Friday afternoon approximately 4:00 pm, my husband and I were riding our motorcycles down Highway 7 out of Eatonville, Washington when a deer ran out of the woods and accross the highway. It happened so fast that my husband didn't have time to react before he hit it at 55 mph.

The impact threw him into the air, over the handlebars and into a rolling ball down the highway. The bike traveled about 300 feet before coming to a rest, my husband went approximately 250 feet and the deer went about 150.

I was riding my bike right behind him and was able to avoid making contact with any of them.

Somehow my husband was able to get up and walk away with very minimal injuries. Thanks to his "Joe Rocket" riding gear, full face helmet, gloves and boots, he only received bumps and bruises. His skin never made contact with the pavement. Without his full face helmet, it would have been very different. He took a direct hit on the chin bar and had very deep cuts accross the face sheild. Riding gear has small holes and some melted areas and that is all. The metal eye hooks on his boots were grounded down and has deep scrapes.

The bike was rideable after some makeshift repairs. Has major cosmetic damage. He was determined to ride it home and he did. I then drove him to the hospital in our truck to ensure nothing was broken.

He is so tough that by Sunday morning, we were riding our dirt bikes in the mountains with some friends. It's still hard for me since I have the visual image in my mind to deal with. He says he doesn't remember anything except for getting up and walking off the road.

One more thing, I read in this mornings local newspaper that a 70 year old man was killed on his 2003 Harley while crossing some railroad tracks on that same highway just in the next town from where we were. He lost control on the tracks and a 63 year old woman on her 1997 Harley dropped hers when he fell and her bike hit him while he was laying there. She is in critical condition. They were in a group of five riders. This makes us realize just how lucky we were.

Ride safe, have fun and wear the appropriate riding gear. I'll post some photos when they are developed.

 

Glad to hear hes ok. Thats scary in a car wouldnt want to hit one on a bike.

 

Just my $.02 worth. I have been riding motorcycles all my life. He is very lucky to be alive or not crippled for life. I doubt tough had anything to do with it. Count your blessings, and be thankful.

 

Just spent 3 days in the North Carolina mountains; Deals Gap, Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala, etc. Saw and heard of numerous accidents. One guy died after crashing approx 200 yards after leaving the gas station at Deal's Gap. My friend told me of another guy killed in north Georgia after crashing his Harley in a decreasing radius turn.
Came upon a low side crash on the Cherohala. The guy appeared to have only slight to moderate injuries. It appeared all would have been prevented by proper riding attire.
I just learned of an incident not 15 minutes from my home here in Alabama. Night time rider struck a deer and was left lying in the road in a turn. A vehicle rounded the turn and struck him, killing him.

Motorcycle riding is a thrilling enjoyable pursuit. I believe much of what makes it so fun is the "edge" that comes with riding two wheels in a 4, 6, 18 wheel world. Pushing the limit, at least a little, is part of what makes it so fun.

But, for the life of me, I can't understand why folks hit the hiways and byways poorly equipped to deal with a crash.

But, to each his own I guess. I am VERY glad your husband chose to be prepared "just in case" and even happier to hear he walked, err.... rode away.

Best of luck as you return to the road.

Rubber side down and shiny side up!

 

Over the weekend a man hit a deer west of town (Billings, MT) on his bike on I-90. He survived the collision, but what he didn't survive was being tossed under the tractor trailer behind him.

 

I have been riding motorcycles for about 30 years. I have seen alot of accidents. Deer, dogs, carelessness, stupid car drivers not paying attention. The ones that walk away are the ones best prepared, and by the grace of God can ride again. I say we kill all the deer.(just kidding)

 

Glad all is well, makes you think twice when your on those country twisties..

 

I'm glad to hear he's alright. You are both very lucky! Also good to hear that he got right back on that horse.. err.. iron horse. We've had a few people in town in the last 5 or 10 years that were killed or seriously injured riding motorcycles. They are a little too risky for me, especially in the NJ area. Too many deer, stupid people on cell phones, aggressive drivers, did I mention stupid people on cell phones?? I'd love to get a motorcycle, but not around here.. maybe if I lived in a lesser densly populated area..

 

Over Labor Day weekend, we have a friend of the family that hit a deer at over 75 mph on his Harley. He was wearing a short sleeved shirt, blue jeans and work boots. That is all he was wearing. No protection at all. Needless to say we are now all praying for him. I believe deep down some are praying the Good Lord to go ahead and take him. If you saw him and knew him and how he lived, you would understand why.

 

We have some friends that ride their harley. All they wear is their " doo rag" on their head...oh and of course their black leather jacket to " look cool ". I ask why the doo rag?? is it to hold their brains in one chunk when it exits their skull??????? My wife tells em they sure must not love their 2 little gorgeous girls riding with no protection..... the wife has never been one for biting her tongue lol

 

Glad to hear he's okay. Guess the dear didnt make it.
Fordafied, hope it all turns out for the best...however that may be.

My wife and I are saving up for a bike. Used to have good times back a while ago. I raced MX for years, rode on the road for a few years. She says no expressway riding in downtown San Antonio or Austin. Says if I do, she'll bash my brains out for me.
After seeing that little thing knock my brother n law accross the room.....I'm thinking she means it.