hit a raccoon

arneson2790 · March 30th, 2013, 02:11 AM

I hit a raccoon on my 2007 ninja 250 last week. I was doing about 35 mph. the speed limit on the road i was on is 45, but it was raining so i was going slower. i had all my gear on luckily but my bike is totalled now. when i fell, the bike slid about 100 feet into a curb and bent my front rim and handlebars. the plastics are all broken and it tore off my right side exhaust. This was my first bike and im going to miss it. I spent the night in the hospital and got out the next day. i broke my finger and injured my left knee. Im ok but who the hell hits a raccoon? lucky me i guess lol.

StephenA · March 30th, 2013, 02:17 AM

Holy crap glad you're ok man. Also how's the raccoon doinG?
Posted via Mobile Device

arneson2790 · March 30th, 2013, 02:20 AM

the raccoon got up and ran away. It was limping really bad. It ran right in front of me. I hit in in its side. It had to have died somewhere. It was definitley hurt bad.

psych0hans · March 30th, 2013, 02:53 AM

sucks to hear that... I'm glad you weren't too badly hurt. Heal quick and get back in the saddle

vman1313 · March 30th, 2013, 04:43 AM

Oh man...so sorry to hear bro! I live in GA and I have had many close calls with groundhogs, racoons, and possums. I have always wondered who would win but sounds like I dont want to find out. Did you hit it straight on OR did you try to swerve and thats why you wrecked? I always figured between a 300lb+ bike and me being 200lb+...we would just go right thru the critter...

Alex · March 30th, 2013, 06:24 AM

Sorry for your get-off! Animals are tricky. I've run over raccoons before, and they are about the limit of what you choose to hit rather than avoid. One time was late at night, coming around a corner and having a whole family of them walking across the road.

The strategy is to quickly determine whether you really need to try and avoid the animal, or whether you're going to try and keep the bike stable after hitting the animal. The general rule is if you can eat it in one sitting, you don't swerve; and a raccoon is borderline. The key part is that you can't do both, i.e. attempt to swerve and then hit the animal anyway while swerving, as then the bike could be upset enough when you hit it and possibly lose traction to cause an accident.

Glad your injuries didn't sound too serious, and hope you're able to get back on two wheels soon.

CC Cowboy · March 30th, 2013, 06:27 AM

Reminds me of the commercial with the squirrels. There has been many studies that wild animals are tired of being hurted and are retaliating against human. You really can't blame them. I think PETA is involved.

Motofool · March 30th, 2013, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arneson2790

the raccoon got up and ran away. It was limping really bad. It ran right in front of me. I hit in in its side. It had to have died somewhere. It was definitley hurt bad.

Sorry to read this, Jon.

What did you do that made you fall?
What could you have done differently?

As Alex explained, just rolling over the unfortunate creature is the best approach in most cases: no brakes and standing on the pegs help.

Wish you a quick recovery

rojoracing53 · March 30th, 2013, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arneson2790

the raccoon got up and ran away. It was limping really bad. It ran right in front of me. I hit in in its side. It had to have died somewhere. It was definitley hurt bad.

File your claim under "hit and run" since the raccoon clearly didn't stick around long enough to give you their insurance info.

pomartin · March 30th, 2013, 06:57 AM

what motofool said..
i succesfuly taked down a fox that way

aeroblade · March 30th, 2013, 07:45 AM

We should install something like a snow plow lol. With that we can elegantly plow the raccoon or any other little critters over to the side

NevadaWolf · March 30th, 2013, 09:13 AM

This reminds me of a pet peeve I have with some car insurance policies...

If you hit an animal, not at fault.
If you swerve to avoid the animal, and hit something else (guardrail, tree), at fault.

Looking at the size of some critters, I'd rather take my chances with an inanimate object than something with hooves, teeth, and horns!

Sorry to hear about the wreck. Glad you're ok and hope you can get back on the road again with two wheels soon!

lgk · March 30th, 2013, 04:25 PM

Hit a muskrat before, it was like getting bucked by a mechanical bull.

Didnt get a chance to even setup a swerve, just straightened up and braced for impact.

arneson2790 · March 31st, 2013, 01:26 AM

I had no time to react. It came out from behind a tree and diapered over my handlebars. I didnt know what I hit until i looked back and saw the raccoon laying in the road. The los angeles sheriff department said if i swerved and hit something it would be my fault but since it ran out in front of me, im not at fault. The sheriff car said he was right on the side of the road and caught the raccoon run out and me hit it on his dash cam. Im gonna try to get a copy of the tape.

xtrapsi · March 31st, 2013, 08:55 AM

I almost hit one on the highway going 70. He was huge...looked like 30lbs! He ran out between me and the car in front and I barely had time to react. All I got in was a gasp and a head raise. Luckily he changed his mind once he hit the middle line and went back the other way or that would have been a bad night.

Glad you are ok.

March 30th, 2013, 02:11 AM	#1
arneson2790 ninjette.org member Name: Jon Location: Torrance Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250, 1989 kz1000, 1991 katana 600 Posts: 13	hit a raccoon I hit a raccoon on my 2007 ninja 250 last week. I was doing about 35 mph. the speed limit on the road i was on is 45, but it was raining so i was going slower. i had all my gear on luckily but my bike is totalled now. when i fell, the bike slid about 100 feet into a curb and bent my front rim and handlebars. the plastics are all broken and it tore off my right side exhaust. This was my first bike and im going to miss it. I spent the night in the hospital and got out the next day. i broke my finger and injured my left knee. Im ok but who the hell hits a raccoon? lucky me i guess lol.

