Hit a squirrel today...

THE BIG SITT · October 18th, 2011, 01:31 PM

… well almost

While test riding my bike in my neighborhood today, a couple of dueling squirrels darted into the street and only by the grace of God did I not hit one of them. Really scared the crap outta me though…

Have any of you guys ran over an animal? If so, what were the results?

Racer x · October 18th, 2011, 01:39 PM

I love squirrels. They are gathering nuts and looking for love this time of year. I hate to see them dead in the road. But they make bad choices. They tend to turn back and run under the wheels.

bluepoof · October 18th, 2011, 01:47 PM

I've hit a squirrel. Ran right out in front of me and ran straight into my front tire.

I didn't stop to confirm the results but my friend riding behind me confirmed that it bounced off my bike and was pretty dead. I felt badly, but what can you do?

Amazingly, in 12 years of riding, I think that's the only animal I've ever actually hit (not counting bugs

). Came close a bunch of times.

WhiteRice · October 18th, 2011, 01:52 PM

On one of our group rides I hit a squirrel; ran right into my front wheel. Thought I hit a bag of chips. Wasn't until we pulled up to a light and someone said something that I realized.

Racer x · October 18th, 2011, 01:57 PM

I was riding a bicycle in a pace line. A squirrel ran into the guy in front of me . He hit the wheel and flew streight up in the air. I ducked and the guy behind me said the squirrel went down my back and ran off into the woods.

Alex · October 18th, 2011, 02:26 PM

I've hit countless furry little monsters over the years. A while back, a rider in front of me ran over a snake and launched it at my bike, hitting the side fairing.

General rule of thumb as you spot a critter is the meal approach. I.E., if you could eat it in a single meal, it's not wise to take any unnecessary evasive maneuvers. But - if looks like something that would take a couple sittings, you might want to try harder to avoid it.

/moved to General, not about a particular crash

gfloyd2002 · October 18th, 2011, 02:33 PM

Squirrel? Could be worse.

Link to original page on YouTube.

THE BIG SITT · October 18th, 2011, 02:38 PM

Hmmm… I know a squirrel is small and all, I just figured running over such a thing would almost certainly result in me laying down the bike! Can't imagine hitting a deer… ouch

rusninja · October 18th, 2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I've hit countless furry little monsters over the years. A while back, a rider in front of me ran over a snake and launched it at my bike, hitting the side fairing.

Where was this

choneofakind · October 18th, 2011, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

General rule of thumb as you spot a critter is the meal approach. I.E., if you could eat it in a single meal, it's not wise to take any unnecessary evasive maneuvers. But - if looks like something that would take a couple sittings, you might want to try harder to avoid it.

it all comes back to the stomach in s man's brain.

I've hit a frog with my ninja. Had a frog leg stuck to the back edge of the front wheel fender until I cleaned it off. yuck

itsa250bro · October 18th, 2011, 04:26 PM

Flying snakes - yikes that is scary...

My MSF instructor gave a similar "size" avoidance approach. He said - squirrels, don't even worry about them 99% of the time they will get out of the way. He even said he had a pet cat and dog that he loved dearly. But, if the cat ran outside to greet him when he got home - he was running her over - no questions asked. If the dog ran out to see him - he would really try to avoid it because the dog was over 100 lbs.

Mr.E · October 18th, 2011, 04:51 PM

Did anyone else think of Akima when they read the title

lol.

Anywho, never on my bike. But in the car, its like the old geico commercials. I always swerve to avoid them or slam on the breaks. I feel like they high five each other after I drive off. x-(

bluepoof · October 18th, 2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsa250bro

My MSF instructor gave a similar "size" avoidance approach. He said - squirrels, don't even worry about them 99% of the time they will get out of the way. He even said he had a pet cat and dog that he loved dearly. But, if the cat ran outside to greet him when he got home - he was running her over - no questions asked. If the dog ran out to see him - he would really try to avoid it because the dog was over 100 lbs.

+1. I go with "bigger than a breadbox".

coondog · October 19th, 2011, 08:41 AM

I bagged avoiding a squirrel, since that incident they're DOA if they're in front of my tire. No, it doesn't feel good, for those of you who hate rats with tails. I don't have tiny squirrel stickers slapped onto my tank side. Only been 2 anyway, for me 2 too many.

akima · October 19th, 2011, 09:06 AM

* pops up her head *

Lil_Green_Demon · October 19th, 2011, 09:35 AM

I've ran over a snake & ALMOST ran over a tarantula once. Stupid critters.. Never look both ways before crossing the road.

Don't their parents teach them anything before sending them out alone in this big world?

rusninja · October 19th, 2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil_Green_Demon

I've ran over a snake & ALMOST ran over a tarantula once. Stupid critters.. Never look both ways before crossing the road.

Don't their parents teach them anything before sending them out alone in this big world?

Is this on regular public roads or more twistys :O

CodeProofMonk · October 19th, 2011, 09:54 AM

I didn't really run it over, but I've been hit in the chest by pigeons a couple of times now. Hurts more than you'd expect!

