Having been away for a long weekend, I was itching to get back on the Spyder. Decided on a nice two hour cruise. I was about half a mile from my home, 60 mph, when I saw the bird. No time to try and avoid it. I believe it actually flared up to try and avoid me. I took the full impact to my left pectoral. I practice ATGATT, and was wearing a mesh armored jacket. Auto pilot took over, got off the throttle, directional, braking, downshift,hazards, shut down. I dismounted and was met by the gentleman who was operating the vehicle behind me. He rides as well and witnessed the strike. He asked if I needed medical, which puzzled me, until he mentioned it was a pretty big bird. I assured him I was gine. But decided to walk a bit just to make sure. The bird was deceased. I belive it was a Northern Flicker. They stand about 11-14" and have a wingspan of 17-21", not hugh but no chickadee. But a pretty pointed beak.
Thanks to the jacket, I am fine.20150722_161129.jpg
White 2013 Spyder RT Limited. BajaRon Swaybar, Custom Dynamic Third Brake Light. Ultimate Custom Black and White seat with driver and passenger back rest. Gloryder Led Wheel lights.Custom Dynamics Led Bright sides, Amber and Red Fender lights, and Saddle Bag Bright sides.
2016 F3 Limited Intense Red Pearl. Lidlox, BRP Driver Back Rest, BRP Passenger Back Rest,Fog Lights, GPS, Signature Light! Custom Dynamics LED Bright Sides, Amber and Red Fender lights, and Saddle Bag Bright Sides.
Glad you are OK. On a trip back from Reno (on my 2 wheeler) I had a BIG Vulture attacking my helmet, struck it twice.....must have looked like an egg from above ?!?
Birds and I do not get along. They are always trying to get me when I ride. I can be anywhere in a line of bikes and they will swoop at me. I would definitely have required new undies if I had hit that bird.
Glad you are okay.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
glad your okay... little over and could have knocked the wind outta you....I have been swooped at many times but we were both in control which is good cause theseare hawks...says a lot about wearing the right gear...
Gene and Ilana De Laney Mt. Helix, California
2012 RS sm5
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
My son and I were on a ride, He on his sport bike me on my spyder, He was going 85 when he hit a hummingbird with his helmet just above the facemask..... WOW.... almost knocked him off the bike.... we stopped immediately.... what a bloody mess...... thankfully I had my can of Honda polish and rags in the top box so it cleaned up easily....... Little bird + high speed = big problem.
2014 RT Ltd Black Currant, Bump Skid, TricLed 3rd, 4th and 5th Brake Light with Modulator, TricLed Safety Bundle Led's and Reflectors with flasher option, TricLed Vader lights, JT's dash mount and USB outlet. Baker Wings belt tensioner and Drivers cup holder. Lamonster's FFP highway pegs and IPS, BRP Trailer hitch with Bushtec pin and 2007 Bushtec Roadster GT trailer. Volt Meter. Baja Ron Sway Bar. Doc Humphry's spring spacers
At the dealership here in Great Falls as I was walking around with the service guy I noticed a dead bird stuck in the diagonal bars just inside the front tire. He said he sees that all the time. I don't know how a bird would be there unless he was just really slow on take-off.
This is one of the main reasons I wear a helmet. I have been struck in the head (helmet) by birds twice in 37 years of riding. I can't even give an estimate on the amount of bird **** I have washed off my helmets over the years. I'd hate to think of the damage my head may have taken without a helmet.
I'm glad you're ok. This is one of the perils of riding; flying creatures and flying objects.
I love that scene from Wild Hogs.
Coming home one nigh from Emory I was on top of Fairview Canyon when a big Barn Owl tipped the top of my windshield then bounced off my helmet.
Knocked my head around but I didn't go down ( I was on an RSTD) owl was toast.
Happy TRAils/NSD
Paul
2012 RT L
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White 2013 Spyder RT Limited. BajaRon Swaybar, Custom Dynamic Third Brake Light. Ultimate Custom Black and White seat with driver and passenger back rest. Gloryder Led Wheel lights.Custom Dynamics Led Bright sides, Amber and Red Fender lights, and Saddle Bag Bright sides.
little over and could have knocked the wind outta you....I have been swooped at many times but we were both in control which is good cause theseare hawks...says a lot about wearing the right gear...
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
