I had an enounter of the weirdest kind.

[Hiram E. Varona_imp]

It's been over a year since I've ventured to make any posts on this Forum. For one I don't have a connection for my laptop (I'm at my local library) and have not kept in touch as I did in the past.

I'm writing this in hopes of hearing from anyone that may have had a similar experience. I ride my bike every Saturday and Sunday (rain permitting) and usually put over 250 miles in a weekend. My bike is nearing the 30'000 mile mark and so far she runs like a Swiss watch. A about a month ago while on the Tamiami Trail about 20 miles east of Naples Florida I noticed a dark shape heading at me while motoring along at about 65 miles an hour. In less time than I could manage to avoid the impact, I struck a vulture that had been feeding on a dead animal on the side of the road. The giant bird struck my left turn signal and my left knee. I thought of stopping and reassessing what damage that may have been done, but I pressed on. When I did stop to look at the bike I found that the bird had not only broken off my turn signal, but that it had dented my fuel tank. My knee was sore but nothing compared to the hurt I felt for my beautiful machine.

I contacted my insurance company ( I have a full cover policy on the bike) and found out that I have a $1,000.00 deductible. The cost of the tank is about a $1,000.00 and the turn signal is about $60.00. My bike is now riding around with a dent, and a missing turn signal. I've passed the spot of my vulture encounter, and the carcass is now gone. Only my scars on my beautiful Honda remain. Has anyone here ever have a similar incident? When I do all my repairs, I'm thinking of putting a decal on my new tank of a turkey buzzard. I just hope that I don't become the first vulture ace in South Florida.

[KiowaEagle_imp]

Those suckers are big! Glad to hear it wasn't worse. I like the decal idea though.

I had a near miss with a turkey last weekend. This place is going to the birds!

[johnf514_imp]

Glad that vulture encounter didn't result in making you roadkill, Hiram. Close call, those guys are big.

I headbutted a smaller bird while riding under a bridge. Thankfully the top of my helmet took the brunt of the impact, but the bird went into a tailspin and did not recover.

[Cormanus]

G’day Hiram. It’s good to hear you’re still around, although I’m sorry for the circumstances that bought you back. I’ve a sad record with bird strikes. I think I’m up to 4, although it may only be 3. Luckily for me they’ve all been small and have done no damage. I did once hit one with my right mirror, but it simply spun on its mount.

I think you should go with the decal. I’d ask you to post a picture, but I recall that might be a sore point.

Best wishes.

[Hiram E. Varona_imp]

G’day Hiram. It’s good to hear you’re still around, although I’m sorry for the circumstances that bought you back. I’ve a sad record with bird strikes. I think I’m up to 4, although it may only be 3. Luckily for me they’ve all been small and have done no damage. I did once hit one with my right mirror, but it simply spun on its mount.

I think you should go with the decal. I’d ask you to post a picture, but I recall that might be a sore point.

Best wishes.

Sir. it is a pleasure to hear from you again. No, I don't think it would be possible to post pictures, but it is nice to know you are also still around.

[Houtman_imp]

Last week suddenly a large ground hog run out of the grass right into the path of my bike , I run over it with the front and rear wheel but no crash. He/she paid with its life ! It was still laying on the road a few hours later.

[parm_94_imp]

One night I rode my CB550 across a wooden bridge to an island called Westham island. On the way back a bat hit my right mirror at approx 40kmh and squirmed away. Later that night my key also flew out if the ignition. It was hilarious.

[Obleo]

I have had a run in with a turkey. In my pickup. Smashed the whole windshield,glad I wasn’t on my bike ,if it was probably wouldn’t be here writing this.

[mechanic58_imp]

I had one of these bastards crash completey through the windshield of a ‘71 Pontiac Ventura I was driving in Texas in 2008. I nearly crashed the car as a result. The bloodied bird was on the seat with me, flopping all over the place. I finally got the car stopped and had to drag it out of the car and stomp it to death. It was a terrorizing encounter to say the least. Miraculously, the only damage to the car was just the windshield glass.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

I've clipped a turkey on the BRP with my right peg/foot. Not fun.
Been smacked in the chest with a smaller bird. Also, not fun. At least it wasn't a turkey!