Close call.....too close

[Oldodge]

I have been riding a long time. I have learned a few things the hard way and I have done some stupid stuff to learn some things the hard way. Here in my neck of the woods I know that the deer start to rut in late October and early November. The fresh carcasses along the highways and the gleam in the eyes of my friends who hunt confirm that. Two weeks ago about a mile from home I came across a buck and a doe on a secondary road. The doe was leading and the buck was trailing her closely and she seemed annoyed. She walked off the road as I approached, he followed in lock step, another confirmation that stupid season for bucks has arrived. I made a mental note "time to limit riding the RSV to perfect condition riding". To me that means riding in beautiful weather when the sun is high in the sky. I did just that for a week. Then Ma Nature threw a warm streak at us this week with lows in the upper 30's and highs in the 70's. I decided I would ride to work all week because I love to ride on cold mornings with warm afternoons, I leave home at 5am and get home about 4:30 pm. It is 44 miles each way with a short gravel covered township road, 20 miles of twisty mountain two lane, about 20 miles of interstate and a couple miles of urban roadway in the morning. In the afternoon I bypass the interstate and use the valley road, two lane but fairly straight. Monday thru Wednesday were perfect. I was on high alert for whitetails, and saw some, but no issues. I did hit a grey squirrel with my left floorboard Tuesday when he zigged as I zagged coming up the mountain. Thursday I got to work with no issues it was a nice ride. On the way home the sun was posing a problem, even with darkened glasses, a drop down shield and tape on my shield acting as a visor. It was flashing thru the trees like a strobe light as I descended to an intersection at the foot of my mountain road about two miles from home. There was some activity from a car and truck at the intersection that had my attention. As I passed the intersection at 55 mph or so something in my peripheral vision caught my eye. It was two deer at full speed in the trees on a hillside to my right just ahead of me. We were on a collision course, the next few seconds I couldn't tell in a five minute story. So much happening in what seems like slow motion. The howling rear tire, the bike starting to come around, the modulating of the somewhat worthless rear brake in a panic stop, etc etc. I was afraid there may be more than two deer but could not look and could do nothing if there was. It took all I had to try to miss the two I saw. The first one cleared a about 20 feet and I was still hard on the binders. The second one cleared at less than an estimated two feet amid the smell of burnt rubber and the sound of its hooves clacking on the pavement. Yes it was close enough to hear its hooves, see its nostrils flare and look it in the eye. Fortunately there was not another one, the pickup behind me was paying attention and the opposing traffic got stopped. I got down to an estimated 15 to 20 mph before they cleared and I accelerated away. Lesson learned, again, trust your instincts, I know it is risky to ride at those hours of the day this time of year and I accepted that risk, maybe not next time though. I have been close to my number one fear on a motorcycle of hitting a deer before, but never this close in 35 years. Friday I awoke to a light drizzle, had the road been wet the day before I would have been in bigger trouble. I drove the car to work, hated it, always do. Maybe after hunting season in December, after the rut, we will get some nice weather to ride to work if the roads don't get salted first. Come on spring! This is the second time I locked the rear on this bike. First time involved turkeys and was not such a big deal or close call. The good news is the bike responded great to correction and I believe the majority of stopping power is up front, but a locked rear is just something else to deal with in a true panic stop and I really don't need something else to do just then. I know it is a trait of the machine and have it noted, but it still scared the hell out of me. Be mindful and be careful out there friends!

[ragtop69gs01]

I'm happy it worked out for you. Sometimes even high alert is not enough! When we hit thev deer in Red Lodge a few years ago we knew they would be out, it was 7:30PM sun setting as we headed north on 212, one hundred yards ahead we see two deer on the left so I slow down to about 10 mph , one deer crossed about 50ft ahead the other stayed as we passed, I was looking left over my shoulder, the doe 20 ft behind us when it starts running at us, it cut across in front of us ! Back on the binders I take evasive action and hit it in the hind quarter sending it a$$ over tea kettle. You just never know what they will do.

 

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[todd493]

I Lived in a Deer rich area for years. I hit one on My Vulcan Mean streak,before I adopted the same policy as you. Sounds like your Bike handling skills were awesome! Hindsight without bandages is a good thing.

[eagleeye]

Glad that worked out for the better for you. There are quite a few dead deer around here right now and they are not small. Scary time to be out there, but I just bought a new bike and I will take it out, but I'll choose very carefully where and when.

This morning I saw a really nice buck, dead on the shoulder, but had someplace to be. When I returned, I stopped and someone had broken the antlers off at the head.

[Sailor]

We have a lot of deer here. I find that when there is light and shadow where I am riding giving a strobe effect using yellow glasses help. They cut the glare but you can still see in the shadow. Still waiting for someone to come up with a little gizmo that makes a sound like a hungry cougar.

[XV1100SE]

Glad you came thru unscathed.

[skydoc_17]

Hey Tim,

Very Glad to hear that you lived to tell the tale! I live in central Pa. myself, and my wife calls the deer "field rats" because we too see them on the side of the road all the time. I can't even begin to offer any advise about when to ride, and when NOT to ride, but I can say that Kevlar brake pads on that rear caliper will practically eliminate that rear lock up issue. Something to think about during the off season, pretty easy install, well worth the time, and peace of mind. If you have questions about the pads PM me.

Again, Dam Glad you're OK.

Earl