Handicapped RT rider

[Buckeye Chuck 54]

It's very inspiring to see handicapped riders still able to ride.
I too have a handicap. I have Muscular Dystrophy. I've been
riding motorcycles since I was 12. MY mother had MD, and MS.
Watching her get around when I was in my late 20's I saw I had
the same symptoms. MD in adults takes years to get really bad.
Move ahead to 2009 I rode a BMW R1150RT. I loved that bike, loved
it like 103,000 miles in 4 years. One day after a ride I dropped it on it's
right side. NO way I could pick it up so it laid there for over an hour.
I finally hooked the winch on my HOnda Foreman to the handlebars
and was able to get it upright. At that time I thought my riding days
were over. I did find a BMW K1200LT that had a Hannigan conversion
to 3 wheels. I thought I had found what I was looking for. But any
motorcycle that's been converted has it's own problems. This trike
began eating front tires after 65,000 miles. A front tire would last only
2000 miles, two tires a month. At $200 a tire. I rode past a Honda dealer
in Jackson Ohio, they sold Spyders. I took a ride on a new RT-L and decided
it was time for a change. I ordered a RT-S with the ISCI hand brake. That
was June 2014.
This Spyder is perfect for me. I love it. It's a Godsend. But I'm afraid my MD
is catching up with me. I can't lift my leg high enough to stand on the left
foot board. It's a struggle. But after I do get on it I'm fine. I'm looking to rig
something to stand on so I don't have to lift my leg so high. I think maybe a
couple 2X4's nailed together would do OK. Connect a rope to pick it up when I get
on.
I'll think of something. I want to ride to Spyderfest with Joe, the Buckeye Bleau
and Mike the Blue Knight. I may not be able to ride that far and trailering is out
of the question.
Like I said, it's very inspiring to see how people deal with disabilities. Something
will come up.
Buckeye Chuck

[Peter Aawen]

Hey Chuck, I don't have MD but I do walk with a stick (or 2?!) & frequently have hard days getting onto my RT!! I've found that backing up to the Spyder on the left side before parking my bum on the pillion seat makes it all a whole lot easier. Once I'm sorta parked sideways on the back seat with both feet still on the ground, I can use my hands & arms to help lift my right leg over the rider's seat in front of me to get astride, before slipping forwards & down off the pillion seat & onto the front seat & getting both feet onto the pegs/floor boards! All is good from there; altho if I am still having difficulties getting off, I often find I hafta push myself back & up onto the pillion seat & reverse the whole process. My stick/s are folding sticks that I either tuck in behind the back of the rear seat/below the passenger backrest or if I'm having a good day, I can fold the stick up & put it in the rear trunk.


But I always remember, Nothing is impossible, altho some things can be a right pain! And there are always people worse off than I am, so what right do I have to whinge about things!

Cheers, & good ryding!

[Mikey]

I see a lot of posts on here very similar to this post and have thought to myself if it is possible to come up with some sort of floor board for the left side that had a flip down step or aid so that you could flip it down step up and get over the hump with the other leg, then once on flip it out of the way. I have two bad knee's myself, and some times it's a tug getting that foot over the mountain on my RTL! I've been a welder for 40 years, guess it's time to think about this for a while, and see what I can come up with.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I see a lot of posts on here very similar to this post and have thought to myself if it is possible to come up with some sort of floor board for the left side that had a flip down step or aid so that you could flip it down step up and get over the hump with the other leg, then once on flip it out of the way. I have two bad knee's myself, and some times it's a tug getting that foot over the mountain on my RTL! I've been a welder for 40 years, guess it's time to think about this for a while, and see what I can come up with.

........ Immediately after reading of Chucks issue I thought of the same thing ....... A flip down " step sort of thing " ..... The best I could come up with would be a permanently attached piece the length of the floorboard ....that went straight down about 3 to 4 inches ... another piece the same length as the floor board that would be attached with one or two large hinges & parallel to the floorboard .... this would be able to flip up alongside the down piece when operating..... the down piece would have to be a double angle bracket , so the step piece could only go up-right .......... I'll can mock something up & take pics ......... I could probably make it and bring it to Spyderfest for Chuck and put it on there ....... ...... any thoughts ..... Mike

[Buckeye Chuck 54]

