Bike vs Deer

[puckothewilde]

http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z83/puckothewilde/Bike%20vs%20Deer/

Added a new photo albumn. I'm a bit sore today. At 2:30am Wednesday 2.22.12 I hit a deer with my motorcycle going about 60mph. I was just at the Azle, Tx citly limits when I suddenly hit what seemed like a big, brown, hairy wall. My thought was, "Not again." I bounced, rolled and slide to a stop about 50-100 feet. I stopped face down and slowly pushed myself up and limped to the bike and picked it up. Not easy, arms and legs were not working so good. But I got it up.
I took my helmet off and teenage girl and her boyfriend were behind me and stopped to see if I needed help. I told them I thought I was ok. They stuck around to make sure my phone was working and I called Lisa. Lisa says I need to stop calling her from the side of the road with all the traffic noise in the background. I was actually almost right in front of the Azle hospital, but I told Lisa I was going to see about getting the bike started and get it home 1st. I pulled out a flashlight and found bits and pieces of the bike. Found the deer. Very small white tail. I think it was a fawn, but when I hit it it seemed like a moose! Threw it about 40-50 feet off the side of the road. If my body wasn't so hurt I would have strapped it to the bike. But I could barely lift my arms, deer was not happening. Not even a small one.
Got the bike started and rode home. I could tell the front end was messed up. When I got home and could look at the bike in the light of the carport I saw the forks are bent and one has a slight kink. Not fixable. I went out today and there is a dent in the tank, saddlebags are toast, footpeg wore down, and the edge of the windshield is ground down. Left mirror is snapped off and took a big chunk out of the clutch handle bracket. And covered in green Deer poo. Might be without a bike for awhile. I only have liabilty insurance. So any repairs are out of my pocket.
The Doctor and staff at the Azle Hospital were very glad I was wearing full armor. My Yellow reflective safty vest took most of the damage on top and my riding pants knees are worn through to the hard rubber armor. I hit on my left side and I truly believe if I hadn't had the armor on when I hit on my left elbow and shoulder I would have broken bones instead of just sprained. My daughter Robyn and Lisa both said they are glad I wear armor.
So here is the list: Left shoulder and Elbow sprained and in a sling. Right hand burts a blood vessel and last night it had a knot the size of a golf ball on the back of my hand. It is wrapped with an Ace bandage. Swelling is down tonight. Large bruise on left leg below knee. It was purplie black last night, but already fading. And a small bruise on my right leg below the knee. And everything seems to be taking turns hurting. I'm taking Flexoril and Tramadol. I can't take most pain meds, but Tramadol I can as long as it's the 50mg and not the 100mg. Dr. told me to take a couple days off to rest and see my regular Dr. on Friday. I think I should be able to go back to work Monday.
Oh, and I found out some idiot behind the hospital has a deer feeder and there are about 5 deer living in the area! I'm going to call the police tomorrow and see if reporting it will do anything. What idiot feeds deer close to a freeway! Ugh

[hbark]

Wow, sorry to hear about this. Rest up, and I hope you heal well.

[MB_ED]

Glad it's no more than bumps and bruises. Sucks about the bike. Hope you feel better and can get a ride soon

[MoTom]

Wow, that is really scary. Glad you are o.k. even though it probably doesn't feel that way to you!

[craig s.]

just one of my biggest fear is hitting a deer,we have em all over the place here,luckily i dont ride much at night as i have no need to,but still they can and have ran across the road in broad daylight,it just a little easier to see them.
really sorry to hear that you had this happen..just glad youre able to tell us about it and will heal up within a few days. the bike can be replaced eventually.

[MoTom]

Originally Posted by craig s.

just one of my biggest fear is hitting a deer,we have em all over the place here,luckily i dont ride much at night as i have no need to,but still they can and have ran across the road in broad daylight,it just a little easier to see them.
really sorry to hear that you had this happen..just glad youre able to tell us about it and will heal up within a few days. the bike can be replaced eventually.

My wife and I were up in WV (Parkersburg/Elizabeth) for Xmas and there were deer all over the roads. We were in my Ford Explorer and I was still worried about hitting them.

[John Hopkins]

Glad you are ok, good to know you had the common sense to wear armoured gear instead of flip flops and a tee shirt..I have to be honest I wear an armoured leather jacket, leather calf length boots, armoured gloves a ful face helmet and two pair of jeans..but I don't think I would have walked away without broken knees..

Go and buy a lottery ticket.. you could get a new bike..

John.

[woodboats]

Very scary indeed!
Looking at your photos shows that you were lucky you weren't hurt more than you were.
All the best on your healing (and bike repairs )

[rmccutchan]

I've been avoiding opening this post for fear of what I may see or read......kinda wish I hadn't opened it now. We are over populated with them here. Hope you get healed up soon.

[frbob]

Glad to hear your ok and not hurt any worse. When I lived up in Fort Worth near loop 820 I'd see deer crossing the road every now and then. Riding home from work I saw two but they stayed well away from me. Living in the country now I expect to see a lot of them in the weeks ahead.