To most onlookers, riding a motorcycle appears to be a complicated ordeal, one that requires both coordination and dexterity. It looks like someone with motor impairments would have a hard time operating all the controls.
As a die-hard rider friend of mine explained it, typical motorcycle operation requires each extremity to perform a different task. While your right hand operates the front brake and throttle, your right foot is controlling the rear brake. And, while the left hand operates the clutch, the left foot operates the gear shift. Someone with weakness or paralysis on either side of their body would seem to be unable to perform all the necessary functions. But there are alternatives.
Adaptive Equipment
As anyone with a disability can tell you, adaptive equipment is best designed and built by someone who needs to use it. George Niedoba, a Czech who moved to Tennessee in 1996, had been riding motorcycles without incident for most of his life.
But, four years after settling into his new home his abilities were tested by a blind left-hand turn with a guardrail. He failed the test. The crash into the rail left his right arm paralyzed from the elbow down to his hand. That was the impetus to begin a motorcycle parts company: Option Moto. Today the company designs and installs custom hand and foot controls for motorcyclists with disabilities.
One Hand Control
In the United Kingdom, a company called Kliktronic is the king of push-button gear changers. Take their K-LEVER 2 Dual - Lever Master Cylinder, for instance. Simply put, the K-Lever is an electric shifter. What makes it great for someone with a disability is its modular design, which allows for a variety of configurations.
Use it to control both front and rear brakes with a single hand. Or, if you prefer, set it up to operate the clutch and brake for easier gear shifting.
If you have weakness in your left hand, a Rekluse automatic clutch might be just what you need to get on the road. One example, the company's ProStart Clutch, allows a rider to control starting and stopping with the throttle. After you start your machine, the clutch can still be used for shifting.
Finally, most riders understand that the front brake on a motorcycle provides most of the stopping power. If your right hand (which normally controls the front brake) is weak, you might want to try using a thumb brake system. Any reputable motorcycle shop can help you find a good set-up for your particular machine.
Connect with Other Riders with Disabilities
No matter what your disability, no matter how you ride your bike; it's a good idea to get advice from fellow riders. My best advice is to get in touch with one of the following two groups: Disabled Riders of America was founded by a devoted rider and his girlfriend (who has Spina Bifida). The website provides information and direction for those who wish to ride despite their disability. The second group: The National Association for Bikers with Disabilities, a European organization, provides useful links, a chat system, and news of upcoming events.
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