Pheasant on the noggin

[L3nny]

Went over to my mate's last night, got to a long straight and as I could see a long way pulled out early to overtake a car, not going that fast maybe 80ish.

As I start to overtake the car I saw it starting to brake, then I saw the fat useless creature emerg from in front of the car and attempt to take flight.

I duck but the thing takes a glancing blow just above the visor.

OMFG did it hurt, I was seeing stars and was convinced my helmet was going to be cracked so I pull over, nice lady in the car stops to see if I am okay.

Helmet looks fine but I am still a little dazed but it's probably more shock than the actual force of the impact.

Get back on the bike and carry on my way. Then 10 minutes later I start thinking, what if that was a few inches lower and went through my visor and I haven't really been able to think of anything else since. I haven't had an off since I started biking but things like this remind me it's only a matter of time before I do and no matter what you do there are thing out to get you beyond your control.

Still got a bit of a headache as well.

is it worth contemplating? The more you think about it the more you will worry!

You should think along the lines of
'If only i took it back home for dinner;next time perhaps...'

Things like that are a seldom occurrence, but good save and glad to hear you're alright!

Is it wise to buy a new helmet?

[L3nny]

I know I shouldn't worry about it and an hour later was hooning about as usual, just makes you stop and think that's all, especailly when the pounding headache won't let you forget.

I was thinking about a new helmet. There is no visible damage to it but I know that the padding could be damaged underneath. I'll take the lining out and see if it's okay but it wasn't the best helmet anyway so might just get a new one.

The mate I was going to see is a hunter gatherer type so knows how to gut them, couldn't really be bothered to go back and find it. Plus the thought of riding with a twitching corpse stuffed down my jacket wasn't too appealing lol.

Try not to over analyze things (wish i could heed my own advice) otherwise it dominates your focus.
I've had a few close calls with bird strikes but non contact so far, but many on here have and stayed on, so its not a certainty you'll bin it.

You will forget about it in a few days and get back to normal.



Phil

Its a shame you dont have that knowledge really, could of fryed it there and then on your exhaust!

I've seen footage of a biker take a pheasant right through the visor. Suffice to say he looked like the elephant man with all the swelling, face covered in blood and feathers, not a pretty sight. Eyelids swollen so he couldn't see, couldn't really talk. The guys took a pheasant right to the face on a straight and ended up in a ditch in the side of the road. He recovered though.

But you're okay so that's all that matters.

[L3nny]

The day I told my missus I was doing my bike test she had read this in the paper.

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...sant/5863.html

My main worry was that if I had of come off I would have had to live with "I told you so"

[Red Herring]

I wouldn't worry to much about it but reflecting on it and considering what you might do differently next time is healthy enough. Most crashes involving birds (the feathered variety) are caused by the rider over reacting and going off the road as a consequence (swerving to avoid rabbits and such like is also well up there) rather than you being knocked off by the animal itself, so it's probably better to just grin and bear it so to speak. Whilst your thinking it over consider what you might have done if the car driver had swerved instead of braking...?

My wife wasnt keen when i passed my test but has come round now, she still thinks its dangerous but rides pillion a fair bit now.
If we ever bin the bike while she is on it i know she'll never get on again so im especially careful when she's on the back.

Hadnt seen that story before regarding that guy being killed by the pheasant, poor bloke

Glad u aint injured by the collision mate. Looks like i`ll have to strap a couple of machine guns on the side of the bike or get a rack on the back with a bbq

Plus its not every day u get to brag about nobbling a bird with ur helmet.