THis is how I mount my RT.
I have to swing my left leg to get it on the left front floorboard. There's not enough muscle
to simply lift it up. I have to make sure my shoe is on the rubber. When I get a good footing
I reach up and get both hands on the bars. Then I swing my right leg to the passenger board
which I have lowered all the way. Then I can get my right knee on the seat. I have to grab the
pant leg above my shoe to lift my right leg over the seat. From there I can just plop on the seat.
I would imagine the rear suspension cringes when I do this.
I've done it this way since day one. It still works but it is getting harder to do.
I wonder, is there any way to just lower the front footboard? Are there any aftermarket boards that are
adjustable?
I have an appointment to see a specialist about my problem, but it's not till after Spyderfest. I've been
asking my family doctor about trying human growth hormone. He's reluctant to try.
I have been taking steroids from time to time. It helps for a while.
Thanks for your suggestions guys. If it gets any worse I'll look into this more carefully.
CHuck

........ Immediately after reading of Chucks issue I thought of the same thing ....... A flip down " step sort of thing " ..... The best I could come up with would be a permanently attached piece the length of the floorboard ....that went straight down about 3 to 4 inches ... another piece the same length as the floor board that would be attached with one or two large hinges & parallel to the floorboard .... this would be able to flip up alongside the down piece when operating..... the down piece would have to be a double angle bracket , so the step piece could only go up-right .......... I'll can mock something up & take pics ......... I could probably make it and bring it to Spyderfest for Chuck and put it on there ....... ...... any thoughts ..... Mike

[sealfloorboards]

Keep on truckin' my friend. I am always amazed and humbled at how far we will go to keep on riding. You are an inspiration. Makes me feel I don't have it so bad with my Gillian Barre. I just stagger and fall once in a while. You are the man! You said you ordered an RT S. What kind of floorboards o do you have? They don't come stock on the RTS SE5. That's the basic Spyder like I always buy. I can step up on my Seals, using the handle bars for leverage, but it's still hard to get my legs over. Just don't ever let the bastards get you down.
Ride in comfort,
John

[Buckeye Chuck 54]

My '14 RT-S came with the stock floorboards. Does your RTS have the footpegs not boards? Seals? Are those aftermarket foot rests?
I do fall down. I have to watch every step I take. If I fall, I need a set of steps to get on my feet. I live with it, because I have to.
Thank you for more inspiration. Those bastards won't get me!
Chuck

Keep on truckin' my friend. I am always amazed and humbled at how far we will go to keep on riding. You are an inspiration. Makes me feel I don't have it so bad with my Gillian Barre. I just stagger and fall once in a while. You are the man! You said you ordered an RT S. What kind of floorboards o do you have? They don't come stock on the RTS SE5. That's the basic Spyder like I always buy. I can step up on my Seals, using the handle bars for leverage, but it's still hard to get my legs over. Just don't ever let the bastards get you down.
Ride in comfort,
John

[niterider]

It's very inspiring to see handicapped riders still able to ride.
I too have a handicap. I have Muscular Dystrophy. I've been
riding motorcycles since I was 12. MY mother had MD, and MS.
Watching her get around when I was in my late 20's I saw I had
the same symptoms. MD in adults takes years to get really bad.
Move ahead to 2009 I rode a BMW R1150RT. I loved that bike, loved
it like 103,000 miles in 4 years. One day after a ride I dropped it on it's
right side. NO way I could pick it up so it laid there for over an hour.
I finally hooked the winch on my HOnda Foreman to the handlebars
and was able to get it upright. At that time I thought my riding days
were over. I did find a BMW K1200LT that had a Hannigan conversion
to 3 wheels. I thought I had found what I was looking for. But any
motorcycle that's been converted has it's own problems. This trike
began eating front tires after 65,000 miles. A front tire would last only
2000 miles, two tires a month. At $200 a tire. I rode past a Honda dealer
in Jackson Ohio, they sold Spyders. I took a ride on a new RT-L and decided
it was time for a change. I ordered a RT-S with the ISCI hand brake. That
was June 2014.
This Spyder is perfect for me. I love it. It's a Godsend. But I'm afraid my MD
is catching up with me. I can't lift my leg high enough to stand on the left
foot board. It's a struggle. But after I do get on it I'm fine. I'm looking to rig
something to stand on so I don't have to lift my leg so high. I think maybe a
couple 2X4's nailed together would do OK. Connect a rope to pick it up when I get
on.
I'll think of something. I want to ride to Spyderfest with Joe, the Buckeye Bleau
and Mike the Blue Knight. I may not be able to ride that far and trailering is out
of the question.
Like I said, it's very inspiring to see how people deal with disabilities. Something
will come up.
Buckeye Chuck

BC54 I can’t throw or slide my leg over the seat while standing on other. I sit on seat on right side of scooter, slide back on passenger part of seat with right leg on passenger footboard, grab cuff of left pant leg and pull my leg up and over glove box to left side. Release and slid forward to operators part of seat. Works for me. Turn key on before sitting on right side of seat, it’s ready to start when you are! Keep rubber side down! Niterider

