Quote from: jeremy_nash on May 08, 2009, 10:36:14 AM
I would think that with your foot in them, the back of them would be wider, providing alot more rigidity than when they are empty. try it again with an empty soda bottle (with the cap off) and let us know how that goes.  my guess is that it will be more rigid

I did test sidi B2 with soda bottle inside (coca-cola and poland spring)
poland spring bottle didn't make any difference and coca-cola bottle made the boot tiny bit more rigid, but still not good enough.

conclusion:
if you have money go for whatever roadstergal recommends!!

PS. I am sure though that even worst motorcycle dedicated boots will offer more protection than tennis shoes... 

Quote from: Bluesmudge on May 12, 2009, 11:37:44 PM

Quote from: guitarking135 on May 10, 2009, 05:55:11 AM
You know unless you plan on racing for just street riding I wear close shoes and jeans.... No real need for fancy boots nor is it really that practical.... Just don't be like these stupid kids... and adults and wear shorts and flip flops when riding

Sounds like the words of someone who has never hit the pavement wearing just jeans. I hope you never have too. Unfortunately, there are only two types of riders: those that have gone down and those that will go down. When it happens, you should be wearing the best gear you can afford.

actually I have I had to lay my bike down a few weeks after painting it to keep from getting hit by a semi so yea I do know what its like to go down. I just feel like its over kill

I love that myth "I had to lay my bike down"  Might wanna read up and do some more practice in swerving and braking. Almost, every collision is avoidable between driver and rider. Sometimes you have to be more defensive about it than a car but watch your Six's and always be alert.

"More than 30 years ago, before I even had an interest in motorcycling, I remember hearing talk among co-workers about what they would do if they were riding their bikes and saw an impending crash coming. They all agreed that the best thing to do was to deliberately lay their motorcycles down on the ground and avoid the crash. Some had even practiced doing this.

I didn't know anything about bikes except that I had always wanted to ride since I was a kid but never did. I thought that this seemed like a strange way to avoid a crash by becoming a crash yourself.

Perhaps this was in the days when tires weren't so sticky and brakes were drum only. I do know that the helmets weren't all that great and that many states didn't have helmet laws. So, it seems even more dangerous now as I think about it than it seemed then when I knew nothing about riding.

Today, the bikes stop faster, some even have ABS brakes to stop in a straight line on any surface.

The helmets are better, the apparel is better. The training is better and people aren't afraid to use their front brakes to stop faster.

So, be prepared with MSF training. Practice good braking techniques. Learn to avoid or swerve around problems and anticipate situations that may force you to react to save your life. Stay on your bike in an upright position. Don't lay your bike down and hope that it will slow you down. It may just flip you into traffic and make things much worse."

Also here are 9 other motorcycle myths discussed http://motorcycleviews.com/general/motomyths.htm

Mary

Sometimes "having to lay it down" doesn't mean you had a choice in the matter. The crash I had sorta recently as I was cresting a hill and a truck was coming at me, I tried to brake but next thing I knew I was on the ground. Lost the front end somehow...maybe because I was cresting the hill, maybe bad suspension, probably rider error. Never the less, I was practicing my panic stops the day before like I try to do often but when that split second happened, it was all instinct and survival reaction.
I agree though, I can't think of any circumstance where laying the bike down would be the best option.
.

Laying the bike down takes away all of your options.  Swerving takes away the fewest.

And laying the bike down changes the traction surface from rubber to plastic.  Plastic doesn't grip as well.  Braking will out-stop sliding, any time.

with mine I had no choice the I was in the middle of the turn semi ran a redlight it was hit the ground or hit the truck and well the ground seemed a lot softer.

Any idea if Sidi boots run big or small?

I have size 45 Doc marten's shoes (4 eyelet)  and they are pretty loose (I slide into them) I was wondering if I should get 44s or 45s in Sidi Crossfire TAs?  Roadstergal convinced me.

check this sidi sizing chart - I used it to help me choose B2 boots and they fit perfectly
A) just print this thing out (make sure that when you print no option to stretch or skew image is selected so the image prints in it's original size - this is VERY important - otherwise your chart will give you false information)
B) then tape the chart together according to instructions
C) put your foot on that chart and you should know exact size you need to order

http://www.sidiusa.com/contents/en-us/SIDIShoeSizer.pdf

"I HAD to lay the bike down"  is a staement that an idot makes.  You never HAVE to lay the bike down.  They say that to make themselves look better with all that road rash. If you purposefully dump your bike onto the concrete, asphalt, black top, tarmac, whatever you call it...youre a dumb ass.