March 30th, 2013, 02:17 AM	#2
StephenA Riding Ruby.. Name: Stephen Location: SoCal Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec, 2007 Ninja 250R Posts: 392	Holy crap glad you're ok man. Also how's the raccoon doinG? Posted via Mobile Device
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

March 30th, 2013, 02:53 AM	#4
psych0hans ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Hansveer Location: Bombay, India Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r - Track whore, Ninja 300 - SOLD, KTM RC390 - Orange Hulk, Ducati 899 Panigale - Red Devil. Posts: A lot.	sucks to hear that... I'm glad you weren't too badly hurt. Heal quick and get back in the saddle __________________________________________________ GETTING BACK INTO RIDING? Read this.

March 30th, 2013, 04:43 AM	#5
vman1313 ninjette.org sage Name: Tony Location: Buford, GA Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '14 Honda NC700X; '14 Honda CRF250L; '07 Lifan 200 Posts: 623	Oh man...so sorry to hear bro! I live in GA and I have had many close calls with groundhogs, racoons, and possums. I have always wondered who would win but sounds like I dont want to find out. Did you hit it straight on OR did you try to swerve and thats why you wrecked? I always figured between a 300lb+ bike and me being 200lb+...we would just go right thru the critter... __________________________________________________ www.northgariders.com NuBe4Life!!!

March 30th, 2013, 06:24 AM	#6
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Sorry for your get-off! Animals are tricky. I've run over raccoons before, and they are about the limit of what you choose to hit rather than avoid. One time was late at night, coming around a corner and having a whole family of them walking across the road. The strategy is to quickly determine whether you really need to try and avoid the animal, or whether you're going to try and keep the bike stable after hitting the animal. The general rule is if you can eat it in one sitting, you don't swerve; and a raccoon is borderline. The key part is that you can't do both, i.e. attempt to swerve and then hit the animal anyway while swerving, as then the bike could be upset enough when you hit it and possibly lose traction to cause an accident. Glad your injuries didn't sound too serious, and hope you're able to get back on two wheels soon. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

March 30th, 2013, 02:20 AM	#3
arneson2790 ninjette.org member Name: Jon Location: Torrance Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250, 1989 kz1000, 1991 katana 600 Posts: 13	the raccoon got up and ran away. It was limping really bad. It ran right in front of me. I hit in in its side. It had to have died somewhere. It was definitley hurt bad.

March 30th, 2013, 06:27 AM	#7
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Reminds me of the commercial with the squirrels. There has been many studies that wild animals are tired of being hurted and are retaliating against human. You really can't blame them. I think PETA is involved. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

March 30th, 2013, 06:57 AM	#10
pomartin ninjette.org member Name: Martin Location: Slovenia Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R (FI) Posts: 169	what motofool said.. i succesfuly taked down a fox that way

March 30th, 2013, 07:45 AM	#11
aeroblade Doh! Name: Matt Location: Locating GPS... Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250r Posts: 286	We should install something like a snow plow lol. With that we can elegantly plow the raccoon or any other little critters over to the side

March 30th, 2013, 09:13 AM	#12
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	This reminds me of a pet peeve I have with some car insurance policies... If you hit an animal, not at fault. If you swerve to avoid the animal, and hit something else (guardrail, tree), at fault. Looking at the size of some critters, I'd rather take my chances with an inanimate object than something with hooves, teeth, and horns! Sorry to hear about the wreck. Glad you're ok and hope you can get back on the road again with two wheels soon! __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

March 30th, 2013, 04:25 PM	#13
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	Hit a muskrat before, it was like getting bucked by a mechanical bull. Didnt get a chance to even setup a swerve, just straightened up and braced for impact. __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

March 31st, 2013, 01:26 AM	#14
arneson2790 ninjette.org member Name: Jon Location: Torrance Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250, 1989 kz1000, 1991 katana 600 Posts: 13	I had no time to react. It came out from behind a tree and diapered over my handlebars. I didnt know what I hit until i looked back and saw the raccoon laying in the road. The los angeles sheriff department said if i swerved and hit something it would be my fault but since it ran out in front of me, im not at fault. The sheriff car said he was right on the side of the road and caught the raccoon run out and me hit it on his dash cam. Im gonna try to get a copy of the tape.

March 31st, 2013, 08:55 AM	#15
xtrapsi newbie Name: Gregg Location: Cape May, NJ Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2013 300 ABS Posts: 83	I almost hit one on the highway going 70. He was huge...looked like 30lbs! He ran out between me and the car in front and I barely had time to react. All I got in was a gasp and a head raise. Luckily he changed his mind once he hit the middle line and went back the other way or that would have been a bad night. Glad you are ok. __________________________________________________ So you will put frame sliders on the bike to protect the fairings but won't wear leathers to protect your skin???

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nearly hit a deer	Rifleman	General Motorcycling Discussion	4	July 31st, 2014 11:57 AM
Hit Girl	CC Cowboy	General Motorcycling Discussion	18	June 27th, 2014 09:37 AM
****er hit me.	ryan.chin	!%@*#$%!)@#&!%@ I crashed!	67	September 13th, 2012 09:44 AM
Hit and Run	kchava	!%@*#$%!)@#&!%@ I crashed!	24	September 10th, 2012 03:19 PM
Found an orphaned baby raccoon. :( Meet Amika.	CZroe	Off-Topic	10	May 12th, 2012 07:53 AM