Conquest Wheelchair Motorcycle Amazes Consumers At Chicago Ability Expo

Hundreds of consumers found themselves pleasantly surprised at the Chicago Ability Expo that riding a motorcycle while in a wheelchair is now within grasp.

The first motorcycle designed to be driven from a wheelchair was on display at the Expo at Mobility Works’ booth July 9-11 in Chicago. Mobility Works is the exclusive dealer in the Chicago area. The Expo provides people with products of cutting edge technologies, free workshops of all kinds, and fun adaptive sports and other activities for people of all ages.

The Conquest is a unique wheelchair motorcycle, designed specifically for the handicapped community. This three-wheeled motorcycle offers sleek, stunning design, derived from Formula 1 racers. However, the benefits of The Conquest go deeper than mere cosmetics.

“Our bike was designed to help our customers in wheelchairs connect with their passion for riding. It was designed by people in wheelchairs for people in wheelchairs and that is why everyone who takes a test drive comments on how easy it is to drive” Mark Allen Roberts Mobility Conquest president said.

Mobility Conquest provided a demo bike at the Expo for consumers who wanted to test drive this new invention. Over 12 people drove the bike (and three of them now plan to own one). One customer drove over 4 hours to see this bike as he has been following it on the internet for 3 years and could not wait until it was available in the U.S.

Many consumers were surprised at how powerful the Conquest is. Powering this wheelchair motorcycle is a BMW-derived 1170 CC engine. This power plant is capable of producing a top sustained speed of 105 miles per hour. In addition, drivers will enjoy the fact that The Conquest is capable of 0 to 60 mile per hour times of just 7.6 seconds, ensuring that they are able to handle any situation they may face on the highway.

Mobility Works has a demo bike available for those customers who want to feel the freedom and the wind in their hair but could not make it to the show.

George Flores Musician, Harp Technician reconnects to his passion for riding motorcycles

After becoming disabled in a motorcycle accident five years ago, George Flores (39) of Chicago has still been able to work in his unique profession as a harp technician. As the first proved in world history with a spinal cord injury to service harps professionally, Flores uses a 6 foot instrument with the help of a standing wheelchair.

He has been repairing harps for 11 years. Before his accident, Flores traveled the world and worked for symphonies and orchestras in every major country. Flores was also in the music business as both a popular Thrash Speed Metal singer, & Guitar player from 1987-1993. In later years, he became one of the best Professional Harp Technician's all over the world. Flores has worked with famous people like Metallica and the S&F Symphony and the Chicago Symphony at Orchestra hall, to name a few.

George recently "got back on the iron horse" at the recent Abilities Expo held in Chicago. Over 20 active paraplegics expressed interest in the Conquest motorcycle you can drive from a wheelchair, and 12 actually participated in demo rides at the show. "I can’t describe the joy I see in people's faces after they take a demo ride and experience how easy our bike is to operate as well as feeling the wind in their hair," says Mark Allen Roberts, Mobility Conquest President.

Mobility Conquest Trike Featured On Denver's Channel 9News

On Tuesday July 13th, Adaptive AutoMobility was proud and fortunate to welcome Gregg Moss from Channel 9News to feature the latest in adaptive technology, the new Mobility Conquest Trike. The Trike is a revolutionary new motorcycle designed specifically for a wheelchair user to drive from their wheelchair. Your wheelchair goes where you go, unlike some bikers with non-accessible trikes that are forced to have someone follow them in a van with the wheelchair while they are riding with their friends. In this bike, your chair is with you and you are in control again, on your own, on the open road with the wind in your hair, the ultimate feeling of freedom!

The Mobility Conquest was invented in England by Alan Martin. Mr. Martin’s son was injured in a work related accident and he wanted to help his son ride motorcycles again. From those modest beginnings they have now sold more than 100 bikes in the UK in the last year, and have ventured across the pond to the United States. And don't think for a second that this bike is built for anything other than performance! Many people assume that this trike would go slow for safety reasons or because it is being driven from a wheelchair, but this machine was built with both safety and performance in mind.

Performance comes from the BMW's 1170 CC engine, the most powerful engine and front end suspension BMW makes, combined with a Formula One rear suspension. Everyone who rides it says the same thing, "Wow, this is surprisingly powerful". With 0-60 mph only taking 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 105 mph (due to a governor) you will have no problem keeping up with your friends.

The bike is well balanced as a result of the three wheel design and the push-button gear shifter is much easier to use than the original foot shifters. This bike has passed all U.S. road safety requirements, which is more than one can say about all the one-off creations people have come up with on their own.

For that rider who would like to customize and make their bike unique there are many options including radios, windshields, luggage racks, and custom colors. Not that you will need it though, as this bike is truly a head turner. With Batmobile references on an almost daily basis, you can rest assured this is one unusual, eye-catching bike!

