Wanting to ride with vestibular issues
Discussion
I'm due to go abroad in the near future (hopefully, if another wave doesn't hit) and would really like to be able to ride, so will be doing my CBT as where I'm going, you really need to know how to ride to get anywhere out of my parents village. I do, however, want to be able to ride here in the UK too.
I've been advised that riding may help with my issues, but always avoided it because I thought my issues may render me useless on a bike. I can drive absolutely fine though. Was thinking maybe stick to 125 for a little while but depending on encouragement, may just go for the DAS.
Some info on me currently: 36yo, minieres disease, partially deaf, tinnitus, neck issues.
The question I have though is has anyone with vestibular or hearing issues successfully ridden and enjoyed it?
I've been advised that riding may help with my issues, but always avoided it because I thought my issues may render me useless on a bike. I can drive absolutely fine though. Was thinking maybe stick to 125 for a little while but depending on encouragement, may just go for the DAS.
Some info on me currently: 36yo, minieres disease, partially deaf, tinnitus, neck issues.
The question I have though is has anyone with vestibular or hearing issues successfully ridden and enjoyed it?
My suggestion would be to find a friendly training school and speak to an experienced and sympathetic instructor.
The menieres would be my biggest concern; depending on how well controlled it is and how your balance is would most likely be the deal-breaker.
If you generally don't have the full-on vertigo experience or if you are good at dealing with it then the hearing and neck issues can generally be worked around.
The menieres would be my biggest concern; depending on how well controlled it is and how your balance is would most likely be the deal-breaker.
If you generally don't have the full-on vertigo experience or if you are good at dealing with it then the hearing and neck issues can generally be worked around.
From the things you describe suffering from, it sounds as though you may have issues performing 'Life savers' while riding?
Unfortunately they are a fundamental part of completing your CBT as well as passing any subsequent licence tests.
Just incase you're unsure what a life saver is, you will have to perform a quick look behind you (not using the mirrors) before changing lane, moving in and out of each speed limit, approaching roundabouts etc .... if doing that causes you an issue with your balance or dizziness then it may be a non starter for you Unfortunately.
As already mentioned though, speak to a training school and they should be able to advise, a good school may even offer a 30 minute taster session in their yard? I know the school local to me does.
Unfortunately they are a fundamental part of completing your CBT as well as passing any subsequent licence tests.
Just incase you're unsure what a life saver is, you will have to perform a quick look behind you (not using the mirrors) before changing lane, moving in and out of each speed limit, approaching roundabouts etc .... if doing that causes you an issue with your balance or dizziness then it may be a non starter for you Unfortunately.
As already mentioned though, speak to a training school and they should be able to advise, a good school may even offer a 30 minute taster session in their yard? I know the school local to me does.
TotalControl said:
I'm due to go abroad in the near future (hopefully, if another wave doesn't hit) and would really like to be able to ride, so will be doing my CBT as where I'm going, you really need to know how to ride to get anywhere out of my parents village. I do, however, want to be able to ride here in the UK too.
I've been advised that riding may help with my issues, but always avoided it because I thought my issues may render me useless on a bike. I can drive absolutely fine though. Was thinking maybe stick to 125 for a little while but depending on encouragement, may just go for the DAS.
Some info on me currently: 36yo, minieres disease, partially deaf, tinnitus, neck issues.
The question I have though is has anyone with vestibular or hearing issues successfully ridden and enjoyed it?
I had a bout of menniers, very odd and thankfully it only lasted a few weeks. But driving helped in some way as it allowed me to focus, and i found the other symptoms went away then. But i did not ride my bikes when i had it, sat in a car moving arms and legs is one thing, riding a bike using most of body, balancing, leaning etc, quite another. I've been advised that riding may help with my issues, but always avoided it because I thought my issues may render me useless on a bike. I can drive absolutely fine though. Was thinking maybe stick to 125 for a little while but depending on encouragement, may just go for the DAS.
Some info on me currently: 36yo, minieres disease, partially deaf, tinnitus, neck issues.
The question I have though is has anyone with vestibular or hearing issues successfully ridden and enjoyed it?
My minieres is only after I wake up, maybe could last anywhere between 10 minutes to a few hours (I'll only know when I wake). I don't leave the house until I'm fine anyway now and the betahistine is somewhat helping. It is a royal pain in the arse trying to get somewhere for a particular time requiring me booking everything in the afternoon, sometimes when it's much worse I have no option but to walk it off.
Once about, I wear hearing aids but generally don't have an issue when I'm awake with neck etc. Just dull pains and groggy feelings. I tend to do some stretches and warm ups and find I'm good for the day. Gym is a thing that's done later for me too for the same reasons.
Turning and looking in the other direction isn't too much of an issue, I just get an uncomfortable neck if in an awkward position for too long, which brings about the headaches and tightness around my ears.