[sealfloorboards]

My '14 RT-S came with the stock floorboards. Does your RTS have the footpegs not boards? Seals? Are those aftermarket foot rests?
I do fall down. I have to watch every step I take. If I fall, I need a set of steps to get on my feet. I live with it, because I have to.
Thank you for more inspiration. Those bastards won't get me!
Chuck

HI buckeye Chuck,
I didn't think the '14 RT S had BRP Floorboards, just rider pegs. If they do, fine, just click on the box "Have BRP floorboards" or " Don't have BRP floorboards". that is if you are interested in purchasing. To answer your question, please go to my website :sealfloorboards.com and look in the Floorboards page, under Prices, looking for the RT SE5 Floorboard. Stepping up on my Seals is like standing on the floor. They are that solid. They are so long you can easily stretch out like you have hwy pegs. Hope this helps.
Ride in comfort,
John

[Buckeye Chuck 54]

The stock 2014 RT comes with the pegs, the RT-S (like mine) and the RT-Limited come with the boards.

I checked out your web page. Those are some nice boards. A bit pricey but if it comes down to it
maybe a necessity.

I assume your boards are the same for the stock 2013 RT and 2014 RT. Meaning one set will fit both
bikes. The only thing is that they look to be the same height as my stock boards. This is my biggest concern.

I have to stand on the rubber part of the board to mount up. Last year I stopped for gas and when I went to
get back on I stepped on the edge with wet feet and down I went. Banged my head on the passenger board.
Good thing I had my helmet on. Do your boards have a non slip coating?

Thanks for the info.
Chuck

HI buckeye Chuck,
I didn't think the '14 RT S had BRP Floorboards, just rider pegs. If they do, fine, just click on the box "Have BRP floorboards" or " Don't have BRP floorboards". that is if you are interested in purchasing. To answer your question, please go to my website :sealfloorboards.com and look in the Floorboards page, under Prices, looking for the RT SE5 Floorboard. Stepping up on my Seals is like standing on the floor. They are that solid. They are so long you can easily stretch out like you have hwy pegs. Hope this helps.
Ride in comfort,
John

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The stock 2014 RT comes with the pegs, the RT-S (like mine) and the RT-Limited come with the boards.

I checked out your web page. Those are some nice boards. A bit pricey but if it comes down to it
maybe a necessity.

I assume your boards are the same for the stock 2013 RT and 2014 RT. Meaning one set will fit both
bikes. The only thing is that they look to be the same height as my stock boards. This is my biggest concern.

I have to stand on the rubber part of the board to mount up. Last year I stopped for gas and when I went to
get back on I stepped on the edge with wet feet and down I went. Banged my head on the passenger board.
Good thing I had my helmet on. Do your boards have a non slip coating?

Thanks for the info.
Chuck

Chuck, I bought a Basic RT .... and made my own boards from aluminum diamond plate ....very slippery stuff .... I took a small piece of 24 Ga. galvanized sheet metal and took a big nail and perforated it ....it now looks like a cheese grater .... I could pour oil on it and I still wouldn't slip ....... I also did a very long strip for my center loading ramp which I use to get Spyder into / onto my Trk ...... the ramp is 10ft and rises 27 inches ( your pal Buckeye Bleau has seen it ) ....... I've gone up that in the pouring rain and no slipping of the rear tire ..... Mike

[sealfloorboards]

The stock 2014 RT comes with the pegs, the RT-S (like mine) and the RT-Limited come with the boards.

I checked out your web page. Those are some nice boards. A bit pricey but if it comes down to it
maybe a necessity.

I assume your boards are the same for the stock 2013 RT and 2014 RT. Meaning one set will fit both
bikes. The only thing is that they look to be the same height as my stock boards. This is my biggest concern.

I have to stand on the rubber part of the board to mount up. Last year I stopped for gas and when I went to
get back on I stepped on the edge with wet feet and down I went. Banged my head on the passenger board.
Good thing I had my helmet on. Do your boards have a non slip coating?

Thanks for the info.
Chuck

Thanks for the clarification between the RTS and the RT S. My Seals have a vinyl, diamond plate cover. I think it gives quite secure footing. I've never heard anything negative about the surface. I would be happy to drop the $45. shipping costs if you will email me. I can't offer this on my website. BTW they fit all yrs. of the RT. I just need to know if the Spyder has pegs or BRP Boards. Hope this helps,
Ride in comfort,
John