Had to Swerve to Miss a Wild Turkey on my Evening Ride

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RockBottom · Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:42 am

Why don't they teach useful stuff like THAT in the safety course? I have yet to have an orange cone run out in front of me.

CYNWAGON · #2 Unread post by **CYNWAGON** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:49 am

Our instructor actually jumped and yelled at some of us during our emergency maneuvers! Not close enough to be in danger but close enough to make you react really quick - and get the heart pumping!

RockBottom · Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:56 am

Well, I'll say this--if an orange cone ever DOES run out in front of me, I'll be ready. Of course, I'll instinctively start doings figure 8s around it.

kuz · #4 Unread post by **kuz** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:12 pm

The only upside to hitting a turkey over a cone is you get to take home dinner.

RockBottom · Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:28 pm

I did once eat a rooster pheasant I killed with my car. Wasn't any reason to leave it for the buzzards.

#6 Unread post by **Skier** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:49 pm

I'd hit the turkey before swerving to avoid it. Swerving to avoid animals is a surprisingly common cause of accidents.

I know my motorcycle and riding gear can safely take out anything that fits on a dinner plate. And I have large plates.

Shorts · #7 Unread post by **Shorts** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:15 pm

I've nearly creamed a fair number of stubborn ravens in the road. I think I'm with skier, I brace for a straight on impact rather than swerve if I cannot easily slow and brake. The same thing I'd do in my truck too....hang on and cringe.

RockBottom · Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:25 pm

Skier wrote:I'd hit the turkey before swerving to avoid it. Swerving to avoid animals is a surprisingly common cause of accidents.

I know my motorcycle and riding gear can safely take out anything that fits on a dinner plate. And I have large plates.

Wild turkeys are big. I don't swerve for squirrels and rabbits. Do swerve for deer. Groundhogs are borderline.

#9 Unread post by **Skier** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:34 pm

RockBottom wrote:
Skier wrote:I'd hit the turkey before swerving to avoid it. Swerving to avoid animals is a surprisingly common cause of accidents.

I know my motorcycle and riding gear can safely take out anything that fits on a dinner plate. And I have large plates.
Wild turkeys are big. I don't swerve for squirrels and rabbits. Do swerve for deer. Groundhogs are borderline.

Slow for deer. Their movements are truly random.

RockBottom · Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:38 pm

Skier wrote:
RockBottom wrote:
Skier wrote:I'd hit the turkey before swerving to avoid it. Swerving to avoid animals is a surprisingly common cause of accidents.

I know my motorcycle and riding gear can safely take out anything that fits on a dinner plate. And I have large plates.
Wild turkeys are big. I don't swerve for squirrels and rabbits. Do swerve for deer. Groundhogs are borderline.
Slow for deer. Their movements are truly random.

Kind of like teenage girls with cell phones?