We call them buzzards here, and we have tons of them, but they do keep the roads clear of dead animals. Anyway, I have had two incidents with them. I was going 70 mph and one flew out of the bar ditch without any warning whatsoever, and flew right into me. I was very lucky I didn't lose control, but it was close. My engine guard was bent and there was buzzard meat burnt all over my exhaust. Those things are dangerous not only because of their size, but also because they wait till the last second to fly away.

 

Yea, I believe that is the lesson learned of this posting..

I have slowed down to 15mph on a busy 45mph road with cars right behind me and still had them leave the meat and nearly fly into me. Having one of these things wrap around your front wheel even at that slow of a speed is gonna suck.

 

We have them here but I haven't had any trouble with them yet. I did have to ride around some peacocks on my out of the neighborhood this morning.

 

A rider I know had serious injuries to himself and passenger when a gang of turkeys flew into him causing him to wreck on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Had not someone seen him go over the side of the road, they could have been there for a long time....

 

Damn suicidal turkey vultures!

Glad you didn't get hit.

 

Not buzzards, but twice this week I've had ducks fly straight at me and then veer off a few yards in front of me. Crazy fowl...

 

Saw a turkey vulture get creamed in the grille of an 18-wheeler a few years back, man what a mess. Saw his buddies nibbling on him later that day.

 

We have tons of them. As someone else mentioned, they keep the roadkill pretty well cleaned up, I just slow down when I see them.