Extreme Motus All-Terrain Wheelchair User Guide

Thank you for your purchase and welcome to the Extreme Motus family!

Your all-terrain wheelchair is built to unlock adventures that most people never thought possible. Our goal is simple: help you have an incredible time outdoors while staying safe and in control.

This guide will walk you through the basics of setup, safety, and best practices so you can get the most out of your Extreme Motus chair right from day one. Take a few minutes to review these tips before your first ride, and you’ll be ready to explore rough trails, sand, snow, and everything in between with confidence.

Have fun, stay safe, and we’ll see you out on the trail!
Ryan & Sam

Watch this helpful video

Extreme Motus Safety Video

Quick Start

1) Set Up

1. Hold a brake and lean chair back.
   
2. Unfold front wheel.
   
3. Choose front wheel position (upright vs reclined) and insert pins fully on both sides.
   

2) Load Rider (Always lock brakes first)

1. Lock parking brakes (pull lever + press lock pin).
   
2. Transfer rider using the safest method (team lift if needed).
   
3. Buckle 5-point harness and tighten shoulder straps snug.
   

3) Ride Basics

• Downhill: keep 2 fingers on brake levers and squeeze to control speed.
  
• Uphill: go side-by-side at a steady pace; use front pull strap if included.
  
• Turn/obstacles: lift front wheel slightly to turn; wheelie over rocks, lower gently.
  

4) Water Warning

The chair can float but is top-heavy—hold on. In deep water: life jacket and no seat belt.

Welcome!
 This guide teaches you how to safely operate the Extreme Motus All-Terrain Wheelchair, including unfolding, adjusting the front wheel position, transferring, restraints, braking, and team operation.

Important: Always use good judgment outdoors. Terrain varies. If you are unsure, choose a safer route or add more helpers.

Extreme Motus All-Terrain Wheelchair User Manual

You’re ready for your first adventure! The Quick Start gets you moving fast, but the pages ahead go deeper—so you and your team can operate the chair smoothly, confidently, and safely in real outdoor conditions. We recommend reading this once before your first trip, then using it as a reference whenever you’re heading somewhere new.

1) Before You Begin: Safety Basics

• Never leave the rider unattended in the chair on slopes, near water, or uneven ground.
  
• Use the brakes anytime you stop, load/unload, or transfer.
  
• Use teamwork for steep hills, obstacles, or heavier riders.
  
• Inspect before each use (quick check):
  

• Tires appear inflated (low pressure is normal—see Tires section)
  
• Harness buckles and straps are not twisted or frayed
  
• Brake levers engage and hold
  
• Pins are fully inserted in the adjustment holes
  

2) Unfolding the Chair & Setting the Front Wheel Position

You may receive the chair folded.

To unfold:

1. Hold a brake lever (keep control of the chair).
   
2. Lean the chair back slightly.
   
3. Unfold the front wheel into position.
   

Choose your front wheel position (2 settings):

The front wheel assembly can be set in two different positions using the pin holes.

• More upright / legs straighter: feet further forward, rider sits more upright
  
• More reclined / knees slightly bent: rider leans back a few degrees more
  

To adjust:

1. Align the front wheel bracket with your desired hole.
   
2. Insert the pin fully through the hole.
   
3. Repeat on the other side.
   
4. Confirm both pins are fully seated before use.
   

3) Brakes: Parking + Active Braking (Very Important)

The Extreme Motus uses disc brakes on each rear wheel.

Parking brake (for stops/transfers):

1. Pull back the brake lever.
   
2. Push down the locking pin to hold it in place.
   
3. Test by gently pushing the chair to confirm it does not roll.
   

Active braking (for downhill control):

• The brakes work like a bicycle: squeeze the handles to slow or stop.
  
• For descents, keep two fingers covering the brake levers at all times.
  
• Use the brakes to protect your knees and control speed—do not try to “muscle” the chair downhill without them.
  

Tip: Many first-time helpers try to slow the chair with body force. Instead:
✅ Cover the brakes → ✅ Control speed → ✅ Smooth descent

4) Transferring the Rider Into the Chair

Always engage the parking brakes before transferring.

