totaled a Bike in 2005.
Not going to let it stop me from riding when I want or where I want.
I'll more likely be taken out by someone talking on a cell phone or texting or a drunk driver ....and yes that includes those that drink way to much while riding motorcycles.Bar hoppers and drunks on poker runs scare me more than critters.
There is my preachin

[98FXD]

 You know you are probably right. I would rather hit a deer than a car.(preferably nothing at all)
98fxd

[garyajaz]

some years ago (in desert) was on my way to marina boat shop.
riding my sporty. came around corner and there was a wild ass/burro. he was standing in my lane. i was maybe going 85 or so .  switched lanes.  he panicked and turned and kicked.  i ducked and rode under his kicking feet.  not skill, pure luck.
when got to work changed clothes...somehow they got wet.
also at work wore shorts  and sneakers.  wear full riding gear when ridign.
critters everywhere.  a good friend died (no helmet) from head injuries after center punching a deer.
luck of the draw, but yes, gear does help.  especially a full face real helmet.

last few cars that tagged me i lived cause of gear.  course rest of body is rather damaged.

buy a hunting license and get even?

good you able to type about it

[pa_ryder04]

What are the chances of hitting 2 deer in 10 years and still able to talk about it ?

[hogpipes1]

I also hit a deer about 3 weeks ago on my wifes Sporty. Slowed to 50 mph when I hit. My left knee took majority of the impact. Kept the bike up, knocked deer out cold but didnt kill it. I thought I had broken my leg but just severe bruising and nerve damage. I also thought the odds of this happening again were pretty low but now Im wondering. Here in upstate NY they live in suburbs were there is no hunting. Have gotten about 5 or 6 in various cars.
98fxd
[              Did you have  a eng-guard on the bike ? If not would it made a diff. on your knee if one was on the bike ?

[hogpipes1]

                        Did you have a deer whistle? I always wondered if them things worked

I have read that deer do not hear any sounds that people can't hear (unlike dogs and teenagers, who can hear frequencies higher than most humans), so if you can't hear the deer whistle, the deer won't hear it either.
                                            On a deer farm they did a test on the whistle , had some air blower hooked up , every time they put the whistle in frt. of fan  big buck  got pissed and charged the fence. so could be the deer  get drawn to it if they can hear it . nothing scientific just a  simple test . Wis . DOT. deer /bike  crash report there  is a very high % you will NOT make it.

[PoorUB]

                        Did you have a deer whistle? I always wondered if them things worked

Every deer that has run out in front of me has looked right at me for a second or two, then ran right out in front of me. What good would a deer whistle do when the stupid animal looks right at me and still runs out in the road. IMO, deer have little brain capacity, they run off instinct, no thought involved. he deer might hear a whistle, but no way to rationanalize wht top do about it other the RUN, and usually in the wrong direction.

A couple years ago we were riding along, taking it easy and enjoying the scenery when we stirred up a deer about 150 feet out in the field. The deer took off in the run, going parallel to the road. As we were going maybe 40 MPH the deer was keeping up with us just fine. After about 1/8 mile the deer veered right at us onto the road. My buddy behind me hit the throttle and so did I and the deer ran within a few feet of the back of his bike. The only thing we could figure out is the deer was spooked and headed for the safety and cover of the corn field across the road and ran right for the threat at the same time.

[76shuvlinoff]

Paint the damn thing camo and dose it with buck lure, you'll never see another deer.

Seriously, glad you're ok. A few years back I could'a petted one from the seat of my bike. That same year I hit one with my daughter's car I never saw coming. I can bet if I had been on a bike for that one I either would not have lived or at the very least would not have ridden again.

[moscooter]

 
I'm a four time loser (car/truck wise) hitting deer in Nebr. New York and No. Carolina.  I now have an electronic deer whistle on my Harley,  and I try to remember to switch it on if out late or into the late Fall when they are more active.   Have not been able to validate how effective it might be,  but it makes quite a whistle sound and hopefully does the job.........Anyone have results using one

[RKC03]

am about 60% healed from my wounds...after 3days...not bad seeing how I celebrated my 56th birthday 3 days before accident....bike looks to only suffered cosmetic damage also, was a event that I will never forget. Found the young deer the next day, wasn't to big...but certainly much to big to bowl over on a fxstc, thought my louder than norm pipes may have spooked him, but a deer/turkey/etc. have a mind (small they may be) and their behavior cannot be always guessed right. I encourage gun ownership, as it is a constitutional right....and much cheaper to kill deer....and whole lot painful...both on the hunter...and the deer.  RKC03