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Oh Deer... again...

3737 Views 86 Replies 46 Participants Last post by  cycledude
With a sunny 60F-ish Maryland day it seemed time to give the 2018 DCT Wing a little exercise. The rural roads of northern Baltimore County are only a short hop away and I chose my favorite 70-mile loop that includes Prettyboy Reservoir. Heading home, at the 57-mile point, I was tailing a pickup truck at a comfortable distance, figuring deer would hear it and allow both of us safe passage.
No deal... we were doing about 45 mph when a large brown and white blur appeared, seemingly leaping right into me. I felt a "thud" and a slight leftward pull of the steering, but didn't go down and kept moving ahead. The bike seemed to be working fine, but some flapping plastic led me to stop to check the damage. Woah... the photo shows it. (I don't know where the deer ended up, right or left side. Maybe it heard the truck, then decided crossing the road was safe.)
After finishing the ride home I called my insurance company, then rode the 11 miles over to the dealer, a bit anxiously with plastic flapping at (slow lane) freeway speed. It awaits professional attention.
Next accessory: For sure, a deer whistle...
Tire Fuel tank Wheel Vehicle Automotive fuel system
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Good on you that you didn't go down. Good riding!

What time of day did you get hit?

Around here early morning riding just after daylight seems to have the most deer out around the backroads.
It was about 11:30 AM, bright and sunny. A decent time for avoiding deer, I thought!
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I wouldn’t be surprised if the insurance company totals it.
That's been suggested to me, Rudy. I'll be sorry if that happens... we've been over a lot of road together.
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Our discussion here may not go on much further, so I want to be sure to THANK YOU for your kind words, sympathy, encouragement, and advice. They really have made me feel better! Although we've never met in person (I think) our common interest allows you a better understanding of my situation than can be appreciated by non-riders.

As requested, I'll let you know the outcome... as I replied to Rudy2, I hope the insurance company doesn't total it, but I have no knowledge of the calculations that go into that decision. This Wing and I have been over a lot of road together, but it IS an inanimate object.

Thank you again... your kind words and advice are much appreciated. See you somewhere down the road!
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Here's the word on my incident: TOTALLED. Market $23.4K, repair cost $22.5K, Comprehensive reimbursement (market + sales tax + tag - deductible =) $24.2K. Bye bye, beautiful blue 2018 Wing.

I was surprised, but there may have been mechanical damage in addition to the obvious plastic stuff. This resolution seems fair to me, and I have no interest in delving into the details, and certainly no interest in trying to repair it myself. After two round-trip solos to Alaska, two to New Orleans, and one to Key West I had some emotional attachment to the bike, but reminded myself that IT had no emotional attachment to me.

I still have a 2014 NC-700X, which (extensively accessorized for touring) also took me to Alaska and to New Orleans. I like it a lot, partly despite and partly for its differences from the Wing.
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