My GS850 got to meet a deer tonight.

[RobC]

This was an extremely close call, I only say close because I didn't come off the bike.

I was headed home tonight and decided to ride with a friend leaving work since he is about to sell his Yamaha Seca 750 and he wasn't going to be riding anymore. After he pulled into his driveway I continued on home. Right after I made my next turn, I started to go through the gears and had just gotten to about 30mph this small doe darts out of nowhere and I hit her around her hip area and she bounced off and kept running. I didn't have time to even attempt to brake, if I had not of had my foot hooked on the shifter I would have most likely have been tossed over the handlebars.

Upon coming to a stop and checking the bike out, had to have a smoke and settle my nerves before resuming the ride home. I'm actually quite surprised none of the lights in any of the surrounding houses came on because I'm pretty sure I bellowed out a loud OHH SHNIKIES!!! (paraphrased)

Other than my front fender being tweaked a bit there wasn't any noticable damage done to the old girl. I can't say the same for my nerves yet though

[rapidray]

WOW!!! GS ONE, deer ZERO! I'm glad you & the bike are ok! Ray.

[Guest]

wow! l-u-c-k-y, huh? the deer are already starting to get jumpy around here, this year there is an early doe season starting middle of september, making them jumpy earlier. keep those eyes peeled, guys!!!! and glad you are ok!

[rudy]

Nice to hear you and the GS are good.

Over the years I've found that loud pipes save deer lives. I used to have a Suzuki Swift with a straight through muffler that I made myself (yes, the winters of my youth were very uneventful). It was kinda loud, but I NEVER even saw a deer when driving that car for just over 3 years. Now I drive a stock Protege and I see deer all the time with the occasional one jumping in front of me just for kicks.

Not saying you should have straight pipes, but possibly something with a nice growl to it.

[Eli69]

deer are the scariest monsters on the road, scarier than bluehairs, girls on cell phones, soccer moms in suv's on cell phones, fat guys in hummers(on cell phones). i'm just glad there are no moose around here but i think you might be able to duck under a moose.

[Eli69]

some folks disagree but i also think you gotta have a little rumble to get the critters to notice you. otherwise all you have is a bright light floating in space that just makes them stand there and get all hypnotized.

[seuadr]

woo! another argument for getting a 4 into 1 !

[mriddle]

Very fortunate ..

[emjay]

I'm more concerned about hitting a moose than a deer. They don't scare off just cause you have a loud bike. They really aren't afraid of anything. And their size is just too much for jus about anything.

[SteveL-J]

But can't you just slide right under a Moose?

RobC, just one smoke, man you weren't shook up too bad then! I'd 've sucked down the whole pack, and I don't smoke!
Glad you and the bike are ok.

[Guest]

No, it's a Yamaha

Guesss you were shaken real bad... Honda Seca 750 ?????????

[Grandpa]

Welcome to the world of people who prefer to hunt deer by motorcycles.

Please use a rifle next time. Kill as many of those damn things as you can!

But use a rifle, or shotgun, or bow and arrow, or whatever.

My Bambicide took place in December 2001. I was seriously hurt, and my GK was in bad shape too. Both man and motorcycle recovered to ride another day (almost 8 more years).

What happened to the deer? We ate her. She was delicious on spaghetti sauce. The chili was fantastic too!

[RobC]

Guesss you were shaken real bad... Honda Seca 750 ?????????

Ack I did call it a Honda didn't I, his is a Yamaha. In my riding group we have 3 Yamaha's 3 Honda's and 2 Zuk's, guess I was shaken up more than I thought. I wasn't thinking too much but about the stupid Bambi. This isn't his bike, but this is exactly what it looks like.


Trust me Grandpa I try to thin the herds as much as possible when the season permits, my daughters even fuss at me if I come from behind the house empty handed. They just tell me to go back and stay in the woods till I can come back with a deer.

It's going to be kind of interesting this fall/winter. I'm definitely going to have to improve my headlight on the bike soon for when they really do start moving.

[C.V.]

I'm more concerned about hitting a moose than a deer. They don't scare off just cause you have a loud bike. They really aren't afraid of anything. And their size is just too much for jus about anything.

The only moose I have to worry about hitting around here are the ones coming out of Mc Donalds!

[Grandpa]

Another critter to worry about here in Maryland and vicinity is black bear. Lots of them all over. I'd hate to hit one of those things.