[lovagoa]

Hi,
This Baloo from Hungary, Budapest.
I've lost my left arm in a motorcycle accident 2 years ago with GSX-R 1000 K2.
After quite long rehab and lots of work I've found the way to ride again with my specific riding arm.

Basically it has 5 spinning axles with a shock absorver made out of Carbon and Titanium.
I ride a Suzuki DRZ 400 E with a SuperMoto kit. Only conversion is my semi automatic clutch, which is from Rekluse.

I've created 2 clips about it:

- The beginning
YouTube - How to ride SuperMoto with one arm

- Track open day
YouTube - SuperMoto Ride with Prosthetic arm @ Track

Finally some more pics:
...from bikepics...

Rider Baloo

 

[55028]

Outstanding!

 

[mscuddy]

Amazing. You're like a bio-mechanical being now (al la the Terminator). From a person who can't ride anymore you give all us gimps hope to one day ride again. Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[55028]

There is a sprinter in South Africa who has been prohibited from competing against non-amputees. His J legs have been deemed an unfair advantage. As someone who has joint replacements already in the works, they want me to hold off as long as possible, and I will, I find all of this very positive. I hope solutions are found for us all. Can anybody unfuse a spine?

 

[seruzawa]

I can.

Can anybody unfuse a spine?

I have a Dremel, a skillsaw, a tablesaw and a sawsall.

 

[55028]

I have a Dremel, a skillsaw, a tablesaw and a sawsall.

I'll have to wait till I get done with the treatment for TB. Then I'll try that Absinthe thing and get in touch with you.

 

[vermicious]

That's freakin' awesome. Not just the mechanics behind it but the will. More power to you man.

 

[longride]

That is a hellava piece of machinery there! Nice stuff!

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Amazing. You're like a bio-mechanical being now (al la the Terminator). From a person who can't ride anymore you give all us gimps hope to one day ride again. Thanks for the inspiration.

Speaking of which, what's the deal on getting your sidecar rig? I wanna help! And when are you going to kick out another article? The holidays are over, get busy!

 

[lovagoa]

Thank You , means a lot to me!

 

[BrowningBAR]

Hell of a first post!

 

[mscuddy]

Soon Ken, soon...

Speaking of which, what's the deal on getting your sidecar rig? I wanna help! And when are you going to kick out another article? The holidays are over, get busy!

Right now I'm the "Master Distiller". Gonna change my name to Colonel Matt. Hope them revenuers don't get me!

 

[BrowningBAR]

Hey, if you need some custom labels for the bottling, let me know. I can whip you up some funky designs.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Lovagoa, or Rider Baloo, I'm curious about something, and I hope it's ok to ask: In addition to the extensive medical attention you needed just to survive your accident, your prosthesis must have been extremely expensive. How are those medical expenses handled in your country? Is it a private or public system? If it's public, was the artificial arm covered by "the system," or did you have to pay for it yourself? Whatever details on that topic you'd care to share would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[lovagoa]

Lovagoa, or Rider Baloo, I'm curious about something, and I hope it's ok to ask: In addition to the extensive medical attention you needed just to survive your accident, your prosthesis must have been extremely expensive. How are those medical expenses handled in your country? Is it a private or public system? If it's public, was the artificial arm covered by "the system," or did you have to pay for it yourself? Whatever details on that topic you'd care to share would be appreciated. Thanks.

Sure it's ok to ask, I'm happy to answer any kind of question.
The arm is originally from Canada as for riding bicycles.
When it had arrived with my mechanics, I added 2 more spinning axles to it and changed the shock absorver to a more tailor made one. Even the quick release system is a bit more advanced. It took almost 7 month for the whole process. It has the price of a new DRZ. This was financed by a foundation and a privately help rehab center.
I got some help from the "system", but not for this arm, I have another for daily use Dynamic Arm from Otto Bock, only that type is founded by the government and only 40% of the price.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

I admire your dedication to your sport, and your willingness to work hard to improve your situation! It's inspiring. God bless you, and ride hard!

 

[64493]

Lova...

I am a below the left elbow amputee as well. I enjoy cross country desert type racing. I do this without a prosthetic and I have finally hit the limit of my ability. Having to bend over to get my stub on the handle bars wears me out to quickly. I simply dont have the endurance to keep up while riding in this manner. I have been looking into an attachment such as yours as well as an auto clutch. You said Rekluse made yours? Is it a custom design or do they just make Auto clutches? Do you mind giving me the name of the people that designed your arm?

 

[pplassm]

Back in 1980, I raced with a guy in Tucson who had only one arm. He rode a Rokon MX bike with the left bar hacked off. It was weird, but he made it work.

 

[seruzawa]

Back in 1980, I raced with a guy in Tucson who had only one arm. He rode a Rokon MX bike with the left bar hacked off. It was weird, but he made it work.

Reminds me of a guy I saw in Glendale, Ca back in the 70's. His left arm was gone above the elbow. He rode a Panhead chopper with a jockey shift lever that was cleverly designed so that he could shift gear by pushing the lever with his left hip. Pretty weird at first but ya gotta admire the audacity of hope he had.

 

[lovagoa]

Dear Riders!
I've been posting pics and videos about riding my KTM 560 SMR with specially designed prosthetic arm.

Right now I'm representing Hungary in Slalom and Giant Slalom in the Winter Paralympic Games @ Vancouver

After the Games I will fly down to LA to have an interview with a prosthetic company which is interested in my Riding Arm. I will be in LA for 3 weeks and I really want to ride a SuperMoto. I have my arm with me but no bike and no gears... For the Moto I need Rekluse clutch!

If anyone has any idea where or when it can be possible, I would be very very thankful :thumbup:

Thank You
Rider Baloo

Ready Race Riding Arm Video