55 year old new boy looking for advice.

Hi all, Alan's the name, I've had an itch I've wanted to scratch for quite a while, that itch is getting back onto two wheels, I have physical problems though, I am a below knee amputee (right leg due to bike accident on March 1986) and have spinal problems due to an accident at work on February 29th 2008, this left me with a very weak back on the right side, arthritis is developing in the back, hands and shoulders, plus the ligaments that attach to the facet joints on my spine are now unattached, so you can imagine my predicament.
I never passed the test years ago, so now, I'll have to do it, a motorcycle school near me uses the SV650 bikes, but the footrests are too far back for me to get and keep my right foot on, are there any modifications available to fit the bike and move the footrests and gear change forward, the rear brake can be put under the clutch lever (a la Mick Doohan style).

Any help and suggestion would be welcomed.

[DarrenSV650S]

Hi and welcome!

You should have a chat with Talan. He is paralysed and has modded his SV to make it rideable. Although it looks like he hasn't been on for a while

http://forums.sv650.org/member.php?u=11840

Some of his threads: http://forums.sv650.org/search.php?s...=5840139&pp=25

[theenglishman]

Have you spoken to these people?

National Association for Bikers with a Disability

Re: 55 year old new boy looking for advice.
Have you spoken to these people?

National Association for Bikers with a Disability


No, but I will.

Thanks.

[Bibio]

dont take this the wrong way but should you really be thinking of riding a motorbike in your condition. one small mishap might leave you permanently in a wheelchair.

get a trike instead.

[embee]

Hi Alan
this is probably way off the wall for you, but I'll throw it in just for laughs.


As well as an SV650 I have a couple of other bikes, including a Honda Integra. It's a scooter style version of the NC range, same engine/chassis but scooter plastics. The key features though are it has footboards and is a DCT (auto gear change, helps a lot of folk with wrist/hand troubles) transmission with both brakes on the handlebars. Could this be a possible solution? Side benefit is that it does 80mpg. Very low centre of gravity helps a lot if you lack strength.


Good for distances too, here's mine in Spain.

Originally Posted by Bibio

one small mishap might leave you permanently in a wheelchair

Same as for all of us then.

[theenglishman]

Absolutely. Go for it Al. Disabled journeys take that bit longer but are so much more satisfying when you get there.

There's also companies line ProShift that do semi and push button gear shifts and such. ProShift is run by a disabled guy I believe. The downside is its eyewateringly expensive.

[tonyk]

Hi Alan, what about those bikes with two wheels in front no chance of falling.

I've seen a few people racing with thumb brakes and and finger operated gear shifters - I've seen a bloke at Brands Hatch with 1 leg on an R1 can go round quicker than people with 2 legs so anythings possible.