Stupid, stupid, stupid . . .

[cruiser]

ok guys, I have nothing more to say on this matter... best wishes to you all and good riding

[JakeThePimp]

cruiser - do understand that in the eastern US we are overrun by deer. Since wolves no longer inhabit this part of the country, the deer no longer have a natural predator to cull the population. So many of these creatures die of hunger in the winter due to overpopulation. A lot of them are hit and killed by cars and trucks during the winter. So quite honestly, they pose a danger to motorists and are not just "forest creatures." They walk through my backyard in the suburbs of Washington, DC almost every night.

Yes yjleesvrr, I am aware of this serious problem - which I guess was largely brought on by human activity (territory/the wolves)? - and I fully understand that the animals need to be humanely controlled. It's simply that I was outraged and saddenned, not by the initial post, but by some of the reactions to it for which, I firmly believe, there can be no justification.

Safe riding, everone

Each year in the upper mid-west thousands of deer and other critters are stuck by cars and a few by motorcycles. I have had a very close encounter once on my bike and several in my cage.

However, I feel no pity towards the creatures. In-fact, I envy the deer. They have a taste of freedom that no man will ever enjoy. As the saying goes freedom isn't free. We, as humans, have the ability to control the deer population 100%. We could fence them all up and provide for all their needs. Each "protected" deer would never go unfed or cold and would never be stuck by a motorcycle. Would protected, fat and warm deer be proper?

I will never apologize for my existence and I don't practice anthropomorphism. I respect wild animals for what they are, sentience creatures with freedom and choices of there own. I make no attempt to alter habits unless the critters encroach on my well-being nor do I empathize with wild creatures for the choices they make.

Given the choice of outcomes my hat is tipped to the victor. May he enjoy the spoils and not resent the outcome in a life and death situation.

-JTP

[yjleesvrr]

Nature (or God) decided that man should have the upper hand. Just like over the period from 1492 - 1914 that Europeans should dominate world affairs. From a sheer biological point of view, deer have been very successful creatures. Even more so with the presence of man. Just as Europeans imposed their will on their own continent over indigenous animals such as lions that no longer exist there, not to mention their will upon the rest of the humans on the planet, it is now our turn to exercise our will upon our own lands as well as influence the affairs of the world.

How's that for anthropomorphism?

[wncbmw]

JakeThePimp and yjleesvrr - nice posts!

And jbuzbee, I am sure I speak for most of us when I say that we are glad you came out on top in this encounter!

[frbank6]

While self-admitted speeding may have been the cause of this particular incident, I would just like to point out that is not always the case. I have a very good friend who had a serious impact with a deer while riding a bicycle at a documented (by bike computer) blistering 18 mph. My friend broke a collarbone and another bone in his forearm and had several puncture wounds from the antlers. The deer apparently escaped unharmed (got up and ran off). Personally I've had to slow to a complete stop in my neighborhood to allow four or five deer to cross the street. On another section of the same street(30 mph limit) or at another time, I easily could hit one of these deer with serious consequences. There are far too many of these animals living much too close to urban areas precisely because of well-meaning but ignorant 'conservation' efforts.

I have no problem with people appreciating nature, and I don't hunt on a regular basis, but I do have a problem with tree-hugging, dirt-munching druids with their 'nature-first' attitudes.

[JakeThePimp]

Nature (or God) decided that man should have the upper hand. Just like over the period from 1492 - 1914 that Europeans should dominate world affairs. From a sheer biological point of view, deer have been very successful creatures. Even more so with the presence of man. Just as Europeans imposed their will on their own continent over indigenous animals such as lions that no longer exist there, not to mention their will upon the rest of the humans on the planet, it is now our turn to exercise our will upon our own lands as well as influence the affairs of the world.

How's that for anthropomorphism?

anthropomorphism - Giveing human traits to un-human things...

Anyway, after re-reading my post it may have been taken the wrong way.

Given that we allow animals to roam, we will have strikes. I am not sorry for "taking over the world" so to speak and will never be. We let, yes let, these animals have freedom because we have the choice to do so. We also use animals to improve our well-being, which I'm also not sorry for.

To dumb it down a little more:
Hippies = Bad
Deer = Tastey
Critter Strikes = Bad
Deer VS BMW = Glad Rider made it

-JTP

[yjleesvrr]

That's what I get for being a smart a$$.

[wncbmw]

It is a good point that speed was not a factor except, of course, for the physics of the impact!

[NoRRmad]

...and the amount of time to react.

[wncbmw]

Sometimes 'reacting' to a deer, or squirrel for that matter, that is moving erratically and quickly is hopeless. Yes, all things being considered, it is better to hit something at a lower speed but thinking you can react to out maneuver a deer that will turn on dime at a 90 degree angle is wishful thinking.

Sometimes it is best just to slow down, maintain your line and hang on! Let them miss you!

I will admit that my speeds slow down in heavy deer country at dusk though! I hate looking off the side of the road and seeing all those glowing eyes staring at me!

[gunga din]

Always good to hear of happy ending, and as much as I agree with your sentiments about the beak (and no DJ it hasn't grown on me yet) it's a rather drastic way to rearrange the damn thing.

Keep on keepin on
Gunga

[jbuzbee]

everyone - thankyou for the warm sentiment AND the entertainment. Gunga din - yes a radical way to loose the beak!!

As promised, the carnage:











I did have the little plastic engine guards. Sure - they really helped at 80 mph!

An update on the damage:

My best friend - a master mechanic and motorcycle customizer - came around to survey the damage. The front sliders are bent, but the telelever looks to be in good shape. We'll have to carefully inspect the ball joint when we replace the sliders. This is definitely going to be a re-build / customization project - so stay tuned!!

[towerworker]

jbuzbee

Glad you're ok----bike looks like it hurts! BUT---bikes can be easily repaired..........not so us.

wncbmw, yjleesvrr, and Cruiser......Have to admit I found this thread very interesting and more than a little entertaining. Good points from all sides.

To all you guys-------------if you ever get near Staunton Va, give me a call. I'd like to buy you all a beer.

Wayne

[DJ Downunder]

Hey...With that headlight mod it looks a bit like an MV Brutale.. ..just kidding.

Great pics..but they almost bring a tear to the eye....What a bugger.

DJ

[wncbmw]

No pics of the deer?

Amazing the bike came through as well as it did!

[yjleesvrr]

Wow! I knew BMW built a durable bike, but this is incredible!!!

[1150929]

Oh deer And Cruiser, this is probably the one forum I've been to where most think a little harder.

What matters most is we didn't loose another rider.

Now, lets see how that re-build turns out.

[iowabeakster]

i just want to repeat the chorus of "glad you're OK".

[JCsman]

I think it'll buff out......

Astounding to strike two animals of that size and your injuries were not worse.

Now, fix the bike, ride safe and recharge that good karma you tapped into.

[jbuzbee]

Well, believe it or not I rode the bike yesterday. I got to my bud who's a master mechanic and a bike builder. The thing started and ran. He loosened all the various front end bits to re-align everything. The suspension seemed to work fine. We rode it down the street - everything felt perfect. We're going to replace the valve covers (still weeping oil) and then take it out through it's paces. It tracks straight and true. Hard to believe - but I think the front suspension is fine!!!

I'll post the results of the "high" speed testing . . ..


Ankle is still swollen - but not enough to keep me from riding!