Deer whistles

[Flashdog]

On our first trip to the Smokeys in 98' my wife insisted we put deer whistles on the bike. She had lived in Virginia and said everyone had them. I figured that for $6 what could it hurt. We saw dozens of them going up the Blue Ridge Parkway and they always seemed to stop what they were doing and gave us the "dog with the tilted head" look. It was great because we then just went right between them. A few times we stopped as we were coming up to them and as soon as we got below about 15 mph they darted in all directions. They made me a believer up until December of 2007. We hit a deer in Alabama going 70 mph so hard it I never did find that whistle! Ripped it right off! Luckily we were in a car! The deer was dead and the car got totaled.

I still have whistles on both my bikes and my car because I figured it's only a few bucks. So what do you guys think? I have a feeling this could be a discussion right up there with pro-choice/life, gun rights/gun control, evolution/creation, etc...(that's me trying to be funny. Don't take it that seriously.)

[wwells]

It's hard to prove a "negative." I suspect your experience in the car comes close though.

I read a book by Gregory Frazier. He said that: 1. He doesn't ride at night unless it is absolutely necessary; and 2. He always assumes that anything with legs (whether 2 or 4) is going to try to kill themselves and him.

My approach is pretty much the same. With that in mind I slow down when in high risk areas and realize there are some out there that are still going to try to get me. What I haven't bothered to include in my strategy is a deer whistle. But like you said, they are only a few dollars... and I really doubt that they attract deer.

I suspect the only danger in using deer whistles is assuming they actually work. JMHO

[Liv2Ride]

I couldn't find a good place to put my deer whistles without it taking away from my bike. At least to me. Anyway, what I decided on was to place them under my floor boards. They look great...I can't see them P^ I just hope that they are working. Since I haven't been attacked by a crazed deer maybe they are doing their job. I hope so, as I do a lot of riding in places that are known for deer populations and also in low light conditions. I agree, for a few bucks....avoid a few bucks...get it :rolleyes:

[bigTom]

I absolutely DO NOT think they work. That said, I have one on my ST1100. It's almost invisible and it holds my 'angel bell', neither of which I believe or bought. Both came from PFO.

I am superstitious enough not to take them off. In fact, I take them off when ever I am in the forward plastic (headlight change, wiring) and put them right back.

[BJFazio]

I suspect the only danger in using deer whistles is assuming they actually work. JMHO

Very well said. Deer are extremely dangerous to motorcyclists, and whistles would not make me feel any safer.

[swandog]

i would rather they just continued munching grass at the side of the road than be spooked by a deer whistle

[Trailace]

I had them om my Valkyrie but never put them on the GS after reading that they do not work. I saved the $6 for a campsite. LOL

[narcop482]

I believe in them, can't really prove otherwise. I have seen lots of deer here in Florida and in the mountains in north Georgia, and have had the same results. They stop in their tracks and just take a look. I tell everyone they work for elephants also, because I haven't hit one of those either.

Hey Flashdog.........maybe it was a sign back in 07' not to move to to the west coast..............way to think it through! I'll call you from the National Rally in two weeks.

Have a GREAT 4th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rollsroyce77]

Liv2Ride,
for a few bucks....avoid a few bucks...get it GREAT line!!!! I got a kick outta that.
I found a pair of chrome deer whistles at walmart and put them on the sides of my radiator on my VTX 1800.

[Ironheadziggy76]

A friend of mine had a set on his bike but they got broken when he hit a deer! :eek: On the other hand, while in AK I talked to a guy who had an electronic one that was very annoying until he turned it off. Deer tend to be very curious creatures, it might attract them! :D

[Bender]

Loud pipes work better. :rolleyes:

[ImRubicon]

Loud pipes work better. :rolleyes:
Learning to ride safer might help even more :rolleyes:

[Blues Traveler]

Wasn't it Rider Magazine that actually did a test on both the regular air driven whistles and the electronic ones? Both were proven not to work. The electronic ones were actually placed in a tree in a well know place where deer gather and pass by. They were all attracted to that tree, stopped and check out source of the noise.

[boxxer]

I mounted mine backwards on my bike and took off down the road and glanced in my left mirror and a whole heard was chasing me!!!!!!!!

[RayB]

I have a set of dear whistels on a shelf somewhere in my garage ,and I have never once seen a dear in my garage, so maybe they work ???

[mattc]

The science would indicate that these whistles do not work. In fact one of the studies (done by the manufacturer) that claimed they DID work, was done on a snowmobile. Sure enough as the (very loud) snowmobile approached the deer, the deer skedaddled.

The fact is that deer alert on PROXIMITY not sound. This is why you can see a deer and he is not reacting until you get close to them and wham! they scatter (hopefully away from you).

Also, when deer DO alert/react they tend to move in the direction of their nose first, and then begin a random zig-zag pattern which is believed to be an effective 'wolf evading' tactic.

So, the bottom line is DON'T rely on a deer whistle to do ANYTHING for you. Keep them if you like, but don't think they make you safer and disuade you from the actions that do mitigate deer encounters. Such actions include (in order of effectiveness:
1) avoid their environment when possible. Don't ride the twisties from dusk until dawn if you can help it. Get on the highway which is well lit, has guardrails and other cages running interference for you.
2) If you can't do number 1 above, DO SLOW DOWN and be prepared for a quick stop. Stand the bike up first and do a progressive/aggressive quickstop. It is much better to make impact in an upright position than leaned over.
3) Cover your brakes (lever and foot) when in suspected deer country to be prepared to execute number two above.
4) If you have manuevering room and time (IF IF IF) then aim for the deers rump because his first move will be in the direction of his nose.

PLEASE DON'T TRUST A DEER WHISTLE TO KEEP YOU SAFE FROM DEER. THEY DO NOT WORK.

[BELOWaverageBOB]

I am a firm believer in them as well, however you can't help that one deer out of 50 is totally retarded and will do whatever it takes to play chicken with your grill!

[SidecarMike]

When I mounted the sidecar in my old GL1200, I wanted added value insurance to cover it. One of the requirements was that the agent needed photographs of the bike. I took it to the office where she told me she could not cover me if I kept the deer whistles in place. She cited an insurance study that said they only work below 30 mph and that deer are as likely to run at them as away from them. She said if I put them back on after I leave, to be certain they are gone when the insurance adjuster comes to look at the wreck.
There is one on the Aspencade. I seldom ride below 30 miles per hour, so I figure it is harmless. :p
It's mate was damaged when the previous owner nailed a deer with the bike.

[Indianscout]

I don't believe in them but do believe in taking the necessary precautions. When I do see deer I flash my high-low beam and it seems to do the trick. With that in mind I like the pulsating headlight that Gwizz has on his bike. Not only does it get the attention of the deer but other drivers as well. Now if you will excuse me, I need to spray my bike down with pepper spray and install little bells on it to help avoid any bears I may encounter......

:lol2

[quadancer]

There is a reason that cop cars no longer use deer whistles. I'd read that they tend more to freeze the deer in place than scare it away, similar to an approaching headlight. At least louder pipes make somewhat of a growling sound.
GRRRrrrrrrrRRRRRR....:mad:

[Blues Traveler]

I still believe they do absolutely nothing.

But just in the case they might :rolleyes: i've read you need to have both (2 of them in place) as they are a matched set both having a different pitch that working together in harmony to produce the sound that supposedly scares them away. Thats why they come in pairs. Take a look, both are just a bit different.

So I guess there is a science :rolleyes: to them after all.

[BELOWaverageBOB]

Yup, they DO freeze them in place, at least in my expereince with them. I'd prefer to have them frozen stupid than running retarded. :tent6: