One-legged biker hits dirt
Joacim refused to let losing a limb wreck enduro-riding dream
A Swedish motorcyclist is aiming to be the first one-legged person to compete in an enduro series after taking up off-road riding. Joacim Boive lost his right leg to cancer when he was 13 but was determined not to let it stop his dream of riding a motorcycle. His dad adapted a bike so he could apply the rear brake with his left heel and he became the first person in Sweden to gain a motorcycle licence with only one leg. “I rode everywhere for years,” Boive told MCN. “But then I had a very bad accident 16 years ago when I broke my pelvis and gave it up. I didn’t ride until four years ago when my wife suggested I take it back up as she used to enjoy riding pillion. I had a K1300S for a while – I enjoyed riding it on the back wheel! But it was too heavy so I bought a KTM Super Duke.” After buying the KTM, Boive won a trip to the KTM factory where he told them of his desire to try enduro despite having no off-road experience at all. KTM Sweden wanted to help him on his journey, by providing a 450EXC as well as some world-class off-road training.
“At first, even just standing up and turning was difficult,” added Boive.
“But I’ve mastered that now. I just have to be careful turning right – if I stall I cannot stop myself from falling. I’m training on a motocross track at the moment and I’m taking extra care with my knee because if I hurt it, I’ll end up stuck in a wheelchair.”
Boive’s goal is to enter a local enduro in July with a desire to reach the finish line having completed three laps. We’ll be following him on his journey, so look out for more updates along the way.
‘I have to be careful not to stall or I fall off’
JOACIM BOIVE, ENDURO RIDER