Funnily, it was a physio I went to see who advised that a motorbike might help as I'll be training my vestibular system more to normalise the issues and keep them controlled.
Once about, I wear hearing aids but generally don't have an issue when I'm awake with neck etc. Just dull pains and groggy feelings. I tend to do some stretches and warm ups and find I'm good for the day. Gym is a thing that's done later for me too for the same reasons.
Turning and looking in the other direction isn't too much of an issue, I just get an uncomfortable neck if in an awkward position for too long, which brings about the headaches and tightness around my ears.
Funnily, it was a physio I went to see who advised that a motorbike might help as I'll be training my vestibular system more to normalise the issues and keep them controlled.
TotalControl said:
My minieres is only after I wake up, maybe could last anywhere between 10 minutes to a few hours (I'll only know when I wake). I don't leave the house until I'm fine anyway now and the betahistine is somewhat helping. It is a royal pain in the arse trying to get somewhere for a particular time requiring me booking everything in the afternoon, sometimes when it's much worse I have no option but to walk it off.
Once about, I wear hearing aids but generally don't have an issue when I'm awake with neck etc. Just dull pains and groggy feelings. I tend to do some stretches and warm ups and find I'm good for the day. Gym is a thing that's done later for me too for the same reasons.
Turning and looking in the other direction isn't too much of an issue, I just get an uncomfortable neck if in an awkward position for too long, which brings about the headaches and tightness around my ears.
Funnily, it was a physio I went to see who advised that a motorbike might help as I'll be training my vestibular system more to normalise the issues and keep them controlled.
Have you learned how to the the head manoevuer thing that docs do to reset it? I had an appt to have it done cancel on me, so watched in on youtube, learned to do it myself, and did it each morning before getting up, really helped! Can remember what it is called but common treatment for menniers. Once about, I wear hearing aids but generally don't have an issue when I'm awake with neck etc. Just dull pains and groggy feelings. I tend to do some stretches and warm ups and find I'm good for the day. Gym is a thing that's done later for me too for the same reasons.
Turning and looking in the other direction isn't too much of an issue, I just get an uncomfortable neck if in an awkward position for too long, which brings about the headaches and tightness around my ears.
Funnily, it was a physio I went to see who advised that a motorbike might help as I'll be training my vestibular system more to normalise the issues and keep them controlled.
I am profoundly deaf in both ears and i ride and drive car/bike. I have poor sense of balance. It look long time to find a sign language tutor to teach me CBT and DAS, i passed last year in dec. I loved riding my motorbike (triumph street triple R) and been all over UK, possibility do Europe next year or so. No problem riding, bike do the balancing for you when you get up to speed.
Edited by vrooom on Thursday 10th December 01:00
Not sure what reset button I can push or activate to make me better but if there is one or an exercise that does this, I'm all ears. 
Vrooom, thank you for your insight. Nice to know that others with worse issues are still able to enjoy themselves. My only issue now really comes down to the comfort levels of having hearing aids in my ears and a helmet. I hardly have them in when I drive as I find I'm a little more aware of what's around me as the aids whistle sometimes, so put me off. If I have company in the car, then I've got no option but to keep them in really.
Vrooom, thank you for your insight. Nice to know that others with worse issues are still able to enjoy themselves. My only issue now really comes down to the comfort levels of having hearing aids in my ears and a helmet. I hardly have them in when I drive as I find I'm a little more aware of what's around me as the aids whistle sometimes, so put me off. If I have company in the car, then I've got no option but to keep them in really.
I didn't want to add anything before other people who know about Meniere's said it was OK to ride, so regarding this bit -
TotalControl said:
Was thinking maybe stick to 125 for a little while but depending on encouragement, may just go for the DAS.
I found the bigger bikes much more stable than the 125 I did my CBT on so even if you get on a 125 and find it a bit wobbly at least try out one of the bigger bikes. I certainly gained a lot of confidence on the CB500 I took out at the end of my CBT day compared to the skinny tyred 125.FunkyNige said:
I found the bigger bikes much more stable than the 125 I did my CBT on so even if you get on a 125 and find it a bit wobbly at least try out one of the bigger bikes. I certainly gained a lot of confidence on the CB500 I took out at the end of my CBT day compared to the skinny tyred 125.
Ditto. When learning, it is ten times easier to balance on a 500 than a 125.I think in reality, this is my issue. I need confidence. Not just for myself but also in knowing I'm alert enough to be safe.
I guess a 125 CBT will be the starting point. My brother has already done his mod 1 and has booked mod 2, but he's younger, healthier and more into bikes than me.
Speaking to him recently, he advised the same. Just don't bother with CBT only.
I guess a 125 CBT will be the starting point. My brother has already done his mod 1 and has booked mod 2, but he's younger, healthier and more into bikes than me.
Speaking to him recently, he advised the same. Just don't bother with CBT only.
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