Are there any cruiser owners in the North East who can help out a disabled hope to be biker?

[cyclingwilly]

Good afternoon everyone, after some advice or help if possible, due to my disability (right leg below knee amputation and some surgery), I cannot bend my leg anywhere near 90 degrees, so keeping it on the footrest on a normal bike is a no no. I do have some feeling through the prosthetic and can operate the brake through the sensation I get in the residual limb, from this, the best option for me is a cruiser with forward controls. I wanted to sit on a Vulcan before the last lockdown, but didn't get much feedback from the salesman, nor would he entertain adjusting the Ergo fit system to try and find the best fit for me.  He kept looking at his watch, so I got off the bike and left.

 

As I'll be using the bike to take my tests on, is there anyone in County Durham/Tyne & Wear who has a Vulcan I can try or another cruiser like the Honda VT or other Japanese models, I could sit on and find a comfortable ride? I know the Vulcan can be made A2 compliant as it doesn't have the 67bhp minimum, so will be reduced to 47, this will mean after I pass my test, I'll be limited to bikes that have been or can be made A2 compliant, thus reducing my choices, but this doesn't bother me as I'll just be happy to get out and ride.

 

Any help or assistance will be gratefully recieved.

 

Thank you.

[husoi]

Not close to you however have a 86 VT700c 

[Davidtav]

I’m sorry I can’t help. But that sounds abysmal service from the salesman. I would be making a complaint definitely 

[cyclingwilly]

Eventually got my wish and managed to sit on a Vulcan 650S, tried the Honda CMX500 first, but the foot pegs were too close and I couldn't get comfortable, then a Triumph Speedmaster, fantastic, but very heavy and my insurance wouldn't even consider me for the bike.

 

But the little Kawasaki was perfect, tried the full Ergofit and found a suitable and comfortable seating/footrest position, so the bike is ordered and should be delivered by late July, I might just wait the extra month and have it registered as a 71 plate on September 1st.

 

Happy days.

[fullscreenaging]

Glad you got sorted. 
 

I wouldn’t be able to wait a month knowing my bike was sat waiting for me.
 

Not sure the dealer would be happy with the bike taking up space either. 
 

Enjoy your new bike!

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

Congratulations. Let's have a picture of it.

 

I'm surprised the Speedmaster was an insurance issue. I have the Bobber and it's not expensive to insure. It is however quite a heavy bike though it carries the weight low down which make it immensely chuckable in the twisties.

[Bender]

Not sure how I missed your first post, I'm ne, glad your sorted, let us know how you get on  

[Mickly]

On 08/06/2021 at 15:03, cyclingwilly said:

Good afternoon everyone, after some advice or help if possible, due to my disability (right leg below knee amputation and some surgery), I cannot bend my leg anywhere near 90 degrees, so keeping it on the footrest on a normal bike is a no no. I do have some feeling through the prosthetic and can operate the brake through the sensation I get in the residual limb, from this, the best option for me is a cruiser with forward controls. I wanted to sit on a Vulcan before the last lockdown, but didn't get much feedback from the salesman, nor would he entertain adjusting the Ergo fit system to try and find the best fit for me.  He kept looking at his watch, so I got off the bike and left.

 

As I'll be using the bike to take my tests on, is there anyone in County Durham/Tyne & Wear who has a Vulcan I can try or another cruiser like the Honda VT or other Japanese models, I could sit on and find a comfortable ride? I know the Vulcan can be made A2 compliant as it doesn't have the 67bhp minimum, so will be reduced to 47, this will mean after I pass my test, I'll be limited to bikes that have been or can be made A2 compliant, thus reducing my choices, but this doesn't bother me as I'll just be happy to get out and ride.

 

Any help or assistance will be gratefully recieved.

 

Thank you.

Good to see that things are getting sorted albeit slowly.

 

Have you contacted NABD ( National Association for Bikers with a Disability) they can help with loads of stuff like insurance, bike mods etc.

https://www.nabd.org.uk/

[OAP bug eater]

AWW, sorry I missed this, I am in the N/E and own a Vulcan 800, I also have a similar problem to you, not an amputation but a damaged right leg which won't fully bend and as a result have always owned choppers or cruisers or bought 'forward footrests/controls' for bikes with 'normal' foot rest positions.

Glad to see you got sorted, enjoy your riding and the adventures it will bring.