Option A: Single-person lift (only if safe)

If the rider is light enough and you are trained/strong enough:

1. Lock the brakes.
   
2. Lift using safe technique.
   
3. Lower the rider into the seat.
   

Option B: Team lift (recommended for heavier riders)

1. Lock the brakes.
   
2. Two helpers coordinate a controlled lift and lower into the seat.
   
3. Communicate clearly (“Ready… lift… step… lower…”).
   

Option C: Assisted stand transfer (rider has some mobility)

If the rider can stand with feet shoulder-width apart:

1. One helper supports the rider’s hands/upper body.
   
2. A second helper wheels the chair into position.
   
3. Lower the rider into the seat in a controlled motion.
   

Option D: Assisted sit-and-rotate transfer (rider has some mobility)

1. A helper holds the rider’s hand for balance.
   
2. Rider sits down at about a 45° angle near the seat edge.
   
3. Rider rotates into position with assistance.
   

Safety note: Use the method that keeps the rider stable and the helpers safe. Add helpers if needed.

5) Harness / Restraint System (5-Point Harness)

Before moving, buckle the rider in.

This chair includes a five-point harness:

• Two shoulder straps
  
• Two waist straps
  
• One strap between the legs (fifth point)
  

To buckle:

1. Bring straps into place (shoulders and waist).
   
2. Click buckles securely (ensure you hear/feel engagement).
   
3. Feed the fifth point strap through the designated strap.
   
4. Tighten shoulder straps for a snug, comfortable fit.
   

Tip: You may need to loosen straps first before placing the rider in the chair, then tighten after buckling.

With the harness secured and side supports engaged, the rider is held safely in the chair during typical trail use.

6) Team Operation: Uphill Techniques

Uphill sections can be challenging. Use teamwork.

Method 1: Two-person push (side-by-side)

• Stand shoulder-to-shoulder and push together.
  
• Pick a steady pace and keep it.
  
• Avoid “competitive speeding up” that burns everyone out.
  

Method 2: Two push + one pull (best for steep hills)

Your chair may include a front pull strap.

• Two helpers push from behind
  
• One helper pulls from the front using the strap
  This combination can handle very steep terrain safely.
  

7) Steering & Turning

The front wheel is fixed, but the chair is well balanced and can turn by lifting the front wheel (“wheelie turn”).

Turning technique:

1. Slightly lift the front wheel.
   
2. Pivot to steer the chair into the new direction.
   
3. Lower the front wheel gently.
   

You can often control the chair with a light grip once balanced—focus on smooth, controlled motions.

8) Obstacles, Rocks, and Trail Features

Getting over obstacles:

1. Pop a wheelie to lift the front wheel over the obstacle.
   
2. Push forward and lift slightly to bring rear wheels up and over.
   
3. Lower the front wheel gently.
   

Controlled drop-offs:

• Lower the front wheel smoothly.
  
• Use brakes and/or controlled upper-body support to prevent a hard drop.
  

Side-lean technique:

Some rock sections require leaning the chair slightly to one side to thread between obstacles. Move slowly and communicate with your team.

Tip: Sometimes keeping the front wheel up helps reduce bumps for the rider.

9) Tires & Ride Comfort

The tires run at approximately 4 PSI.
This low pressure acts like suspension over rocks and uneven terrain.

• Do not overinflate unless specifically instructed.
  
• Expect a smoother ride once you learn to stay controlled and steady over obstacles.
  

10) Water Use (Read Carefully)

The chair can float once water rises above wheel height, but it is top-heavy, so:

• Always keep a firm hold to prevent tipping.
  
• In deep water, we recommend:
  

• Using a life jacket
  
• Not wearing the seat belt (so the rider can exit quickly if needed)
  

Only attempt water crossings with experienced helpers, safe conditions, and a clear plan.

11) Traveling on a Plane

• We have traveled all over the United States and even flown international with the Motus.
  
• Check the wheelchair just like a piece of luggage
  
• Lower the tire pressure to prevent damage to the wheels during flight.
  
• Bring something to pump the tires back up once you have arrived at your destination.

12) Motus Mover

If you purchased a Motus Mover with your wheelchair.

• Place the Mover into the 2” receiver on the back of your vehicle and insert the pin.
  
• Place you all-terrain wheelchair on the Motus Mover.

• The same pins used to lock the front wheel in place will be used to secure the front of the Motus to the Mover.
  
• Tighten the ratchet strap around the rear axle.

13) After Your Adventure

• Rinse off mud/sand if needed. Especially wash off salt water.
  
• Check straps and buckles for wear
  
• Check brake function
  
• Store the chair securely
  

14) Share Your Adventures

We love seeing where you go. Tag @ExtremeMotus in your photos and videos so we can follow along.

Make nature wheelchair accessible. Keep adventuring.