Motorcycle & Sidecar Outfits

For wheelchair users who are able to stand and walk a few steps, simply adapting a motorcycle to hand-controls and fitting a sidecar for stability and wheelchair storage is all that is required.  In these cases, using a second-hand sidecar is often a practical option.

Other wheelchair users, who have suffered a greater loss of function in their lower body, but retain the ability to transfer independently, may require a motorcycle fitted with a custom-built, wheelchair accessible sidecar, that allows them to enter the sidecar in a wheelchair before transferring to the motorcycle seat.

Key adaptations:

• Electrically operated folding wheelchair ramps on the sidecar or a rear door the lowers to become a wheelchair ramp.
• An ergonomic and intuitive hand-operated control setup on the motorcycle
• A reverse gear or reversing mechanism
• The sidecar floor height optimised for easy transfer
• A mid-pad between the motorcycle and the sidecar to allow for two stage transfer
• A stable and comfortable riding position
• A back rest that affords longitudinal support but can easily be removed to allow easier mounting/dismounting
• Hinged armrests that afford lateral support
• A touring windshield to reduce wind pressure on the upper body.
• A lap strap or harness
• Footplates or running boards with Velcro straps to keep feet securely in place
• Thigh straps to prevent the knees splaying outward due to wind pressure
• A Gel seat to reduce the risk of pressure sores

1. Sidecar outfits are not necessarily a cheaper alternative to trikes. A professionally built bike and sidecar combination is often on a par with the cost of a trike conversion.

Adaptation Considerations:

• Rear Brake Adaptations:

There a several methods of adapting the rear brake system to hand control on a motorcycle.  Twin lever units, thumb brakes, or (if the bike has an automatic transmission) a lever on each handlebar, are all valid options.

• Gear Change Adaptation:

The most common way of adapting a standard manual gear change from a left-foot-operated pedal to a hand-operated control is to utilise a Kliktronic push-button gear changer kit.

1. These adaptation options, and others, are available in off-the-shelf ‘kit’ form, and details of these can be found in the ‘Adaptation Kits’ section of the NABD website; https://nabd.org.uk/adaptation-kits/.

• Reversing Mechanism:

As people who use wheelchairs are unable to manually manoeuvre a motorcycle/sidecar combination in and out of parking places or garages etc, a reversing facility is essential.

There are a number of options available including:

• Reversing differential gearboxes
• Inline reversing gearboxes
• Internal adaptation kits for the main transmission/gearbox (certain models of big twins)
• Electrical motorised reversers

Of the four, we have experienced the most dissatisfaction with electrical motorised reversers, with many reports of burnt-out reversing motors, damaged electrical systems and/or drained and damaged batteries.

1. I have yet to write a guide to reversing adaptations but check the ‘Adaptations’ section of the NABD website, because it will go on there when I have found the time to write it.

• One-off Adaptations:

Some adaptations, such as wheelchair ramps, detachable backrest with hinged side-supports/arm-rests and secure footplates, may require some development and fabrication to suite individual requirements.

We strongly recommend that customers and engineers work together to ensure these adaptations are best suited for the purpose and comfort of the individual.

• Seats:

We also recommend that seats are replaced with Gel seats rather than relying on Gel pads, both for the comfort of the rider and the appearance of the machine.

Ride-From-Wheelchair (RFW) ‘Chair Rider’ Motorcycle and Sidecar Combination.

A simple but elegant solution for wheelchair users who cannot transfer independently.

Originally designed and developed by NABD member, and T4 paraplegic, Mike Harper from Ebbw Vale in South Wales, the ‘Chair Rider’ RFW adaptation makes it is possible to ride a motorcycle/sidecar outfit directly from a wheelchair.

Mike has travelled extensively around the UK and Europe in his own Chair Rider outfit, which has enjoyed several motorcycles as its power-mill over the years and is currently powered by a Ducati M900 ‘Monster’ motorcycle.

As Mike was not in a position to produce the outfit commercially I asked him if he would mind riding it over to Caerphilly to let the guys at Trike Design have a look at it.

Hank and the lads at Trike Design could immediately see the potential in an outfit like this, so they got to work designing and building a very nice shiny prototype of a production outfit using a Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster as the power-mill, which they featured on their website and on their stand at NABD events.

Though it was their preference at Trike Design to use Harley Davidson motorcycles for the Chair Rider outfit, due to them having a tubular steel frame that lends itself to the fitting of a sidecar, they were happy to be commissioned for a Chair Rider outfit using a Triumph Rocket 3, which had a robust tubular steel frame.

Unfortunately, since 2020, the Rocket 3 has been produced with an aluminium frame which would require an additional steel subframe to facilitate use with a sidecar, this tends to be the case with a lot of modern bikes.

If you are considering having a sidecar fitted, consult a sidecar specialist to see if your bike is suitable.

The Chair Rider Adaptation Features:

• A wheelchair accessible sidecar fitted with handlebars with full hand controls and a remote steering adaptation.
• A mechanical steering linkage connects the remote steering adaptation to the forks of the motorcycle.
• Mechanical reversing mechanism.
• Rear door of the sidecar also serves as the entry ramp, lowered and raised via mechanical linkage. Electrically operated option available.
• Enhanced vehicle balance and stability compared to traditional sidecar outfits, due to the weight being more evenly distributed.
• Compatible with motorcycles that are suitable for use with adult sidecars. Some may require an additional steel subframe.

Chair Rider, Production Currently Paused:

Trike Design Ltd of Caerphilly, South Wales, ceased trading in February 2025, due to retirement.

We are currently seeking a new manufacturer for the Chair Rider outfits.  Updates will be posted on the NABD website and social media sites.

Rick Hulse

NABD Chairman