Biker Culture: ‘Drunks’ Share Tips on Riding a Harley If You Have MS

An MS diagnosis no longer means you have to hang up your helmet for good.

Typically, when Harley enthusiasts hang up their helmet, it’s not because they want to. More often than not, it’s because they have to. Disease, disability, or just plain old age can get the best of us, no matter who you are. That is also true with multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable disease that wrecks havoc on the central nervous system.

Most folks with MS probably just assume that their riding days are over. But as we recently learned, there are a number of Harley enthusiasts out there riding every day in spite of their disease. The key, Multiple Sclerosis News Today writer Ed Tobias discovered, is to seek out the advice of those already doing it.

Tobias reached out to a number of folks in a Facebook group called We’re Not Drunk, We Have MS and came back with a wealth of useful information. Much of it, interestingly enough, similar to the solutions we recently provided for disabled riders. Like riding a trike, which quite a few M.S. folks do. The extra stability afforded by three wheels helps compensate for the balance issues many with MS suffer from.

Even if you prefer the two wheel variety of Harley, there are several modifications that can help. These include hand controls that allow you to shift gears with the push of a button. Aftermarket brake levers, reverse gears, and automatic clutches allow motorcycles to be operated entirely by hand if needed. And landing gear can help greatly improve cornering stability.

Avid Harley enthusiast Denise Sellers also provided Tobias with some great tips for riding with MS. Above all, ride with others and make sure they know to look for warning signs. Take lots of breaks and don’t push yourself. Be sure and stay hydrated, fed, and take a cool drink with you. Things like dehydration, hunger, and heat are the enemies of MS sufferers. But if you manage them properly, there’s no reason why you can’t continue to enjoy your favorite hobby.

Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.