Kawasaki Concours Forum
Riding => Rides and Stories => Topic started by: bigdaddyjob on June 15, 2012, 09:24:44 AM
-
Anyway, as you can expect from the title, I have collided with a deer on my poor 2011. I was on the interstate headed to work and it was a beautiful morning. 20mph wind at my back, 50-60mpg reading on the LCD, and the sun was just high enough that my tinted visor was giving me perfect vision.
It was a full size doe that came out of the tall grass in the median. The gentleman that stopped to make sure I was alright said that he didnt see the deer until it was right next to me, so that makes me feel a bit better that I didn't see it either. Anyway, as you can tell from the picture, the head hit the corner of my headlight and the body swung around and hit the bike. I kept the bike up, and was able to get it safely off the road. The deer then swung around behind me (maybe already dead, maybe not) and was then hit by a semi... red jello.
Tore basically the entire left side off the bike. The front air-intake as you can see is gone, the headlight is busted, footpeg/bracket/shifter linkage are all tore off. The front blinker is sitting just behind the cylinders, and the tail section is also busted up. There is some stress cracking on the right side of the bike as well, but nothing missing. I am fine, bruised leg, bruised tibia/fibula, brused ego, but I am alive and writing this, so its not all bad.
I do have some questions for you guys, what kinda damage do you think Im looking at (cost wise), the bike has full insurance and will be completely fixed, but do you all think Ive got totaled numbers on my hands? Im thinking almost all the plastics will need replaced, headlight, left saddlebag and mounts (yes the bags were on when this happened... in this picture its back a 100 yards or so on the interstate), and the blinker mounts, shifter linkage, footpeg bracket, and maybe a radiator mount/radiator, glovebox.
P.S. - bought the bike in October, love it, and just rolled 3,700 miles on her.
(http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr269/bigdaddyjob/2012-06-14_07-43-46_225.jpg)
-
Don't have any numbers on $$ for plastics, but it looks like you dodged a bullet (in more ways than one!) since the deer hit the side of the fairing instead of the forks. Having hit a deer myself, I can relate to the bruised ego... the best thing is that you're fine. Bikes can be repaired to 'like new' status, we're a bit harder to repair as thoroughly. Assuming the forks and frame didn't get scuffed up, you should hopefully be OK with regards to not having the bike totaled out. Way to keep your head on straight and get pulled over safely.
-
:o
Wow! Glad to hear you're ok BDJ! :chugbeer:
-
Glad you're OK
Jap bikes are as replaceable as Bic lighters, but glad you're OK!
-
Glad you're ok too. Had to have been quite a scare.
On the parts cost, I hit a buzzard last year on my '08. Just the headlights and upper fairing with no labor was $800. If you're really curious look the parts up over at Ron Ayers.
-
Just a bruise, definitely a win. When in doubt GAS it.
-
I almost wish I had time to react, but I didn't even know it was there till it hit. The guy behind me said that it must have been bed down in the median because he didn't see it until it "popped" out.
-
Glad your okay. It's a cool story when you live to tell about it!
-
I almost wish I had time to react, but I didn't even know it was there till it hit. The guy behind me said that it must have been bed down in the median because he didn't see it until it "popped" out.
As long as you were power on at impact. Whether intentional or by accident. We are happy you are basically unharmed, bike is fixable. :thumbs:
-
Glad you're OK
Jap bikes are as replaceable as Bic lighters, but glad you're OK!
Really like the Jap comment keeps all the discrimination (SP) going....
-
One of my biggest fears!!!! The pigs here too!
Glad you're well!!!
-
Did the same thing with my wife on the back and it totaled my '07. You're most likely getting another bike I'm afraid. My insurance got me another Connie so hopefully you'll be able to also. :-\
-
Glad your okay. A full size doe ya say? Where ya hanging your hat? In the midwest full size doe's can mess stuff up in a real hurry.
(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/snarf1971/100MEDIA95IMAG0225.jpg)
-
Sorry you had to go through this and glad you are okay.
And speaking of pigs - about two years ago I was riding my Ultra Classic from Fort Worth to OKC on a beautiful autumn morning when I spotted what looked like a large sofa crossing I-35 a hundred yards or so in front of me. I was prob doing about 80 mph and closed to find the sofa was actually a sow and maybe 8 piglets of about 30 pound each.
I slowed and made sure they were completely across the interstate as I passed, but these things are a hazard and quickly overtaking parts of the south. In a few years they'll be more prolific that deer as they breed quicker and are constantly on the move. Be aware!
-
Hanging my hat in Mitchell, SD currently. I am still waiting to hear back from the insurance company as to the official damage report. Doesn't sound good after the visual inspection though. I am VERY thankful though of that mornings events. I had just dropped my wife off at work and was headed back to Mitchell Solo. I think it may have been blind luck that kept that bike upright, but with another person in the saddle, that may have been a different story. Thanks for the wishes guys! As of right now, I'm riding to work in the mornings on my wife's 2002 Vucan 500... WOW, that is a change of pace from what I've been used to...
-
No one asked but was there enough deer left for burgers? Just kidding! Glad you stayed up and were only bruised!
SoberFX
2008 Concours 14
1958 HD Duo-Glide