Ladies and Gentlemen,
Gather round-
Here is a tale that is both tall and true!
While the term "deer splitting" might connotation some sort of "fur covered mammal dodging game" to some of our brethren "cage" drivers, motorcyclists know that this is one of the worst fears of the two wheeled traveler.
Some years ago, one of our own, Dr. Curve (A.K.A. Jim Roche), was out for a ride at in the North Florida / South Georgia countryside on his new red R1100RSL (one of the first if not the first in Florida at the time). Dr. Curve was riding at a pace that was making his companion aboard a ZX9R work hard to stay within sight of him. As they made their re-entry into Florida from Georgia on S.R. 155, they rounded a sweeping corner at a speed well into three digits. In retrospect (and Dr. Curve will be the first to admit) the entrance to this corner is usually the shut off point to a ride as the road narrows and the previously wide open view well off to each side becomes obscured by trees and brush close to the edge of the road side.
On this day however, the ride was extra spirited and this "shut off" point was being stretched - too far....
As the doctor exited the corner Bambi leapt from the right side of the road. This action set about a series of events that make us all cringe. As the impact was made, Jim did his best to pilot the bike in a straight line despite the fact that Bambi's midriff and hind quarters (now separated from her front half) took Jim's right leg and pushed back and off the motorcycle shattering his femur in the process. Jim aimed the bike towards the most open section of the road side and the R1100RSL began to buck and row and tossed Jim off. The R bike continued and cart wheeled high into the air and over a farmer’s fence. The distance the bike traveled after the impact was incredible!
Luckily the ZX9R rider had a cell phone and Jim received quick medical attention.
What separates this tale from the other CW articles that claim real "deer splits" are these pictures, the first is the R1100RSL after it was hauled back over the fence and trucked home and the second is Bambi's head and fore quarters.
The day of the accident I rode out to see the site myself and saw Bambi's "front half" on the left side of the road and her "rear half on the right side of the road. Truly amazing!
Here are the pictures (pictures are big and slow to load);
http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~jroche/259_vaporizer.JPG
http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~jroche/bambi.JPG