Bird-Strike!

Cuppa · Mar 22, 2011

Hi all.

Returning home after a service, I full-on nailed a pheasant. As you can see from the photos, it's made a bit of a mess of my RSV. Some of the bird came through the screen and hit me in the chest, although I think most of it went around the side. Naturally there was quite an impressive explosion of feathers and blood.

There's no real point to this post other than to seek words of sympathy, provoke thought (what if that had hit me in the face) but most likely, just encourage puns (not a pheasant experience).

Obviously if anyone has an O/S headlight, the inner/outer Cornice parts from the air duct or the grid (again, from the air duct), I would like to hear from you. I do also need the front fairing, but will probably buy that new as the bike is mint (correction: was mint).

theruck · Mar 22, 2011

r u sure that it was only one of them? how come he broke the windscreen and also the reflector? what was the value on your speedo when it happened?

Cuppa · Mar 22, 2011

Yes - definitely only one (although it was in many parts after the impact). It was a large pheasant that flew out of a hedge, so the bird was travelling right to left from my perspective. It was longer than the width of the bike, so hit the whole frontal area at once. You can see the feather imprints on the carbon next to the broken headlight.

It was on a UK B-road, so I was obviously only doing 60mph. Although the damage appears more consistent with more of a 70-80mph impact, I would guess.

apriliamoto · Mar 22, 2011

Lol! Nasty! My make his a pheasant on his old NC30 a few year ago, hes a quicker rider than me and all I could see catching up were feathers floating to the floor lol. There were feathers in the radiator, messy.

Smithy-R · Mar 22, 2011

Ive hit a pigeon in the face once, visor shut luckily but they dont half weigh something when you're travelling national speed limit. stupid thing was sat in the middle of the road and i 'presumed' it would move. it did when my front wheel was about 6" from it haha.

RStuVR · Mar 22, 2011

Thats made a bit of a mess hasn't it !.

I've hit two birds, thankfully both small, (Blackbird & Sparrow), so I've gotten away lightly. Although I've run over two cats, one of which almost had me off !.

Although the damage is quite bad it could of been worse, luckily it hit the front of the bike and not you, I've seen people knocked off after being hit by one of these big bastids. At least you're OK buddy. :thumbup

apriliamoto · Mar 22, 2011

Bet that cat made a canny mess

Sabre · Mar 22, 2011

Smithy-R said:
Ive hit a pigeon in the face once,

Was it staring at your bird?

hahahahahaha geddit BIRD hahahaha . Ill get me coat

Beejay · Mar 22, 2011

Lucky an all that you didn't have more time to react!!.. braked, swerved and been picking bits of hedge out yer radiator and gravel out yer leathers!

Smithy-R · Mar 22, 2011

Sabre, it was! it didnt get off lightly i can assure you :thumbup

Cuppa · Mar 22, 2011

I'm a bit gutted that it's mashed the front of the bike (the pheasant was definitely more gutted!), but at the end of the day, it's just some plastic that needs replacing. I may not be the prettiest guy around - but I'm pleased I've still got a face!

The trouble is, thrown into exactly the same situation, I don't think I could do anything different. A fist full of front brake may have saved the bird, but wouldn't have done me (or the bike) any favours.

It must have looked awesome from behind - I'd not long overtaken a car.

Smithy-R · Mar 22, 2011

Rule number one : stay on the bike !
like you say bud, it couldve been a whole lot worse !! It is a shame it has damaged your plastics but can you imagine taking the obvious force involved directly to the chest? Unless you saw it coming and breathed out, it'd have your breath for breakfast ! In the face - probably loss of control of the bike ! lucky it wasnt a deer or similar !
the main thing is you're ok and the bike is still perfectly rideable ! great story for the grandkids

Dynamo · Mar 22, 2011

A bit of damage but at least you live to tell the tale m8

And yes the damage would seem more consistant with a 70-80mph impact :biggrin

bazza · Mar 24, 2011

Glad you are ok mate, one of my work mates dad was unfortunately killed by a very similar incident to yours!

davidrsurfer · Mar 24, 2011

Reminder of the value of a good quality crash helmet & visor. Smack in the mush by one of them would certainly have an eye out.

v_senna · Mar 24, 2011

I bet Elmo is in tears LOL

i've got me coat, im off to sesame street LOL

mark58 · Mar 26, 2011

Whoo De Ja Vu..Hit one last year on mine, went straight through the (MRA) screen and hit me full on the chest (lovely purple bruise next few days) where it stuck, had to grab it and throw it off me whilst trying to stop the bike. Thought it had smashed my fairing, but once I'd stopped I found it had missed any expensive plastics. Luckily I still had the original screen at home.
Sorry about dark pics, flash bust on the camera
Met a couple on here (Butch I believe) who came over at Squires to offer a spare screen (thanks).
Dumb birds those phreasants.

http://img811.imageshack.us/g/pheasantattack001.jpg/

Bird-Strike!

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Cuppa

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