Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi all

Now I have a small problem. In 2001 I broke my left leg pretty badly and ended up with drop-foot. This means I cannot left my left foot.
This is a small problem as it would stop me from being able to change gear.

My question in that case is are there any bikes with different ways of shifting?
I was thinking on a sports bike but I'm just trying to get to know what's out there.
Recently for instance I have seen the Honda DN-01 which is a prototype but being a sexy bike and out in 2007/08 I would love to have one.

Any opinions on this would be great

Andy

Only two things come to mind at the moment, and neither sounds like it would fit the type of bike you are looking for.

First is the older Hondamatic. It is a standard with an automatic transmission. My buddy with only a left arm rides one.

Second is the cruiser with a hand shifter. Not sure if there is a way to add one to an existing bike, but you see them on the custom bike shows every so often.

Hopefully others will have some useful input.

Can you push down with your toes and your heel?

I see a lot of cruiser with heel-toe shifters. Push down on the front peg with your toes to shift down and push down on the rear peg with your heel to shift up.

There's Ridley motorcycles, these are real motorcycles (not scooters) with automatic CVT. But they are cruisers, probably not what you're looking for.

Thanks for all your help.

Your perfect with all your advice. jonnythan yes i can push on heel and toe which would work great.

I know I wasn't really looking for a cruiser but if I even want to get off twist-n-go it may be the way I have to think.
As I'm new to riding I thought I would find out what I could possibly do.

The idea of a bike version of paddle shift (ferrari) style system may be an idea. Tell me if i'm being completely stupid but could you not make a simple system where you replace the clutch lever with a system of up with finger down with thumb. I had a mountain bike which had a gear system like that.

Andy

ruek23 wrote:Thanks for all your help.

Your perfect with all your advice. jonnythan yes i can push on heel and toe which would work great.

I know I wasn't really looking for a cruiser but if I even want to get off twist-n-go it may be the way I have to think.
As I'm new to riding I thought I would find out what I could possibly do.

The idea of a bike version of paddle shift (ferrari) style system may be an idea. Tell me if i'm being completely stupid but could you not make a simple system where you replace the clutch lever with a system of up with finger down with thumb. I had a mountain bike which had a gear system like that.

Andy

It seems to me that wouldn't be much of a challenge at all for a standard or a sport bike.

I'm not sure if anyone manufactures that sort of thing for the types of bikes that you want, but I'm sure *someone* does.

Orthopaedically, your dropfoot issues may be corrected with an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). It may also help you regain normal gait.



An AFO, a 3/16" piece of moulded polypropelene, will hold up your foot and ankle in a 90 degree position, the plastic passively resisting your "toes down" or plantarflexed position. The AFO will fit into your shoes/boots so you can wear regular shoes/boots. You can contact your local orthotist for a consult. For comfort and best utility for walking I'd recommend a custom built one, but an off the shelf model may work for you. Because you are not weight bearing while riding an inexpensive one may do. You would need no motorcycle mods to ride, and you can ride any bike. It's best to start with a beginner friendly bike. To shift up you'd need to raise your knee, but in time you'll adapt. It's not a huge difference to learn.

Note that most sportbikes have a "lean forward" position which might make your ankle want to dorsiflex (toes up position) more than you would like. The Ninja 250 and 500 may be the exceptions.


I saw the American Chopper's Tuttles do the Intel bike and had left hand button up/down shifters, but they needed to digitize the whole bike and needed electronic actuators for the actual shifting. This means you'll probaby need a computer on board to monitor everything, hopefully not running Windows.

There's the suicide/jockey shifter I see on biker buildoff type shows with Jessie James. Mostly on old Indians and Harleys.

If there's a will there is always a way. Dropfoot won't stop you from riding.

Thats the thing I used to have one.

For starters they sweat (its plastic). They rub like hell (even custom ones) and if you try and pad it out you then end up with an odd shaped calf muscle.

I have tried a normal bike and lifting the knee is not a great idea on a sports bike. This could affect balance etc.

I know its possible now and basicly I have got to find the best way of doing it.

ruek23 wrote:Thats the thing I used to have one.

For starters they sweat (its plastic). They rub like hell (even custom ones) and if you try and pad it out you then end up with an odd shaped calf muscle.

I have tried a normal bike and lifting the knee is not a great idea on a sports bike. This could affect balance etc.

I know its possible now and basicly I have got to find the best way of doing it.

Yea, all is not perfect. The AFO is hot but you could get one with holes drilled in the calf area for better ventilation. It'll still be hot. A custom made AFO should not rub anywhere and should not need any extra padding. Custom made AFOs start with a plaster cast of your leg, and is a perfect replica of every nook and cranny of your bony structure and musculature. The polypropelene is heated up in an oven and when droopy is hot draped over the cast, giving you a perfect fit. If you experience rubbing you need to get better shoes, tie up your shoes tighter, wear boots, or go back to the leg guy who made it and have him change it. Cheaper off the shelf AFOs will not you as well. That's the definition of "custom".

I dont know about the odd shaped calf muscle. You shouldn't have padding back there anyway. Padding is only for sensitive bony prominences that stick out or have painful pressures applied to them, not where you have large cushy muscles. Your comfort is most important, so change it until you're happy.

Maybe you should start on a beginner cruiser, get your riding skills up and then switch later. Riding a cruiser is better than not riding at all. And what's the matter with cruisers (I ride one)? Your first bike is not your last.

ruek23 wrote:Hi all

Now I have a small problem. In 2001 I broke my left leg pretty badly and ended up with drop-foot. This means I cannot left my left foot.
This is a small problem as it would stop me from being able to change gear.

My question in that case is are there any bikes with different ways of shifting?
I was thinking on a sports bike but I'm just trying to get to know what's out there.
Recently for instance I have seen the Honda DN-01 which is a prototype but being a sexy bike and out in 2007/08 I would love to have one.

Any opinions on this would be great

Andy

If the only issue is shifting gears with the left foot, get a Kliktronic gear shifter or a Pingel Electronic Shifter is a piston that actuates the gear shift lever. It is controlled by a button on the handlebar. It's a little pricey, but you can move it when you sell bikes or upgrade to something different.

PM me if you have any other questions related to bike mods for physical restrictions.

Kliktronic site: http://www.kliktronic.co.uk/

Pingel site: http://www.pingelonline.com/eshifter.htm


If you need ideas for a heel toe shifter, I have pics and link for that as well.