I'm disappointed in my skills...

[deacon]

Went out for a ride last night since it was a beautiful July evening.  I was cruising along a back country road when a cat ran out in front of me.  It's been a long time since I've had to use any evasive maneuvers.  I was less concerned about the wellfare of the cat (although I'm an animal lover) and more concerned about what would happen to my control if I did hit it.  Well, in the split second I had to react, all I could muster was hitting the brakes just hard enough to miss it. 

I'd like to think I could do more than a straight emergency brake in that situation, maybe a nice controlled swerve or something.  It got me thinking, is it time to take a course again, is it possible to teach yourself how to react better in those situations without actually putting yourself in them?

Just frustrated.

Dan

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Not to say you should kill cats but the best thing to do with a cat or any small animal is maintain your course rather than swerve. Your more liable to wreck swerving then it would be to hit the cat.

MHO.

Raymond

[Michael K (Az.)]

Shows that in this instance, putting on the binders was the right decision. Your goals were accomplished. No squashy, No wrecky!

[Jabba]

I say... when you are the only vehicle around... on a lonely road, or deserted parking lot... practice.  We all find ourselves in those situations sometimes.  I practice braking by identifying a mark in the pavement.  Then challenging myself to NOT hit the brakes till the last possible instant, and still stop by my intended mark.  I do swervy drills too, but they are a little harder to do, and no matter what... you can anticipate your own decisions.  But having to avoid things in the road as you go is always good practice.  I think you develop a FEEL for the bike, and whay it can and can't do... and soon, your Butt will be smarter than your brain when it comes to things like that.

JMHO.

Jabba

[Momz]

Several years back my wife and I were traveling on the I94 expressway in Detroit at about 70 MPH. When all of a sudden a german shepard ran down the embankment and directly in my path. I did not have time to brace my self, but I did hit the front brakes (didn't slow down much) and hit the dog right across the mid section. The impact threw both of us at least a foot off of the seat, and I felt the ribs breaking under my wheels, but the bike continued straight. We pulled off at the next available exit to compose ourselves and check for damages.
The bike showed no apparent damage and tracked straight and true, how ever both of us had sore backs,arms and bruises on our backsides for at least a week.

Two years later I was on the E.N. Hines parkway when I saw two geese on the shoulder. I slowed down and they seemed to walk away from the roadway, then they again went on to the shoulder and all of a sudden they both ran out into the road. I braked hard and swerved, but geese are dumb. Both ran into my bike and were caught between my radiator and front fender. I gassed it and looked back, one was obviously dead and the other was crippled. The damage to my bike was minimal both I was still finding blood and feathers a month after the incident. 

I hate the thought of killing any animals, but my life is far more important,...to me at least.

[humshark]

is it possible to teach yourself how to react better in those situations without actually putting yourself in them?

YES!  I have a buddy that, like you, wants to improve his skills.  I slipped him my Ride Like a Pro, and since then we get together at the local church parking lot and do drills.

I was disappointed in my slow maneuvering on the Valk.  I really thought that I had better control of the big gal.  My buddy was on a V-star 650 and he initially had trouble as well.

After a few practices - we are both markedly improved in all the exercises we came up with.  I notice that I do tend to physically turn my head more than ever when departing left or right or simply riding around town.

I practice swerve and brake as well.  I can tell those that have been riding for a while or have practiced usually by watching a good sharp right turn.  I have since caught myself more that a few times doing what is natural, but not correct for riding.  I change the behavior now so that it becomes instinct later! 

[Chrisj CMA]

There is not a domestic cat big enough to upset a Valkyrie if you use the right technique to "properly" run over a small animal.  I did this with a 40lb lab in the last year or so and the bike didnt even wobble or shimmy, just thud thud and the dog was DRT (dead right there)

1. Never swerve

2. Never swerve

3. Slow down as much as possible but downshift as you do so.....

4. If you are going to hit it....you will be in the right gear to be ON THE GAS HARD and fly right through it

[Jess from VA]

Braking in a straight line, or holding steady and driving thru a small animal like a cat are both ok.

For best controlled and quick swerves, which I probably would not have done in your scenerio, use counter steering.  This is taught in MSF, and should be mastered by all riders.  A quick counter steer can get you 3-4 feet to either side nearly instantly with little risk.....except of course in a hard turn.

You should also have a mind set in place when riding (or driving a car for that matter).  My mindset is I will never risk myself or my vehicle for any animal period.  That said, I have many times slowed or moved (and signaled drivers behind me) to avoid turtles (I have also stopped and helped these guys across the road), ma and ducklings in a line, and other animals.  In many locations I ride, I am constantly on the lookout for f-ing deer.  But small stuff that runs out in front of me is doomed if it runs under my wheels.  I have also maneuvered to kick/launch unleashed dogs who want to chase the bike.  My wife has nearly wrecked or gone in the ditch on multiple occasions for squirrels; she is a squirrel for doing this.  I have never laid a finger on her in 23 years but have promised her a severe spanking if she wrecks a car over an animal.   

[Tundra]

Sounds like a success! Your alive, the cat's alive, no scratches on the Valk  

[Duey]

.

[humshark]

If you hit and kill a goose in WI I belive you are liable for simular penalties.

Other than that - What chris said +1

1. Never swerve

2. Never swerve

3. Slow down as much as possible but downshift as you do so.....

4. If you are going to hit it....you will be in the right gear to be ON THE GAS HARD and fly right through it

[Doc Moose]

If you hit and kill a goose in WI I believe you are liable for simular penalties.

Pretty severe!  Even if you show evidence of trying to avoid? Must like their geese!

[MP]

So, like most wacko places, animal life is more important than human life.  How sad.
MP

[Goody]

To answer anaother part of your question.
Never hit a Manhole Cover. 
Seriously its good practice.
They sneak up on you and sudldenly they are there. 
Cover brake and an clutch incase I need it as last resort
You look to the left somethin catches eye
immidiatly to the right nothing
Countersteer slight swerve
No Thump thump
Ha! Missed another one you suckers. 

Cat suddenly in your path
Cover brake and clutch
You look to the left
your addrenline is pumping
Cat should have lost one of his nine lives
You just saved yours
Ha! missed  another one of you suckers.

Although I recently hit a rabbit surprizing how fast one of those little critters can turn.
Felt bad for the bunny! 
Felt good to feel bad about the bunny.
He could have made it to the other side and I would be in the middle of the road.

Works for me! 
Goody

[Duffy]

Speaking of practice...  ....

The North Georgia Motorcycle Club has a slow speed manuvers "ride" this Saturday in Cumming, GA.

Details: http://www.ngamc.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1810


Come join us. 

[NITRO]

If you hit and kill a goose in WI I belive you are liable for simular penalties.

I've never heard this, but I wouldn't doubt it. Of course, I haven't seen many geese in all the years I've lived here.