Close call w/ raccoon - brake question

[Timmygp]

Still very inexperienced rider - I'm going 60 down a country road today, this raccoon darts out across the road- missed him by a few feet!!! My issue is I saw it but I didn't even have time to get my hand on the brake lever.... Should I be riding with my hand on the left lever at all times???? Scared the shit outta me - what's common when u hit a small animal, I'm guessing a good chance of a crash at 60 mph....

[Taz]

Ive run over rabbits on a 250 and havent crashed. But have crashed when trying to swerve around them. So just squash them rather than swerve! But we have big Kangaroos that can jump in front of you, then freeze in your headlight. So I try not to ride after dark in rural areas. In a car you can turn off your headlights and allow them to jump away but there is no off switch on my PCX light

[Cooley_PCX_Rider]

Hit a full grown Raccoon mom one night. Killed her directly. I was on a kawasaki Nomad 1600 though.
Would hit rather then brake or swerve.

[Cracksta]

i can grab my brakes quick but i dont feel the brakes on the PCX are that good.

if its small enough to run over, its prob best to though its not nice.

[uploader]

I rest four fingers on my back brake lever and two on my front brake lever at all times,
Dont know if its the right why to do it but seems right for me

If its a small animal and you cant brake in time without risking comming off then dont,
I love all animals but love my life more

[Cascanciu]

I always keep two fingers on the combined brake and my left thumb near the horn while riding in the city, just in case. Glad it all ended without major problems .

[Cracksta]

yep, i do 4 fingers on the rear brake (habit from a clutch) and 2 fingers for the front. using 4 is better but find it awkard now lol

[maddiedog]

I don't keep my hands on the brakes. I've hit a cat, possums, squirrels... The worst is cleaning the mess afterwards.

Unless the animal is more than 20 lbs, if you can't stop, it's better to hit it than risk dumping your bike and getting hurt.

I'd say you would have much less chance of crashing after hitting a coon at 60 than at a lower speed. You'll go so fast that the poor thing will get obliterated, leaving less solid bone to run over after the initial impact.

[Taz]

So Cascanciu, is Spain like Italy where cars and bikes seem to use their horn instead of the indicators, especially in Milan and Rome!

[you you]

So Cascanciu, is Spain like Italy where cars and bikes seem to use their horn instead of the indicators, especially in Milan and Rome!

Not that I've seen. The standard of driving in continental Europe is much better than the uk in general.

[happyscooter]

Im glad everythings ok Timmy. You will have to pardon me i love making funny pics when i get bored...


yes that raccoon is flicking you off hahaha

[maddiedog]

Awesome

[Taz]

HappyScoot
Thats hilarious!

[Timmygp]

Lol - that is some funny shit!!!!

[Cascanciu]

So Cascanciu, is Spain like Italy where cars and bikes seem to use their horn instead of the indicators, especially in Milan and Rome!

Not that I've seen. The standard of driving in continental Europe is much better than the uk in general.

I haven't ever driven in the UK so I can't compare. Do you really think so?. Why?. I have driven in Oz and in Indonesia (they are RHD there too). In Oz I have to say that the driving is quite correct, and... quite well enforced by their police, which I believe has to do with it. Indonesia, go figure.

So Cascanciu, is Spain like Italy where cars and bikes seem to use their horn instead of the indicators, especially in Milan and Rome!

Not exactly. The Italians have copyrighted their way of driving and we are not allowed to copy it . People do use blinkers here, problem is, sometimes you'll come across someone who doesn't use mirrors!. Besides, I live in an area with lots of junctions with no traffic light, so best to make them hear you if you suspect they haven't seen you. We do not use the horn ala Italian , but it's likely that we use it more than you do over there.

In fact, there are noticeable differences in how we drive, from north to south and east to west, but I concur with qed that we do drive well. This is still a manual gearbox country, we have heaps of mountains (good motorways), changing weather conditions, and a very efficient traffic police just in case we feel tempted to go wild. Watch those when you move here, qed, the guys in the dark green uniform with "Guardia Civil de Tráfico" marked cars.

[WhiteNoise]

Timmygp, good to have you back! I had wondered how you made it through hurricane (Isaac?) Now, you're messing with coons? Phew....you missed him....or he missed you? Either way, Glad you're okay

[WhiteNoise]

happyscooter, Keep those coming!! Refreshing. Little bit of this & a little bit of that makes for a great forum. That was "You" on this forum! Cheers