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Hit an Alligator Today
I hit an alligator today on the final leg of my trip home from Cuba, MO. I was going from Malabar, FL to Naples on the scenic route when it happened. I was on a two lane road (State highway 70, east of Okeechobee) with no shoulder, going about 50 mph. The alligator (3 or 4 feet) was crossing the road from left to right and was mostly in my lane, but seemed not to be moving. I didn’t want to brake hard because there was a pickup truck behind me and I didn’t want him in my tail pipe, or worse. I could not use the opposing lane because there was a dump truck approaching at speed. I decided to go between the alligator and the right hand edge of the road. I almost made it. When I got there, the alligator started to move. It was hit a glancing blow by my left front tire which spun it around. In my rear view mirror I could see the alligator running toward the opposite side of the road when it was hit by the dump truck. Better him than me. The Spyder doesn’t have a mark on it.
Over the years, I have seen live alligators and dead alligators on the road, but I never hit one. I have had a close call with a deer and a really, really close call with a huge pig. I hit several vultures. We have a lot of vultures in Southern Florida.
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Registered Users
WHEW!
Glad there wasn't any more damage than a dirty pair of underwear.
I tangled with a construction cone about the same way (well it didn't move, but it was a glancing blow) and it broke my left fender.
A VERY HAPPY RIDER!
Even duct tape can't fix stupid - Cody Stell
'08 Yellow SM5, 2" BRP handlebar riser, Super Trapp exhaust, sport rack, seat back.
Future wish list of updates, too numerous to list and too expensive to afford....and I just found Corbin.
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Registered Users
As Gilda Radnor said, "It's always something". Glad you are fine and the Spyder too.
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Very Active Member
Glad it wasn't any worse than that!
Was thinking you should be home pretty soon. Was nice meeting you.
Spyder hits Gator---- gotta be a first!
Spyder #1 - 2008 GS SM5 Premier Edition #1977. RIP after 80,000 miles.
Spyder #2 - 2012 RT SM5. Traded in after 24,000 miles.
Spyder #3 - 2015 F3 SM6. Put 13,000 miles on and sold it.
Spyder #4 - 2017 F3 SM6. Too good of a deal to pass up!
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Registered Users
Very glad to hear that it was only the gator that got spun around, and then crushed. That is a very scary thing to have happen.
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Originally Posted by BajaRon
In southern California it was Coyote's. And just like with alligators, you have to watch out for your little dogs.
Did you know that Coyote's are one of the few animals that will eat cats?
I imagine that alligators will also eat cats.
I like Coyote's and Alligators...
That's so bad! I love cats.... I just can't eat a whole one by myself .
No really - I actually rescue feral cats. Most I've had was 41 - down to 20 something now. I also rescue greyhounds (from the track), raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and most other critters that turn up on the porch or at the barn. Hatched a batch of snapping turtles once, but never had an up close and personal relationship with an alligator and hope I never do.
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Late one night i was riding past a farm and this pig ran out in front of me. Hit him dead on.
It's late at night no one around to see what happened.
So i figured let me just get out of here and go home. Well by the time i got home there was a State Trooper waiting at my door.
Then he ask me did, you know you hit a pig and left the Scene of an Accident?
I asked him how did you know it was me who hit that pig?
The Trooper said = The pig squealed
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Active Member
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MOgang Member
Wow when I read to thread title I thought , chunk of tire, can't imagine hitting a real one. Sure glad it turned out Ok.
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Banged Up Member
Gators prefer dogs over cats.
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RT-S PE#0174
I am glad to hear nothing more happened to you.
That is scary alright
"Happy Spyder Owner"
2010 RTS PE 0174
Custom Plates & paint,
ESI Triple play,mud flap lights,Fender tips/amber,Green Filter,Dayrunner/turn signals,Shortee Antenna,Scuff Guards,LED Brake Lights & 2 in 1 Harness,Brightsides & rear, Glo-ryders/amber, Kewlmetal inside trunk lightz, Garmin 660,Garmin Hood,Volt Meter & Oil Pressure Gauge, Utopia Backrest, IPS Key, ISCI Brake Pedal,Dual side/tall flag poles, SPYDERPOPS Heat Guard
http://www.farriscustoms.com
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Doru the Destroyer-Spyder Photo Investigator
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SpyderLovers Founder
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Registered Users
There are livestock fence laws in...
the USA and I think the livestock owner is responsible for any damage to your vehicle. In the old days it was the opposite... back in the 40's my grandfather was a semi driver when there were no fence laws. He hit a mule one night in TN and had to pay for it and fix his truck too.