Lil_Green_Demon · October 19th, 2011, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusninja

Is this on regular public roads or more twistys :O

The snake was outside my parents' neighborhood & the tarantula was on GMR.

rusninja · October 19th, 2011, 10:39 AM

I hate those things the most :[

October 18th, 2011, 01:31 PM	#1
THE BIG SITT ninjette.org sage Name: Andy Location: Indianapolis Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 771	Hit a squirrel today... … well almost While test riding my bike in my neighborhood today, a couple of dueling squirrels darted into the street and only by the grace of God did I not hit one of them. Really scared the crap outta me though… Have any of you guys ran over an animal? If so, what were the results?

October 18th, 2011, 01:47 PM	#3
bluepoof ninjette.org sage Name: Carolyn Location: San Carlos, CA Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250, 2002 Yamaha XT225 Posts: 597	I've hit a squirrel. Ran right out in front of me and ran straight into my front tire. I didn't stop to confirm the results but my friend riding behind me confirmed that it bounced off my bike and was pretty dead. I felt badly, but what can you do? Amazingly, in 12 years of riding, I think that's the only animal I've ever actually hit (not counting bugs ). Came close a bunch of times. __________________________________________________ www.bluepoof.com

October 18th, 2011, 02:26 PM	#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	I've hit countless furry little monsters over the years. A while back, a rider in front of me ran over a snake and launched it at my bike, hitting the side fairing. General rule of thumb as you spot a critter is the meal approach. I.E., if you could eat it in a single meal, it's not wise to take any unnecessary evasive maneuvers. But - if looks like something that would take a couple sittings, you might want to try harder to avoid it. /moved to General, not about a particular crash __________________________________________________ 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)

October 18th, 2011, 02:33 PM	#7
gfloyd2002 User Title Free Since '12 Name: Floyd Location: Barbados Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 13 MOTM - Feb '12	Squirrel? Could be worse. Link to original page on YouTube. __________________________________________________ "Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake

October 18th, 2011, 04:51 PM	#12
Mr.E That rider dude. Name: Eric Location: Orlando, Fl. Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 White Ninja 250 SE. Posts: A lot.	Did anyone else think of Akima when they read the title lol. Anywho, never on my bike. But in the car, its like the old geico commercials. I always swerve to avoid them or slam on the breaks. I feel like they high five each other after I drive off. x-( __________________________________________________ Mods: flushmount Led front binkers, diode mod, pazzo levers, clear tank pad, racing replica grips, bike monkeys integrated tal light, zx-2r vinyls, rearsets, red bar ends, and more red accented stuff.

October 18th, 2011, 01:39 PM	#2
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	I love squirrels. They are gathering nuts and looking for love this time of year. I hate to see them dead in the road. But they make bad choices. They tend to turn back and run under the wheels.

October 18th, 2011, 01:52 PM	#4
WhiteRice Kamikaze Squirrel Name: Zach Location: NJ Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r Posts: 300	On one of our group rides I hit a squirrel; ran right into my front wheel. Thought I hit a bag of chips. Wasn't until we pulled up to a light and someone said something that I realized.

October 18th, 2011, 01:57 PM	#5
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	I was riding a bicycle in a pace line. A squirrel ran into the guy in front of me . He hit the wheel and flew streight up in the air. I ducked and the guy behind me said the squirrel went down my back and ran off into the woods.

October 18th, 2011, 02:38 PM	#8
THE BIG SITT ninjette.org sage Name: Andy Location: Indianapolis Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 771	Hmmm… I know a squirrel is small and all, I just figured running over such a thing would almost certainly result in me laying down the bike! Can't imagine hitting a deer… ouch

October 18th, 2011, 04:26 PM	#11
itsa250bro ninjette.org member Name: Tommy Location: Flemington, NJ Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 CP Blue Posts: 149	Flying snakes - yikes that is scary... My MSF instructor gave a similar "size" avoidance approach. He said - squirrels, don't even worry about them 99% of the time they will get out of the way. He even said he had a pet cat and dog that he loved dearly. But, if the cat ran outside to greet him when he got home - he was running her over - no questions asked. If the dog ran out to see him - he would really try to avoid it because the dog was over 100 lbs.

October 19th, 2011, 08:41 AM	#14
coondog ninjette.org sage Name: john Location: Palm Beach County, Fl Sligo County, Eire Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 street fighter, 2008 street fighter ninja 500, 2001 nsr 125 Posts: 812	I bagged avoiding a squirrel, since that incident they're DOA if they're in front of my tire. No, it doesn't feel good, for those of you who hate rats with tails. I don't have tiny squirrel stickers slapped onto my tank side. Only been 2 anyway, for me 2 too many.

October 19th, 2011, 09:06 AM	#15
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	* pops up her head *

October 19th, 2011, 09:35 AM	#16
Lil_Green_Demon Winging It In Life Name: Umar Location: SoCal Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R; 2011 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	I've ran over a snake & ALMOST ran over a tarantula once. Stupid critters.. Never look both ways before crossing the road. Don't their parents teach them anything before sending them out alone in this big world? __________________________________________________ 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - Apr 22, 2011; Sold - Feb 17, 2015) 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - May 01, 2017; Current)

October 19th, 2011, 09:54 AM	#18
CodeProofMonk ninjette.org member Name: Patrick Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2001 EX250 Posts: 16	I didn't really run it over, but I've been hit in the chest by pigeons a couple of times now. Hurts more than you'd expect!

October 19th, 2011, 10:39 AM	#20
rusninja Ninjette wanabe :D Name: Ruslan Location: San Jose Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): white 300 :D Posts: A lot.	I hate those things the most :[ __________________________________________________ VROOOM vrooom >.>

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