The Conquest motorcycle for wheelchair users
By Barb Dybwad 
posted Jul 12th 2005 8:00AM
posted Jul 12th 2005 8:00AM
Ever vigilant in our quest for the finest in Engadget company vehicles, our eagle eyes were drawn to this kickass wheelchair motorcycle. But wait, it gets better — its name is The Conquest. Shazam! Creator Alan Martin came up with the concept following an accident which left his son disabled, and designed the bike to be driven from the rider's wheelchair. Based on the BMW 850 or 1150, depending on your need for speed, the wheelchair bike will be officially released in August for about £18,500 ($32K USD).
I remember seeing this somewhere on TV years ago.
Same exact thing, a tricycle style motocycle, and it had a ramp in the back for the wheelchair to enter.
-- Elias
Wheelchair or not - That thing is friggin huge!
Huge yes
But Awsome
i'm a wheelchair user and i like a car better but hey, i'm glad to see stuff like this coming out, good for them.
I'm not in a wheelchair, but I smell chariot races...
This smacks of 'Silver Bullet'
Werewolf not included...
This thing is freakin' SWEET. I like the chopper style, and I love that it could be subsidized by the British government. I'm assuming the first thing most people are going to do when they get it, though, is trick out the engine. 0-60 in 8.6 seconds and an 85mph top speed? This thing is BEGGING to get rodded.
Remind anyone else of the Darwin Awards? What's next a wheelchair mod for an ATV for people who became a parapalegic due to an ATV accident? Maybe I'm turning into a wuss in my old age but I've seen so many people killed and injured on motorcycles and ATV's and the back of pickups that this just seems like a really bad joke.
The bike they used is the BMW R 1150 R. I just got one. They're freaking sweet!
Wait, wait, wait... you mean to tell me that the creator's son was disabled in an accident and he thought a proper response was to get him back onto a motorcycle as soon as possible? Fuck terrorists, I'm afraid of this guy.
Those of you who are making comments about the danger of a motorcycle for people in wheelchairs, let me ask you this: what makes you think having a disability means you have to be protected from the world?
Lots of people with different disabilities participate in some pretty risky sports, and some avoid risk altogether, just like anyone else, able-bodied or not.
A broken arm is a broken arm, and we all have a right to the thrills and risks we choose. The difference between someone in a wheelchair and someone walking around is one of 'em is using their legs. That's it.
Where's Cutter John when we need him?
cars with hand controls still require someone to move the wheelchair in and out. wheelchair-drivable vans are clunky, hard to park, and as expensive as this new vehicle. for a country like israel, with over 300 sunny days a year and (alas) many paraplegics, this could be an ideal solution.
Iam a Cripple with both lower limbs paralysed but with a strong upper body. i use a locally made tricycle by uganda cheshire home in katalemwa kampala uganda. i just dont know how i can express my happiness to such a modified machine to ease our movements.
but it is pretty expensive for us for example!!
how can we get a much cheaper one in uganda.
Regard pascal. Mobil +25675954773
All I can say is WOW!!! Finally a wheelchair motorcycle that looks great! Thank you! oh yeah, I am a wheelchair user. no worries.. ;-)
I am a wheelchair user (3-wheeled scooter), I think bike rocks hard! Finally, something that looks good for wheelchair users. Thank you!
For my final year project, I modified a motorcycle for a paraplegic.
I decided against a three wheeler though (sidecars and trikes) as they change the handling characteristics (roll instead of lean around corners)
What I used instead was a retractable stabilising system which holds the bike upright when going slow or stationary but it retracts out of the way whilst at speed so the rider can still lean into the corners.
Its also got a pneumatic thumb controlled gear shifter, integrated rear brake and ergonomic supports to hold the riders legs in place.
Cheek out www.dreamfit.com.au for more info.
For those with a wild side, our next projects are a hovercraft operated from a wheelchair and a ski boat that is accessible to peopel in wheelchairs.
Take care,
Darren Lomman