GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

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!

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:

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

pandy  :cheers:

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...

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.

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....

Quote from: mastrindyou 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!   :cheers:

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..

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

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.

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

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

Quote from: CrimSo 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!

unless your one of those freaks off the bme ring.

Quote from: Cal PriceOnce 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.

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

Quote from: Roadstergal

Quote from: Cal PriceOnce 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.

Quote from: pantabloI 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..

Quote from: FaxxxyI 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.

Quote from: Faxxxy
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:

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

If?
Sir crashes alot??

Dangly bits??  :o

Oh..like laces. Dangly bits just killed me! :lol:

pandy :mrgreen:

Quote from: RoadstergalThey don't have any dangly bits (like laces) to get caught in things they shouldn't get caught in.

Well, just in general it's a bad idea for dangly bits to end up in places they shouldn't be... doubly so on bikes...

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Ok...I had to shut my office door so that I didn't disturb the rest of the building...my monitor needed a good cleaning anyways.

The mental images are....unthinkable!  :lol:

pandy
/end threadjack

Quote from: RoadstergalWell, just in general it's a bad idea for dangly bits to end up in places they shouldn't be... doubly so on bikes...

Quote from: mp183Alpinestars Web Gortex boots.
Slim, waterproof and comfortable.  
They also make some models that are
cut lower.

+1.   :thumb:    

Sweet boots.  Not bad for walking in either which can be handy when touring and site-seeing.  I'm also a size 8, these boots fit under the shifter very nicely.

+2.  Love 'em.

Quote from: FaxxxyI hate it when my boot laces get caught on the clutch..

if i remember, i often fold my socks over the top of the boots and tuck my laces in under the fold, if that makes sense.

on my honda, i once had the rolled up cuff of my pant turn the choke on.  stalled the bike before i figured out what was happenind.

I rode for 2 years with running shoes and only scared the bejeezus out of myself once with the laces getting caught in the shifter. I needed boots that covered the ankle for my rider training course so I bought motorcycle boots.  Looked like regular hiking boots.  I couldn't easily get under the shifter and tried a few days of riding to get used to it.  Then I nearly dumped the wife off the back when I got my foot stuck during "spirited braking".  I took the boots back right quick.  As far as boots went, the Alpinestars felt great, as did a couple different pairs of Sidi boots.  I ended up getting a pair of Nitro boots ($100 Canadian instead of $500) that are honestly more comfortable than running shoes.

What kind of boots did you get?  Are they some funky, thick, Harley-guy goth boots or what?  It seems odd to me that you can't fit a size 8 in there.  If they're normal boots, maybe you're doing something odd with your riding position?  I dunno.

Ja, I think you guys are shifting with too much of your foot.  Toe under the shifter, just the toe.  Ball of the foot on the peg while riding, and it shouldn't be much of a movement to shift.

Quote from: RoadstergalJa, I think you guys are shifting with too much of your foot.  Toe under the shifter, just the toe.  Ball of the foot on the peg while riding, and it shouldn't be much of a movement to shift.

I just reach down and shift with my hand. Is that incorrect?

We're supposed to shift?????  :?  

pandy  :P

Quote from: hulap0prI just reach down and shift with my hand. Is that incorrect?

Quote from: hulap0prI just reach down and shift with my hand. Is that incorrect?

Just as long as you don't get your bootlace caught in the clutch.

I had my bootlace caught on the clutch once.  Except I was playing chicken on a tractor at the time.  Yeah, it sucked.  I really scared everybody, even myself.  The guy on the other tractor totally didn't expect it and he totally ditched his old man's tractor.  I don't think he was hurt though, but he deserved it.  He wasn't very nice to his then girlfriend.  As soon as he did  that I had no problem breaking my shoelace and everyone ran over to me to celebrate.  I got some attention that day, and I finally got some respect.  It wasn't easy being the new kid from the big city in a small town in the bible belt.  I can tell you this, an experience like that will make you want to DANCE!!!

Quote from: Jake Dbeing the new kid from the big city in a small town in the bible belt

:o I'd solve that problem one of two ways...

Plane Ticket
Bullet[/list:u]

Going to towns with less than 500,000 people scares me. :(

Quote from: Jake D.... I was playing chicken on a tractor at the time.  Yeah, it sucked.  I really scared everybody, even myself.  The guy on the other tractor totally didn't expect it and he totally ditched his old man's tractor.  I don't think he was hurt though, but he deserved it.  He wasn't very nice to his then girlfriend.  As soon as he did  that I had no problem breaking my shoelace and everyone ran over to me to celebrate.  I got some attention that day, and I finally got some respect.  It wasn't easy being the new kid from the big city in a small town in the bible belt.  I can tell you this, an experience like that will make you want to DANCE!!!

Hey I know you.... you're from that Footloose movie....  :lol:

Quote from: daneilahHey I know you.... you're from that Footloose movie....  :lol:

DAMNIT! :lol:

I wear alpinestars SMX3 boots whenever I ride. I've heard to many bad stories about people losing toes etc. I really rate these boots. They are comfortable to ride in and aren't too bad to walk around in.

I just wore a hole in the pad that is sewn on top of the boot that comes in contact with the shifter.  The boots are two years old and othewise perfect.
I love to shift.  The boots have about 20,000 miles on them in the two years that I have them.
Called Alpinestar and they asked that the  boots be returned and they will repair or exchange them.
Can't beat that.
The damage is more cosmetic than anything else.  There is still padding there plus the final layer of the boot.
Mike

Quote from: daneilah

Quote from: mp183Alpinestars Web Gortex boots.
Slim, waterproof and comfortable.  
They also make some models that are
cut lower.

+1.   :thumb:    

Sweet boots.  Not bad for walking in either which can be handy when touring and site-seeing.  I'm also a size 8, these boots fit under the shifter very nicely.

I wear my Doc Martins !  :thumb:

(http://www.browns58.com/doc1460.jpg)

They are comfy off and on the bike  :mrgreen: