A bunch of us, including my Uncle(see above post) went to a rally a couple years ago. We all got together and went to one of the local hang-outs for dinner. It was dark when we left at about 10:30 or so. My wife and I were on my bike just kind of hanging back behind my Uncle on our way back to camp. My Uncle gets behind a semi, you know the ones with the nice shiney almost chrome trailers!?! So you've got this guy with one eye folllowing this bright *** trailer with his headlight glaring off the back of that trailer like a spotlight on a deer.And we're only doing about 35 MPH on I-5 because he can't see. The funny part is, he would have been better off if he would have passed the semi and not had the glare.

 

SoftailB sounds like he may have more of a problem than the prosthetic eye with what you have just explained. Most of us as, we get older start to have less ability to see well as it gets darker - even leading up to night-blindness. Diminished vision in the dark, combined with only one eye, can lead to a deadly combination if he's driving at night. Personally, if I were he, I'd avoid driving at night period. JMHO

 

Gotcha. I'm glad you won't discourage him. Nothing worse but encouraging him to do it and do it safely, now that's a start. If he is your friend, he may end up being your best riding buddy.

 

I have had a student who was blind in one eye and he rode just fine. I have also had several students who are deaf and got thier license with no troubles.

 

Heres a perspective that i dont believe has been covered yet.

I am a LD rider. I went camping with the boys and got shot. the round practically servered my right arm and it was going to be amputated, but they worked with it and saved it.
During one of my operations in 07 i suffered a stroke and lost my vision in the right peripheral (0-180 degrees) in both eyes. 1/2 blind. Throw having a screwed up right right arm into the equation.

I didnt think i could adjust to riding again, but it turns out that the arm is more of a PITA than my vision. MY LD days are about done.
I put a little convex mirror on my right side to help with the shoulder checks. I have addapted, but i ride just a touch slower.

Your friend is use to existing with his one eye. he will adjust and you should encourage him if he wants to try it. I dont see a reason why he wouldnt be successful if he enjoys the ride. I would help him. Push for the MSF course, where he will see how his vision will affect his skills with the helmet and cornering,etc. he doesnt have to get his license if he doesnt feel comfortable. If he can afford a HD, he can afford the course.

Now, I have had the **** scared out of me, due to my vision. But, thats my choice and mistake. I was just up at Bikefest this past weekend and had a damned blast. I didnt run into anyone... that i remember. stroke and all.

 

I'm sure that he has learned to deal with his lack of depth perception. Both my brother and mother are almost blind in one eye and though they do not ride neither has ever had a car accident.

I once got something in my eye while riding and almost blew a curve I had been on a thousand times before. It looked different with one eye closed. BUT I was not used to it and had not learned to compensate.

 

yes, totally

 

Actually, learning to deal with lack of depth perception was one of the biggest obstacles in overcoming the near blindness in one eye handicap. The other was training myself to make sure I turned my head completely around to the left to make sure I was checking oncoming traffic with my right (good) eye and not depending on what little periferal vision I have in my left (bad eye) to pick up motion - requires more discipline than you would think because I do see something but not as much as I should.
Extra caution is never a luxury when you're out among the cagers anyway. And, by the way, I never take a risk of getting something in my good eye - always protective eyewear with the cushion seal around the inside of the frames and whenever travelling at any significant speed, the visor is closed. Hope this helps