Have you seen this?

[TEC]

Where there's a will there's a way, read an excert in a mag of this a few years back

Yet more ammo for me to point people in the direction of when they think I shouldn't be riding - I've got it easy!

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

Cool use of technology, just shows what is possible

But you what to know what is/was truly impressive??? Darrin Sharp, not just rode them, but raced bikes with one arm ... and when I say one arm, I mean one arm, no prosthetic! ...



He is capable of doing a SUB 52 second lap of Brands Indy like that too

To give a frame of reference, most average trackdayers struggle to get below a 1min (60s) lap, even the fastest trackdayers are struggling to do 55s-56s ... !!

He can do a 51.9 with one friggin arm!!

Easy - he has a bit of a weight advantage!

Really impressive kit, but I think after an off of that severity I'd consider wearing more protective kit than he had on!

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Yup.Seen Mr Sharp race and that alone made the day worthwhile.
That was a couple of years ago.Is he still racing?

No idea.

I came up against him a few times back when I was racing, he had the oddest/unorthodox lines (he was 'safe', but the lines were so odd, he was actually a little tricky to pass (that and obviously the boy was holding a pretty good pace anyway, but the combination of the two made him a b-steward to get past!)), but as you can see by that laptime, frigging amazing how he was doing those sort of times with one arm ... I just can't see how he did it ... he must have taken ALL his weight on the tank (ouch!! ) otherwise with weight just on one arm, the bike would steer.

Honestly, as a benchmark, people need to go to brands and see what lap times they are doing to get some level of appreciation of just how much 'comitnment' it takes to get under 52s as an able-bodied person, let along like that!! .... seriously, it is one thing to ride a bike with one arm/leg ... but must be quite another to race one at a reasonable lick!!

That made me genuinly smile, and I felt proper happy for the guy. He must have felt awesome the first day he got back on a bike and rode off.

Obviously a lunatic, pooping wheelies all over the place

RE the racer guy, I saw something on telly about him once. He must have some serious upper body strength

Matt

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

RE the racer guy, I saw something on telly about him once. He must have some serious upper body strength
Matt

No, I think all the strength must be whatever it takes to grip the tank ... he can't have much weight on that one arm at all, else I can't see it working ...

I just can't describe the forces involved to do sub 52s ... the brakes ... the leaning ... the acceleration .. it is very physically demanding .. and that is for a able bodied person who can distribute the forces between arms, legs and thighs/tank etc ..

To have that ALL on you thighs/nuts/tummy ... WOW!! .. its not like he was a little lad either ...

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

No, I think all the strength must be whatever it takes to grip the tank ... he can't have much weight on that one arm at all, else I can't see it working ...

I just can't describe the forces involved to do sub 52s ... the brakes ... the leaning ... the acceleration .. it is very physically demanding .. and that is for a able bodied person who can distribute the forces between arms, legs and thighs/tank etc ..

To have that ALL on you thighs/nuts/tummy ... WOW!! .. its not like he was a little lad either ...

I was thinking to do all the counter steering etc. Also, you have to use some arm strength to support your body during braking

Didnt he have the front brake modified to where the rear brake lever is?

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

I was thinking to do all the counter steering etc. Also, you have to use some arm strength to support your body during braking

Didnt he have the front brake modified to where the rear brake lever is?

He will need to steer the bike, but my point is if you take the braking force on just one arm, that'd steer the bike ... that is not so bad on R/H turns as it'll help out ... but a LH turn would be hideous!!

Yep, he had the brakes linked to the rear .. I think it was only the stock rear M/C too again how the feck did he get enough braking power/control?!?! ... it truly is/was a marvel ..

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

He will need to steer the bike, but my point is if you take the braking force on just one arm, that'd steer the bike ... that is not so bad on R/H turns as it'll help out ... but a LH turn would be hideous!!

Yep, he had the brakes linked to the rear .. I think it was only the stock rear M/C too again how the feck did he get enough braking power/control?!?! ... it truly is/was a marvel ..

Ah, of course, gotcha

It must have taken him a long time to re-learn how to ride a bike with all the controls around the wrong way