Prosthetic Arm Terminal Devices for Use on Motorcycles

Prosthetic Arm Terminal Devices for Use on Motorcycles

Often motorcyclists who have suffered the amputation of an arm, forearm, or hand (or have a foreshortened arm from birth) find it beneficial to use a specialised prosthetic terminal device that is designed to connect to the handlebar of a motorcycle.

This can be a great help in controlling the motorcycle and in helping the rider to maintain the correct riding position.

Using a prosthesis in this way can significantly reduce the amount of effort that the fully functional arm and hand would otherwise be required to do, thereby greatly reducing the rate of cumulative fatigue in that hand, arm and shoulder when riding.

There are a number of prosthetic terminal devices available that are designed for this type of function.  Some are designed to plug into the standard type of socket that is now common on many types of prosthetic arm, others are an integral facet of a prosthetic arm designed specifically for this purpose.

Mountain Master (Fillauer TRS Inc.)

• Two-unit system:
  • Ball pedestal unit: Attaches to the handlebar with an aluminium clamp.
  • Polyurethane terminal device: Plugs into a prosthetic arm and clips onto the ball pedestal.
• Features:
  • Flexible, shock-absorbing body.
  • Stainless steel ball-pedestal mount and machined aluminium clamp.
  • Fits 7/8-inch diameter handlebars.
  • Snap-on (the handlebar) and lift-off function.
  • Adjustable tension system.
  • Quick connect and release.

For more information see: https://www.trsprosthetics.com/product/bicycling-mountain-master/

Mountain Master Terminal Device

Criterium Pivot (Fillauer TRS Inc.)

• Single-unit device.
• Made of hard-wearing polyurethane.
• Plugs into a prosthetic arm and clips directly onto the handlebar with a flexible jaw.
• Designed for both motorcycles and bicycles.

For more information see: https://www.trsprosthetics.com/product/bicycle-criterium-handlebar-adapters/

Criterium-Pivot Terminal Device

Mert Lawwill Prosthetic Device

• Two-unit system:
  • Socket: Mounted to the handlebar with a steel clamp.
  • Quick-release terminal device: Incorporates a ball pedestal attached to the prosthesis which clips into the socket on the handlebar.
• Made entirely of steel.
• Originally designed by Mert Lawwill for Harley-Davidson grass track racer Chris Draayer after an accident in 1967.
• Incorporates a quick-release mechanism.

For more information see: https://mcopro.com/prosthetics/technology/mert-lawwill-device/

Mert Lawwill Terminal Device

NB. Other types of terminal device that can also be used for this purpose are available. Those listed here are just a few examples that my research has shown to be fit for purpose.  The NABD is not in a position to ‘recommend’ any specific device, as doing so could lead to issues of liability. 

These devices fit standard 7/8-inch handlebars.  Some may work with 1-inch handlebars, but further research is required to establish this.

With any device used to connect a rider to the handlebars of a motorcycle, it is essential that the connection can be easily broken in the event of an accident or the bike being dropped.  Each of the terminal devices detailed here satisfy that criteria.

If you have personal experience of using other types of terminal device successfully, please get in touch via email to, adaptations@thenabd.org.uk and help us to build a comprehensive library of what is available, so we can better inform riders who might benefit from it.

Other Arm Disabilities:

Terminal devices like these could no-doubt be adapted to suit riders who suffer paralysis due to Brachial Plexus injuries or other conditions affecting the function of an arm or hand.

Adapting a ball and socket system or a direct clip system to attach via a motorcycle glove or some form of wrist brace should certainly be within the capabilities of the clever prosthetic engineers employed by companies such as Dorset Orthopaedic (who have recently merged with Pace Rehabilitation). https://www.dorset-ortho.com/.

NB. Other prosthetists are available.

Financial Assistance:

Where necessary, there may be some funding available from the NABD Adaptation Grant system toward the cost of purchasing, fitting, or adapting, these types of terminal device. For further information, see: https://nabd.org.uk/a-guide-to-nabd-adaptation-grants/.

When it comes to motorcycling, a disability need not be a handicap.

Rick Hulse
NABD Chairman