When the fence laws were enacted the animal owner became responsible because the animal was supposed to be under control and kept off the highway.
There was a recent incident near Lake City FL and a Mustang Cobra hit a cow on the highway a 2am. The cow had a ear tag and it cost the dairy owners insurance company nearly 50 thousand for the cobra and 250 thousand for pain and suffering when the cow went through the windshield injuring the driver. Fortunately there was no passenger because the driver was on the way home from work. According to the state police had there been a passenger they would have probably been killed.
/Ken
Ken krb1945 "Happy Owner"
USN DAV 100% 'er
Proud grandfather of a former United States Marine
1 2008 SM5 PE 548
1 2008 SM5, 1 2009 SE5
2008 GL1800
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Motorbike Professor
Originally Posted by krb1945
the USA and I think the livestock owner is responsible for any damage to your vehicle. In the old days it was the opposite... back in the 40's my grandfather was a semi driver when there were no fence laws. He hit a mule one night in TN and had to pay for it and fix his truck too.
When the fence laws were enacted the animal owner became responsible because the animal was supposed to be under control and kept off the highway.
There was a recent incident near Lake City FL and a Mustang Cobra hit a cow on the highway a 2am. The cow had a ear tag and it cost the dairy owners insurance company nearly 50 thousand for the cobra and 250 thousand for pain and suffering when the cow went through the windshield injuring the driver. Fortunately there was no passenger because the driver was on the way home from work. According to the state police had there been a passenger they would have probably been killed.
/Ken
Wonder if that gator had an ear tag.....or maybe it was a luggage tag?
-Scotty
2011 Spyder RTS-SM5 (mine)
2000 BMW R1100RTP, motorized tricycle & 23 vintage bikes
2011 RT-622 trailer, Aspen Sentry popup camper, custom motorcycle trailer to pull behind the Spyder
Mutant Trikes Forever!
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RT-S PE#0031
I praise God for your safety!
Mark & Mary Lou Lawson
Snellville, GA USA
'10 RT-S PE #0031
'10 RT-622 Trailer
'08 Yellow SM5 #2332
'01 Black GL1800A Goldwing #0930
"Remember in the darkness what you have learned in the light." - Joe Bayly
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Originally Posted by Spyder1026
I hit an alligator today...
I'm glad you survived, shaken but not broken.
(If it were me with my lovely bride, she would've got off the Spyder, gone over to the smushed gator, and made me bring it to a vet to see if he could be saved. )
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Registered User
Glad you are ok!!
Ryde safe out there everyone.
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Originally Posted by Mo Lee
Wow when I read to thread title I thought , chunk of tire, can't imagine hitting a real one. Sure glad it turned out Ok.
We've all encountered "asphalt alligators", "concrete crocodiles", "retread reptiles", but real alligator speed bumps must be new.
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RT-S PE# 536
Could you post a picture of your new boots when you get them?
Jay on Omega Bay Texas
Spyder RT-S PE# 536
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Registered Users
Number One: 2008 Yellow GS SM5. I love my Spyder.
Number Two: 2012 RT-S Limited (the poop colored RT) I still have Number One, but Some Girl made me buy Number Two...
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Yellinacha
Yep - one got my cat and my motherinlaw's cat. Now if I see one in my yard, I'm just gonna shoot it.
Originally Posted by BajaRon
In southern California it was Coyote's. And just like with alligators, you have to watch out for your little dogs.
Did you know that Coyote's are one of the few animals that will eat cats?
I imagine that alligators will also eat cats.
I like Coyote's and Alligators...
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Gators will eat anything that wonders down to the water's edge. I doubt that the possibility of choking on a hair ball will deter one from eating a cat !
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Very Active Member
Cats are too oily. Don't ask.
Originally Posted by GeminiJane
That's so bad! I love cats.... I just can't eat a whole one by myself .
No really - I actually rescue feral cats. Most I've had was 41 - down to 20 something now. I also rescue greyhounds (from the track), raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and most other critters that turn up on the porch or at the barn. Hatched a batch of snapping turtles once, but never had an up close and personal relationship with an alligator and hope I never do.
WackyDan - Fun, not crazy.
Charlotte (Matthews), NC
Silver Moon SM5 - V35 and V46 Givis, CHAD, Motolight 35w steering lights, Dash Powerlets, Helibar risers, Garage door opener, Eastern Beaver PC-8, Digital voltmeter, Kewl Metal Intake, Evoluzione Sway Bar, RT Shocks and Juice Box PRO.
*Mower deck in development*
2008 model -new in crate, April 09
26,000 miles.
Looking for other Charlotte area riders to cruise with and compare Spyders.
HAPPY SPYDER OWNER
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