Your Prosthetic Leg and Your Motorcycle: Tips to Enjoying the Road After an Amputation

Your life didn’t end after getting your prosthesis, and neither should the things that you enjoyed previously. At first, it may seem a bit daunting—after all, how are you going to trip the toe lever to activate the rear wheel brake? How are you going to shift the gears? How are you going to balance the bike?

Luckily, there are a few modifications you can make to adapt your bike to work best for you:

Heel Extensions: These additions will help you manage the brakes and shifters that are operated by a toe lever. While you can’t typically buy heel extensions off-the-shelf, your local shop should be able to put something together for you.

Move the Brakes: Another modification you can make is to move the rear brakes. If you have a prosthesis on the right side, you can have the shop move the brakes to the left side. Or, you can move the brakes to the handlebars. Some bike models already have the front and rear brakes interconnected, so it may not be something you have to worry about!

Modified Shifting: Many bike shops can modify how you shift gears by adding a thumb button on the handlebars. Another modification is what’s known as a “quickshifter,” which is essentially a clutch-less gear.

Hand levers: Getting back on the hog can be tricky if you have an above-the-knee prosthesis. Keeping the bike upright when you’re stopped and operating the side stand is no easy task. Place a hand lever extension below the tank and link the side stand to it.

Floyd Brace strives to help you live the life you want, free from limitations. Make an appointment with our office today and find out what it’s like to live without limits.