Lightning does strike twice

[Jfro5867]

Well it's been a cracking afternoon up here in Lincolnshire after what feels like days of rain. I was about 45 mins into a lovely ride going along flowing country lanes, doing 55mph ish, not in a rush just really enjoying myself when a bloody big pheasant appeared to my immediate left and flew straight at me, no time to do anything. If you have ever been hit hard by a big heavy feather pillow you will know what happened next. Bird hit my LHS fairing, mirror, LHS hand guard and got wedged around the handbrake gizmo (DCT). I instinctively grabbed the bird and got rid of it. Feathers everywhere. simultaneously noticing a RED warning light on the dash! The bird had somehow put the DCT handbrake on!! Couldn't believe it. I tried to release it but couldn't so had to stop immediately to sort it out. So, damage report. Bird saliva and skin everywhere, LHS indicator snapped, mirror knocked out of whack, paintwork thankfully ok.

Now, I was hit before on my previous manual CT, by a pheasant.That one hit the radiator shroud & rad guard before bouncing off.

I reckon because the CT is such a quiet bike it must be startling these damn birds as you literally pass them.

I'm going to try and glue the indicator on. If anyone knows how easy/difficult it is to replace a front indicator please let me know. If it's easy I'll order a new one from Folwers and swap it over.

On a positive note,

1. the CT was rock solid and I never felt for one second I would come off.
2. applying the handbrake at about 58mph does not lock the back wheel and the bike didn't stall, no idea what the DCT made of it but when I came to rest it all seemed ok.
3. Love the bike ❤️

[Jac]

Well done dealing with this in the moment but what a mess.  A retired motorcycle police officer told me recently police motorcyclists categorize motorcycling wildlife encounters as “squishables” and “non squishables.” 

[mzflorida]

I did giggle but not at your misfortune.   What are the odds?  Here is how to replace the turn signal.  Pretty easy. 

[Jfro5867]

Thanks mzflorida that's great. Looks straightforward enough. I'll go and take a peek at the bike in the garage and see what's what. 👍

[bazza950]

had a mate that had this happen to him,twice,in his works van.it went through the windscreen and ended up with the tools in the back (pre bulkhead days).He just drove to his work to show them reckoning no-one would believe it would happen to him twice!
Did anyone see the Aerostich report about the guy in USA who had a cougar mix it with his bike?

[andyrob]

Hit a small deer a few years ago on the CT about 40mph. Twisted the forks. Hair in the tyre. Thank god for ABS, a big front wheel, big wide bars and 285kg+. A bloody great plough!

[bazza950]

Originally Posted by andyrob

Hit a small deer a few years ago on the CT about 40mph. Twisted the forks. Hair in the tyre. Thank god for ABS, a big front wheel, big wide bars and 285kg+. A bloody great plough!

sounds a Dear event!

[andyrob]

Originally Posted by bazza950

sounds a Dear event!

"Doe!"