Coming home after an A.B.A.T.E. meeting last night down here in No. Arkansas, keep in mind that it was a full moon , I observed a deer crossing the road in front of me , not too close, but I did let off the throttle. This deer was crossing HWY 62/412 , a major road , and in between Mt. Home and Gasseville , not totally unusual , but not too common either. Ok , so I,m enjoying my rare ride home in the dark , nice full moon and all and was about a quarter mile from home just outside of the little town where Ranger boats are made , when another deer runs out right in front of me. I was in a sweeping curve going around 45-50 mph , just had time to think o **** and get on the brakes and steer away from her direction of travel. At about 8 ft. from what would have been impact , the rear brake locked the tire into skid and the bike got a little squrrilly . All said and done , I missed the deer by inches and managed to keep it upright and make it on home. Point being , did I have the front brake on as well? I couldn't say for sure although I always use both brakes. I do know now after last night that I need more practice for panic stops. Never plan for those kind of things and don't know if you can.

 

That a had question to answer. Obviously the front brakes have more stopping power, but depending on how sharp you were turning at the time then the front brakes may have "dumped" you.

 

ABS is one of the reasons I bought a new bike.
Rp

 

I just completed the MSF ARC (advanced rider course) a couple weeks ago and it covered in turn or "trail braking" pretty well.
On a long sweeping turn , you can use a fair amount of both brakes , but you need to practice it yourself under controlled conditions.
I was amazed how quickly a touring bike can be slowed with the proper technique and mindset.
I had arranged for 5 of our local HOG members to attend the class , and they all felt they got some good info and experience from it.
We get a fair amount of bike vs deer accidents up here also.
Keep her upright , practice is the key.
Mick

 

Sounds to me like you passed your "test". Chances are you were on both brakes but did not get too aggressive with the front. If you had squeezed the fronts too hard you probably would have gone down. These moments happen, come and go, basic leaned skills come into play. I don't think you panicked, it sounds like you reacted well.

Glad you are ok and able to tell your story.

 

I also recommend taking the ARC class, I took it and found my bike was prepared to do a lot more than I was.

here's some pics from the thread I had posted

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...arc-class.html

 

Thanks for the replies guys , I will definatly be doing some more practicing and looking in to a rider course. Not really any available around here. Great photos 5point 56 , saw a demo of police bike doing these types of manuevers.

 

ABS doesn't help in turns...Read your manual.

 

No one but you can answer whether you were on the front brakes. But a panic stop in a sweeping curve is always going to raise the pucker factor. All I can offer is that in such a situation, it's pretty important to try to get it straight before heavy braking. Otherwise, loss of traction and a high side is a real possibility.

On deer, one tip: never forget the other one, meaning, frequently, that deer you see crossing in front of you could very well have a buddy that will try to cross behind it. The one I hit and killed years ago got smack dead in front of my bike while I still had my head turned to my left, watching the first one disappear into the brush. Soon as I looked forward again, there it was, and I hit it with no time to avoid it. Some serious learning took place in those few seconds.

 

It's too bad that today's society frowns so much on "deer killers - errrr, I mean deerhunters". For without them, deer have multiplied to the extent where I now see deer where I have never seen them before.

Having said that, there is a lesson that I have learnt over many encounters with the little critters. If....IF...they are not mesmerized by your headlights and are "on the move" ride AT them. They are moving so riding at them puts in the place where they have been. Try to avoid them and; more than likely, you'll ride into their escape path.

Just sayin'.....

Ride In Peace