This bike is particularly popular with Veterans and was the hit of the 2010 National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Denver over the July 4th weekend. The Conquest is truly a reminder to consumers with physical challenges that they can enjoy independence and the freedom of the open road just like any other biker!
Interested in knowing more? Contact us to schedule a demo ride!

Click on the picture below to visit for the full story and video which ran July 14th. It can be found on the home page, the link below, or look for the Gadgets segment by Greg Moss.

Adaptive AutoMobility was featured on a local news station for being an exclusive dealer of the Mobility Conquest Motorcycle in the metro Colorado area.

“It is the only bike that is actually a production motorcycle designed to be driven from a wheelchair. There are a lot of other trikes out there but they all require transfer,” Kevin Durban of Adaptive AutoMobility said. “It opens the road in a way wheelchair users have not had open to them in the past.”

The trike is fully road and track tested In compliance with the U.S. safety standards. A BMW engine allows the trike to accelerate to 60 MPH in 7.6 seconds, has six forward gears with reverse and keyless entry standard on all trikes. Each trike can comfortably accommodate a passenger and their wheelchair accessible needs with a unique designed front and rear suspension to help avoid any changes to driving or handling due to the increased weight of the passenger.

Wheelchair Veterans Become Bikers Again

The Mobility Conquest motorcycle, driven from a wheelchair, was presented at the Veterans Wheelchair Games July Fourth weekend in Denver. Over 600 wheelchair athletes came to Denver to participate in the Games. Mobility Conquest was a bronze sponsor of the games.

“We are honored to be a part of such an inspirational event” Mark Allen Roberts, Mobility Conquest president said.

In addition to showing the Conquest motorcycle in the Wheelchair Games Expo, Mobility Conquest Colorado dealer Adaptive AutoMobility provided demo rides for veterans who wanted to reconnect to their passion for riding motorcycles.

“We have a number of veterans we help here in Colorado each day with our accessible vans and adaptive equipment,” Kevin Durban, Adaptive AutoMobility President said. We enjoyed supporting the PVA and Mobility Conquest with this exciting new product for our community”

A number of veterans who thought they would never ride a motorcycle again, had a chance to put the Conquest to the test on a demo ride as they earned their riding gloves. Each rider said the motorcycle was surprisingly powerful and they could not believe how easy it was to operate with the push button shifting on the bikes handle bars. Many veterans are returning home with plans to contact their local Mobility Conquest dealers to book their demo rides. Check out the “Conquest smiles” from some of the veterans on the motorcycle you can drive from a wheelchair at the Conquest Facebook Fan page.

Have you earned your demo gloves yet? This week the bike will be on display at the Chicago abilities expo and a demo rides will be available for those that qualify.

Exercise Ideas For People In Wheelchairs

Sure, getting from point A to point B in your wheelchair accessible van, or motorcycle these days is easy but being healthy and prolonging your life takes a little more work and dedication.

You've heard that everyone should be exercising, but what if you have a disability? It's hard enough taking care of the basics if you're in a wheelchair or have other physical challenegs. If you've neglected your exercise routine, now is a good time to get started because it really can make you feel better. Aerobic exercise strengthens your heart and lungs, improves mobility and can increase upper body strength. Don't forget that exercise also reduces stress and fatigue and will increase your energy level and endurance, among other nice things.

One of the most important aspects of life with a disability might be maintaining emotional health. People with disabilities or chronic illnesses often feel angry, depressed, frustrated and confused. Exercise is an excellent way to help you cope with a disability. Not only will it make you stronger, but studies have shown that exercise helps combat depression. Keep in mind many exercises can be used no matter what your disability, especially stretching and range-of-motion exercises.

Generally, when you are in a wheelchair the exercises you should be concerned with are resistance exercises to improve your upper body strength and help reduce your chances of injury. One good place to start is with exercise videos which can be done in the privacy of your own home any time you want.

If you're interested in doing all of your working out at home, you might want to think about investing in some specialized exercise equipment. There are many new strength training machines available for people in wheelchairs, as well as hand-cyclers and other cardio equipment. But, don't let a lack of special equipment keep you from your work out. If you have upper body mobility, try lifting your arms straight out in front of you, hold for a few seconds then lower. Next, lift your arms out to the sides (stopping at shoulder level), hold, and then lower. Do both of these exercise 15 to 20 times and, as you get stronger, hold light hand weights. More specific upper body activities include shoulder shrugs, overhead presses and bicep curls.

If you're competitive, why not get involved in organized sports? Participate in Wheelchair sports. Find events near you that include basketball, archery, fencing and more. If you need help with training for a specific sport or event, the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) can help you find fitness programs in your area.

Now, lock into your accessible van or motorbike and drive to a gym or to buy workout equipment for your home.