Who wears "bike" boots on their GS500e?

[Crim]

Forgive me, for I am a bike n00b.  I'm buying new riding gear for my new/first bike.  Its been suggested by a couple people to buy bike boots that protect the ankles.   I went over to World on Wheels here in Atlanta, and picked up a set of boots.  

Now I'm not a really big guy, wear a size 8 shoe.  So I brought them home and went to see how they felt on the bike.  It seems as tho the boot is too thick to get under the shifter pedal.  When I do slip it under, it gets stuck and rather akward to get it out from between the pedal and the foot peg.  I can only imagine this would be far from safe having my foot wedged in there, and being unable to downshift easily or stick my foot out when comming to rest.

Anyone else have this problem?  Is the boot just too big, should I try to find a slimmer boot?

Thanks!

[big torque]

I felt the same way with my boots, but after riding with them a couple times, they feel perfectly natural.  IMO, it's just something you need to get used to.  And you'll get used to them pretty quick.

That said, maybe some boots are better than others.   :dunno:

[pandy]

Mine felt the same way at first, but I got used to it after a week or two.

pandy  

[Crim]

So you think I outta just try riding w/ the boots and get used to em?  Maybe they just need to be broken in a bit...

[goat]

don't worry about the question. we were all noobs once. even davipu.

I was wearing my steel toed work boots before I bought some riding boots for the same reason (ankles). It took me a while to get used to them becuase the toe is smaller than my work boots. I had to learn to move my foot more when shifting.

I still wear my work boots when I am going to work, though. The whole changing shoes is a huge PITA when you don't have anywhere to put the second pair of shoes.

Walk around in your riding boots for a while, and see if they get any better but if you still feel unsafe in them, find something else to wear while riding. Just not tennis shoes. The last time footwear preferences were voiced, several people mentioned using military surplus boots and other things like that so there are other options than pure riding boots.

[mastrind]

you can also adjust the shifter.....just remove the pinch bolt, pull it off, and rotate it up a little (as much as necessary)....best to do with bike on centerstand, that way you can climb aboard and test the shifter before putting the pinch bolt back in....

[Crim]

you can also adjust the shifter.....just remove the pinch bolt, pull it off, and rotate it up a little (as much as necessary)....best to do with bike on centerstand, that way you can climb aboard and test the shifter before putting the pinch bolt back in....

Werd!  I was looking at that earlier, but the thought of adjusting it up slightly never cross'd my mind for some reason!  I guess thats why I'm a n00b.  

I bumped it up one notch and it feels perfect!  Thanks!  

[Grainbelt]

I'm still boot shopping. For now, still rocking a mid-height pair of full leather hiking boots with a relatively thin sole.  I feel weird commuting in dress shoes, the boots feel much more secure. Kinda like driving a manual car barefoot is fun but inaccurate..

[mastrind]

glad I could help.....it's all part of the learning process....

[Cal Price]

I have a pair of Frank Thomas Aquaboots (8) and I often ride in steel-toe workboots. Once you get familiar with the machine you will find that only very rarely do you actualy put your toe under the shifter. You tend to use the edge of the boot to lift it from outside rather than under.

it comes with experience, when you start you tend to hover over brake and shifter, as you get more experienced and confident you adopt a much more comfortable and relaxed position with the ball of you foot on the rests or heel with foot slightly outward whichever suits your style best.

It won't be a problem.

[davipu]

don't worry about the question. we were all noobs once. even davipu.

yeah but I searched and read, and got over it really quick.

[pantablo]

So you think I outta just try riding w/ the boots and get used to em?  Maybe they just need to be broken in a bit...

yes. thats normal. adjusting the shifter works too...there's never a good reason not to wear gear!

[davipu]

unless your one of those freaks off the bme ring.

[Roadstergal]

Once you get familiar with the machine you will find that only very rarely do you actualy put your toe under the shifter. You tend to use the edge of the boot to lift it from outside rather than under.

I always lift from underneath.   :dunno:

Shifting in bike boots took some getting used to, but it gets natural awfully fast.

[mp183]

Alpinestars Web Gortex boots.
Slim, waterproof and comfortable.  
They also make some models that are
cut lower.

[pantablo]

Once you get familiar with the machine you will find that only very rarely do you actualy put your toe under the shifter. You tend to use the edge of the boot to lift it from outside rather than under.

I always lift from underneath.   :dunno:

Shifting in bike boots took some getting used to, but it gets natural awfully fast.

I shift from underneath too-on my old gs and on my cbr. now using the clutch...thats a different story.

[Faxxxy]

I shift from underneath too-on my old gs and on my cbr. now using the clutch...thats a different story.

I hate it when my boot laces get caught on the clutch..

I have a nice dent in my left boot where I shift..
Even though I have a heel toe shifter, I still just use the toe..


The shifter ride is adjustable too.. If there is not enough room, you can adjust your linkage..

[Roadstergal]

I hate it when my boot laces get caught on the clutch..

I'm trying to imagine the position that allows that to happen...

Oh, that's another reason for motorcycle-specific boots.  They don't have any dangly bits (like laces) to get caught in things they shouldn't get caught in.  If I'm in an accident, getting a bootlace caught in the chain is not going to help things.

[gazingwa]

I hate it when my boot laces get caught on the clutch..

Now I'm impressed...  how exactly does your foot get up there... or do you just hang shoes from your handlebars? :dunno:

[Faxxxy]

If I'm in an accident, getting a bootlace caught in the chain is not going to help things.

If?
Sir crashes alot??