Greetings to one and all. I am looking forward to learning a lot on this Site. I am new here and want to introduce myself. I live just north of the 49th parallel on the Canadian west coast. I have never owned a motorcycle before, do however own a classic car and have spent lots of time on car sites.
I am interested in learning about possible modifications that might be possible to the throttle and it's location. I am a right hand amputee. I have the whole arm but no hand. This would make operating the throttle at the factory position impossible since it is a twist grip. Does anybody know or heard of a way change the throttle? Any possibility of adapting a foot control?
Welcome!! If it's been done before, it's probably on this site....I'm sure someone will chime in. Best of luck to you. Sounds like a challenging project. Sure hope it works out
Chris Draayer was a Motorcycle Flat Tracker for Harley Davidson back in the 50's and sixties. He lost his right hand in a racing accident but continued to ride though they wouldn't let him race. He had a clamp that he could grab the twist grip with and by lowering his elbow work the throttle. Might be a possibility for you.
Happy TRAils/NSD
Paul
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Chris Draayer was a Motorcycle Flat Tracker for Harley Davidson back in the 50's and sixties. He lost his right hand in a racing accident but continued to ride though they wouldn't let him race. He had a clamp that he could grab the twist grip with and by lowering his elbow work the throttle. Might be a possibility for you.
Thanks for your encouragement. The problem is that everything is fly-by-wire and computer controlled you have to be very careful what you mess with. A throttle cable would be much easier to adapt.
I know that there has to be a way to do it, it is just a matter of getting the correct info. I am not one to give up easily. I am doing numerous things that people think are impossible. I drive a 6 speed Manuel transmission truck and shift using just my stump. I am not be using a prosthesis.
Thanks for your encouragement. The problem is that everything is fly-by-wire and computer controlled you have to be very careful what you mess with. A throttle cable would be much easier to adapt.
I know that there has to be a way to do it, it is just a matter of getting the correct info. I am not one to give up easily. I am doing numerous things that people think are impossible. I drive a 6 speed Manuel transmission truck and shift using just my stump. I am not be using a prosthesis.
Hi,
Do you have a Spyder yet?
If not then it would be worth looking at one of the earlier models as they had throttle cables instead of fly-by-wire. I know my RS 2011 has a cable and think they didn't change it on the RS until the 2013. Not sure about the early RT's. ST and F3 are definitely fly by wire.
If you got an earlier cable one it would be relatively easy to move the throttle over the left hand side. If you did that I'd also suggest going from the semi-auto (the SE model) That way you don't have to worry about the clutch on the left and most of the important controls when your riding are on the left as well. All that's on the right is the starter, kill-switch and hazards.
I can't add much about the throttle issue, but I am sure that, with the help of all the experienced folks here, you'll get a good solution. So I will just say
Call it crazy, but have you thought about reaching out to BRP and asking them about possible solutions?
I have not contacted the company itself yet. I talked to the local dealer but I did not get the impression that they or BRP would be very interested in doing any modifications. They talked about 'safety' concerns.
Check out the Enabled SpyderLovers forum topic. May be someone there to help. Meanwhile, I have the clamshell grips for a Goldwing GL1800 made by Kuryakyn on my RTL. Also added the Throttle Boss. Maybe, if this won't work for you, it may give you some ideas.
I have not contacted the company itself yet. I talked to the local dealer but I did not get the impression that they or BRP would be very interested in doing any modifications. They talked about 'safety' concerns.
I'm glad Zip found you a link to a thread in the "Enabled SpyderLovers" section that addresses moving the right hand fly-by-wire control.
Your dealer, depending on which dealer you talk to, is likely NOT the best source of information. Many dealers are very timid about alterations. While BRP itself may not perform the required alteration, they may be a better source for referrals for additional information. There is a Customer Support Team of 4 BRP reps who monitor this forum. They are Steven, Laurence, Mathilde, and Robin. Steven is the team leader. You can email them at brp.care@brp.com. (That link should activate a message to them. Note the unusual "dot" in the first half of the email address.)
I'm sure there is a way to do exactly what you need. As you said, it just may take a little digging. It'll be worth it, as Spyders are LOADS of fun to ride. Best of luck with the project.
I can help you about the throttle body, but there is a lot of excellent info on this site. We are here to help!
Deanna
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It looks to me like the company in England offers the most promising avenue for you. Moving the throttle is a bit complicated as it is a bit complicated in itself. It has two Hall sensors, which are magnetic field sensors that I don't really know very much about. One is for throttle position and one is throttle acceleration. The latter I believe senses how quickly you turn the throttle grip. I'm guessing the English company came up with a way to move the entire throttle grip to the left side. The large cylinder on the end of the grip is, I'm sure, the sensor portion of the throttle. They might be able to take a stock throttle grip and modify it and send it to you for you to install yourself. You would have to move the wire harness from the right side to the left side, or maybe they can make a harness extension to go from the left side to the right side.
2014 Copper RTS
Tri-Axis bars, CB, BajaRon sway bar & shock adjusters, SpyderPop's Bumpskid, NBV peg brackets, LED headlights and modulator, Wolo trumpet air horns, trailer hitch, custom trailer harness, high mount turn signals, Custom Dynamics brake light, LED turn signal lights on mirrors, LED strip light for a dash light, garage door opener, LED lights in frunk, trunk, and saddlebags, RAM mounts and cradles for tablet (for GPS) and phone (for music), and Smooth Spyder belt tensioner.
Thanks for all the great info and help. I agree that the company in English probably me best source. The riding season is over in this part of the whole. I am work on it during the winter.
If I recall Hall effect sensors are so called phase sensitive as well. Might be the key to moving the throttle. So what was the name of the company that moves the throttle? I seem to have missed it. Oh, we might consider changing this to a Left Hand Thread.
Patrick
2011 RTS 2006 Yamaha Morphous
2017 F150 2015 MINI Cooper S IBA 56167