Riders With Multiple Sclerosis?

I was wondering if there are any other riders out there with Multiple Sclerosis.  I walk with a cane but have been riding since 2005.  My 2-wheeled normalcy.  Can't beat it!  Anyone out there?  

Just returning to riding after a 10 year hiatus. I was diagnosed with M.S. almost two years ago. I had been using a cane, but after 10 months of IvIG treatments, I no longer need the cane. I do, however, experience the occasional muscle spasm in my legs after riding for a while, or if I start off fatigued. I plan on installing highway bars on my Sportster (stock mid controls), which should help a little, since I can stretch my legs when necessary.  

I don't know what bikes can be fitted with it, but, I've seen devices that lower side wheels at low speed and prevent dropping the bike. This isn't the one I saw at Americade 2 year ago, but, it kind of works the same way, and it's a good demo of the concept.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOhP1HTZQwY  

This was an interesting thread to find! I have MS, and I walk with a cane. I was in a wheelchair for a couple of years, but I always figured there had to be more to life. I learned to walk all over again, then I learned (after many, many falls) to ride a bicycle again. And now I've been riding my V-Star 1300 for three years now. It's my main ride.
It wasn't easy, and I had to develop a ton of little "tricks" to help me do things that others would never even think about, but I did it. Biggest challenge was my lack of balance, and terribly long time for visual information to go from my eyes to my brain. I do understand that when certain things are going on, I stay off the bike.
I should also say that I'm actually a better rider than most of my old biker pals. And the reason for that, is simply that I practice constantly, and I never, ever take anything for granted. My wife rides with me and she's about as much of a scaredy cat as you'll find!

Ron

ps.
I developed a wooden folding cane that I use. I carve it from Oak and use brass hardware. It folds small enough to fit in my saddlebag, and still looks good enough for any establishment. I'll post a photo when I get a chance.  

just started riding this year. tried learning on a regular bike, but was having trouble with the leg/foot positioning and the shifting.  i have since discovered automatic scooters, currently, while stil in the learning stages, i have a roketa 150cc, but, next year, i hope to upgrade to a suzuki burgman 650.  

A tip about the shifting that really helped me, was going to the "heel toe" shifter with the floorboards. They keep my feet in position and I don't have to look down to see where my feet are. It takes a lot of practice, but you can do it.

Ron  

I have MS and I ride.  Even if walking is hard I can get on my bike and feel free still.  Sometimes it is a little scarey at a stop when legs are weak or shakey but I always seems to make it back home.  It is freedom to me and reminds me I have MS it DOESN'T have me.    

Forgot to mention I ride a sport bike.  

Been riding off/on x 20 or so years and became affected about 4 years ago.  Still no disability--hopefully never--and i find that I can still pretty much ride any bike.  That said, other old injuries including a busted left knee and a cruddy right achilles tendon are slowly starting to affect my riding.  Am considering a Piaggio MP3 500 cc leaning trike scooter.  Hope all on this post stay healthy, happy, and riding for many years!!!  

E-Man
Having tendonosis (chronic degeneration), and occasional bouts of tendinitis (Oww in the now) in the right Achilles tendon, I can sympathize. I did find the new "fitness sneakers" that are the craze actually help. Instead of the heel impact happening behind the heel, it's moved forward, and seems to reduce the stress.  And, as an added bonus, it gives a nice light stretch  to the tendon with every step. Takes a day to get used to it.  

I am soo happy I found this thread. it gives me hope in something. I am 41 yrs old, and was dx in 2003 with MS. I lost so much....gave up so much because of this. Then.....almost 8 yrs have gone by and very little is going on MS-wise. So I decided to join my husband as a rider.

I bought my HD sportster low in sept of this year. It got cold quick so Ive had very little time to enjoy it. Now I am soooo antsy about the warm weather rolling around to ride again.

Anyway! I am so so thrilled to see that there are others like me out there. That even with a little bit of "issues" you are able to continue riding. I have been having the mindset that.....with one blow I will be taken out and have to get rid of my bike. This has been depressing me, giving me anxiety, and making me feel down. Thanks for psoting this. Dee  

I read this thread and remembered the website for the extra wheels which allow you to ride without putting down your feet or having to support the bike at stops:

http://landingear.com/

I have looked at it and it seems to be a good system. The wheels raise and lower automatically and, if I remember correctly, lean when the bike leans at low speeds.

Not cheap! For those with leg problems, it will keep you in the saddle.  

I found this thread while looking for some evidance that supports the case that riding a motorcycle will cause the advancement of MS conditions.

I wondering if riders with MS stop riding due to the riding causing an issue or because the symtptoms made it to much of a risk to continue riding? My e-mail is jcsmith1014@comcast.net. I would appreciate your take on this. I've been riding for years and was just diagnost with MS. I am told I've it for many years but it's symptoms were so mild that I blew them off as other things. Symptoms now are becoming apparent. My Neurologiest is telling me i should NEVER ride a motorcycle becuase the riding will cause more damage and avDance the symptoms.
Does anyone know of any evendence that supports that?  

My wife has primary progressive MS.  We are pretty active in the MS world and have never heard of someone being told not to ride but as with everything else a second opinion can't hurt.  Actually most MS specialists will tell you to stay as active as you can.  Just being diagnosed usually means you are in the early stages and should be able to do the things you like to do "most of the time" the key being when not to.  Being smart about it and not risking yourself or others is the best course of action but if you are feeling good why not ride.  For my wife, whom is my passenger, the biggest issue is the heat.  Many MS person have their particular MS traits worsened by heat and as we all know you can get hot on a cycle especially if ride with a jacket and helmet.  There are so many factors that come into play with MS ie; is your vision affected, your balance, strength in your legs, things like that which affect your riding ability. AND, if you have not already go see a neurologist that specializes in MS.  Can't tell you how many MS people we've talked to that thanked their lucky stars when they made the change. There is a huge difference a neurologist and one that has MS as their specialty. Good luck to you as you tackle this obstacle.  

I do not have MS. But I do have a close friend who was parilized in a worked related accident. She had a co-work cut down a big pine tree and it landed on her. Her spine was broken so she lost movement in both legs. For years she had a dream of riding.Then Bombadier came out with the Can AM Spider. She went and checked one out and bought it.She glued magnets on the soles o her shoes to keep her feet on the floor board. But ever since it is hard to get her off it.