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Load pipes keep the deers away form your bike. A blast on the air horns will turn herd of deers every time.
TOTAL BS! I have cracked the throttle numerous times when deer are standing on the shoulder. Sometimes they freeze in their tracks. Sometimes they bolt for cover away from the road. Sometimes the dash right out into the road! NEVER COUNT ON KNOWING WHAT ONE OF THESE CRITTERS WILL DO. THEY WILL SURPRISE YOU EVERY TIME. I agree with most of the posts that suggest avoiding hitting the deer is the best scenario, but sometimes that is not an option. I know first-hand that hitting small critters (like dogs under 50 pounds and raccoons), you are best off to stay on the gas and keep the bike upright (no swerving). With an animal the size of a deer, I think I would do my best to take off some speed, but still not swerve. Hang on tight and hope for a square hit so you can live to post to one of these threads.
Also total BS is that idea that a deer whistle will save your a$$! Put one on the bike if you want, but DO NOT IMAGINE THAT YOU WILL BE SAFE because of it. It is kinda like a ride bell. It may keep the gremlins away, but it is no substitute for being careful. The damn deer don't know what a deer whistle is and they do not know they are supposed to run away from it. They are animals. They behave unpredictably.
Also total BS is that idea that a deer whistle will save your a$$! Put one on the bike if you want, but DO NOT IMAGINE THAT YOU WILL BE SAFE because of it. It is kinda like a ride bell. It may keep the gremlins away, but it is no substitute for being careful. The damn deer don't know what a deer whistle is and they do not know they are supposed to run away from it. They are animals. They behave unpredictably.
Not saying anyone would be totally safe Brother under any circumstances. Just another "maybe it will".
Worked on the job for us. Worked so far for me 38 years of riding. I've lived and rode in some heavy deer areas. Just saying.
Dumping, or laying the bike down, is never an option in any kind of accident. Maybe if you are going to hit a trailer and get decapitated, but otherwise you will have a better chance staying with the bike and allowing the brakes to slow you and the mass of the bike to take a big bite of the impact energy. The laws of physics apply to riding a bike also. Slding along the ground next to an 800 pound tumbling bike is not my idea of fun.
Originally Posted by ButtMan1000
In my case it was still dark in the morning, never saw the deer coming from my left, hit the thing broadside in mid turn,
The Road Glide fairing took the brunt of the impact, I was shot off the bike on the left side like I was in an ejector seat,
Don't know the legal aspect of dumping the bike to avoid a deer. If the thing is laying dead next to your damaged bike then it is a no brainer as to the cause of accident. If you have a damaged bike and no evidence as to culprit, just what will the Police Report state, and you insurance company insinuate happened?
I have been told it's best to scrub all speed possible, but if collision is inevitable...hit the object (deer) rolling on the throttle. Bikes more stable in acceleration than deceleration. Makes sense to me...who knows if youll have time to process all this when it happens.
I will not kill myself missing a deer to hit a tree!!!!!
This might have been what the old guy was talking about.
dumping, or laying the bike down, is never an option in any kind of accident. Maybe if you are going to hit a trailer and get decapitated, but otherwise you will have a better chance staying with the bike and allowing the brakes to slow you and the mass of the bike to take a big bite of the impact energy. The laws of physics apply to riding a bike also. Slding along the ground next to an 800 pound tumbling bike is not my idea of fun.
When riders say they have laid the bike down to avoid an accident it just means they have panicked. We have the same problem with Kangaroo's in Australia that you have with deer. The silly bastards will jump in any direction, so i just use my own fail proof method to avoid them, which is to brake hard and then close my eyes. If i don't feel anything hit me i should be ok.
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