New rider -- oh DEER!

[banalg]

I am a 51-year-old new biker. Wanted to get into it for so many of the same reasons I read on this and other sites. Dad was an auto mechanic, so I was raised around cars and been driving 35+ years, but never rode.

Took the MSP course, which was great. Got a left-over 09 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 for a good price, had a friend drive it home for me, and practiced a bit at a great big secluded cemetery 1/4 mile from home.

Set out again for the cemetery on the second day -- trying to get to practice, practice, practice -- and a deer appeared out of nowhere in that 1/4 mile on my way. Probably I panicked, although I didn't even have time to do that, probably I put my foot down, and, in any event, laid the bike down. Some damage to bike and me, but not too bad - going under 30 mph.

So ..... now what? What message am I being given here? Hang it up? Get back on the horse? Of course, I have a bit more fear now, but I also think it was a really freaky, unlucky thing. I had never had a deer encounter -- ever -- in 35+ years of driving.

Thanks for any comments or insights!

Bob

[jstark47]

No particular message - it was just a freak thing. Of course deer are around, and the danger of motorcycle encounters with deer is always present to some degree, but your experience is just a freaky bit of bad luck, that's all. You might ride that quarter-mile another 10,000 times and never see a deer again. Given that you're a noob, your skills are just starting to develop, and the deer probably startled you, your bad outcome is not surprising.

Your goals are correct: practice, practice, practice. As your skills develop, include emergency maneuvering and emergency braking (threshold braking) in your practice routine. Read (start with Hough's Proficient Motorcycling), practice with more experienced riders watching, after a little bit take the MSF BRC-2 course, etc. Sometimes deer strikes are unavoidable, but sometimes application of those emergency skills can bail your butt out, or at least mitigate some of the force of the impact.

Concerning deer: if you live in a deer zone, the "forest rats" are most active at dawn and dusk. Might want to minimize riding at those times, particularly in brushy areas (combo of farm fields and brush and wooded borders) that they love. And in November, the rutting season, they're all absolutely crazy. Had a buck challenge my car to a fight on my company's driveway last fall - seriously! I'd come to a dead stop, and this crazy fool 150 lb buck put his antlers down and started approaching my 3800 lb car. When I didn't respond to the "challenge", he snorted a couple of times then slowly swaggered away..... I was laughing my tail off!!

[blues2cruise]

I am a 51-year-old new biker. Wanted to get into it for so many of the same reasons I read on this and other sites. Dad was an auto mechanic, so I was raised around cars and been driving 35+ years, but never rode.

Took the MSP course, which was great. Got a left-over 09 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 for a good price, had a friend drive it home for me, and practiced a bit at a great big secluded cemetery 1/4 mile from home.

Set out again for the cemetery on the second day -- trying to get to practice, practice, practice -- and a deer appeared out of nowhere in that 1/4 mile on my way. Probably I panicked, although I didn't even have time to do that, probably I put my foot down, and, in any event, laid the bike down. Some damage to bike and me, but not too bad - going under 30 mph.

So ..... now what? What message am I being given here? Hang it up? Get back on the horse? Of course, I have a bit more fear now, but I also think it was a really freaky, unlucky thing. I had never had a deer encounter -- ever -- in 35+ years of driving.

Thanks for any comments or insights!

Bob

Get back on the horse.

[havegunjoe]

The message is Shxt Happens to the best and to the worst drivers. Nothing else.

[gerjets]

Bottom Line...recognize the situation for that it was...an incident where the new rider (you) wasn't sure what to do...just learn from it. (we all do, believe me!)

Get back on your bike, maintain acute awareness, and ride without fear. You will be fine.

[vampfiend687]

My first weekend out, I almost T-Boned a driver who turned right in front of me. Don't let incidents like this keep you from enjoying one of the greatest activities I have ever found. That deer probably stepped out to get a better view and admire your Shadow.