Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Bad Day on the Road

It started off a beatiful day in western PA, a friend that I ride with talked me into going to a HD open house. So, we rode over (it's hard to fit in with these crowds sometimes) grabbed something to eat and drank a beer, hung around for a little while then took off to head back home. We rode a nice country back road instead of taking the 4 lane. He was in front of me going about 50 mph and I seen a deer running right out on the road, he didn't and before I knew it he hit the deer and pushed it down the road for about 20-25 yards then the bike went down he tumbled and slid down the road, his bike somehow righted itself back up and continued down the road another 30-40 yards before smashing into the guard rails. I came to an imediate stop and jumped off my bike before the kickstand was all the way down and (bike fell over) I was running to check on my buddy. He was unconscious for 45-60 seconds then came to. I tried to get him to lay still but he sat up for a bit then stood. He fared better than what I ever thought he would. He was wearing jeans a leather jacket and helmet (good thing, Helmet was all scratched up). His face was cut up, broken hand and abraisions to his legs and body. They life flighted him to the hospital because he was unconscious for a bit. I just got updated and he will be OK they are sending him home tomorrow.

Well it's good to know that he will be OK, but it shook me up a bit. That is always my fear, not hitting a car or anything but a deer or other animal running into my path, and I am normally riding at speed. It will make me think for a while, I am sure.

Now I have another problem, when my bike fell over it broke my left mirror, (good reason to get new ones) bent my shifter a little, (I will try straightening) and I checked the brakes they seemed OK until I was going down the road and they started fading more and more every time I hit them. After about six depressions of the brake pedal all rear brakes were gone. So I am going out now and try to bleed them. I have the new bleeders from brent and this is as good a time to try them out. Well I will give updates on Brakes and buddies situation.

So if you are out watch out for the deer!!!

Hi.....That's some unlucky sh*t my friend, I hope your mate is okay, shame about both bike getting it !!!

I got a stock LH mirror if you want it.

It's yours FOC, no probs.

let me know if you want it

Sorry to hear about your bud Ron, but also glad to hear you are ok. Ride safe, Bambi is out to get us this time of year.

That sucks. Good to hear you're ok. The shifter ought to bend fairly easy. I did the brake lever with two cresent wrenches. One on the lever, the other used to turn the wrench. Good as new now. Keep your eyes peeled guys - Thos damned forest rats are everywhere.

Another good accident in that all will heal and be okay.

Sorry to hear about your friend.

Yes another good accident.
I wish the best for your friend

Glad your friend will be ok. I know from experience that it is impossible to see deer before they jump out in front of you. They are the most unpredictable critters on the face of the earth! Ride safe in Bambiland!

Post deleted by Grump

Glad eveyone is OK. Could have been worse.

Deer talk, from your host, Mr. Obvious -

They love to feed & move at dawn & dusk.

They're social beasts. When you see one, there's usually another one (or three) more behind the first.

They often double back when crossing the road. When startled, apparently they think it's safer where they came from?

Watch for openings in the fence and gaurdrail. They too like the path of least resistance.

All exageration aside, living in corn country I've hit at least 10 or 12 deer over the last 30 years, and one on a bike. That was a very close call, but I stayed up only through the mercy of an adrenalin induced death grip.

Ronal,

Glad to hear your friend will be okay.

Re: Your rear brakes...
I don't know what year BA you own, but it sounds as if you may have one of the first years(2002) they hit the market. A couple of years ago, there was a recall to move the rear brake fluid resevoir up higher(more towards the horn), so in case of a tip-over, the brake master-cylinder would not be starved and thus quit working.

You may want to look into this matter.

Dwight

Glad to hear it wasn't worse. Combine hormonally brain damaged deer with the deeper shadows and faded vegetation. Fall is the best time to ride, right next to spring and summer. I never could get the order right? Gear up, be carefull. If your little voice says "Maybe I should slow down through here", listen to it.

JH