Quote from: intergalactic on May 14, 2009, 10:39:35 AM
Any idea if Sidi boots run big or small?

I have size 45 Doc marten's shoes (4 eyelet)  and they are pretty loose (I slide into them) I was wondering if I should get 44s or 45s in Sidi Crossfire TAs?  Roadstergal convinced me.

The Sidi's are the first pair of Euro shoes I've owned, but the chart that kml.krk linked is pretty accurate.  My regular (US) shoe size is 9.5 - 10.5 (depending on brand), and I got the size 44 boots.  One thing to check of course is how the toe box fits your feet.  These are VERY rigid around the toes, so you might want to try and find a pair in your area to try on.  According to your location info (assuming its accurate  ), and the Sidi US distributors' website, there is at least one Sidi dealer in your area - http://www.greaterbostonmotorsports.com/   Go there and try on a pair and see how they fit.

Quote from: gs5oofever on May 07, 2009, 06:06:25 AM
Not sure how many of us there are out there, but I want to know:

What do you wear on your feet to ride?

I started out with brown crap kickers from Kmart. ha. Took bike class (MSF) in the 10 inches of rain and had to toss em out after that, they were nasty. So then I bought Harley boots. They are nice. Have a bit of a heal. Look cool as heck, but that heal gets in the way. Did on the Shadow and they do on the GS now. If I don't place my foot just right, I do a wif instead of a shift.  So then when I got the GS the sales/tech had on icon boots, they were so cool, they are Icon SUPERDUTY 2 with the cool strap and buckle, extra padding on the toe for shifting. I ordered them for $90 from motosports.com. Tried them out last night, wow, they are so heavy, and tight at the ankle (they have protection for the ankle as well) and look like I am wearing my brothers shoes! Just not right for me. So I am back to surfing the net looking for cool, affordable, comfortable, but safe boots once again.

Any input on any boots, shoes, that you trust and like, would be appreicated. We need to help each other out. I am curious to know how many women there are on this forum, do you know if there is a tool that counts that? Later.

There's a few women riders out here. =)

I haven't been riding long, and not (yet) into racing. I wear leather boots that cover my ankles for riding - never sneakers. Not sure how much more this will keep from sprains/etc.. but I'm much more confident it will keep me from picking out gravel. I actually got my boots at Journeys in the mall, and they have a reinforced strip where my foot hits the shifter. (It doesn't seem to be just for looks). Actually men's boots, but I have big feet for a girl, so no prob.


For basic street riding, what comfortable options are there and how thick does the leather have to be to make a significant improvement in protection over jeans?

Well this thread has made me think about boots differently. Reading about clutch covers and ankles.

I am looking at some Sidi vertigo corsa boots sometime in my future. Or crossfires.

P.S. There are some small Sidi stingers for cheap on eBay.  34/35/36 size?

Got my new boots today!!! have not ridden with them but I LOVE THEM ALREADY!!!!!!!
Alpinestars  Stella S-mx4 boots.  They run pretty true to size, I wear a 7-7-1/2 and I have "wider" feet for a chick, and short thick legs and the size 7 (euro 38) fit amazing! I even have a little room to wiggly my toes.  The boots seem pretty comfy to walk in so far, and they have a good amount of support!

My eBay Sidi Vortice Air boots should be here tomorrow!

Really glad I read this thread...

Heather has a pair of the vegan Doc Marten's somewhere that we picked up when she needed boots for her MSF course. They seemed to work fine. I used to always ride in combat boots when I started riding. I eventually splurged on a pair of Sidi riding boots, which were waterproof and AMAZING, but I doubt I'll spend the cash on them again once I get the bike running and start riding again. I'd keep an eye out on ebay to see what you can find. I put them on ebay the winter of 07-08 without a reserve, and they only sold for $35, i could've cried.

It's summer, so I paid a lot more than that for my used eBay boots. Vortice Airs.  Press corps boots.

Still probably 60-70% off retail. But still expensive...

Quote from: tt_four on June 10, 2009, 08:18:42 AM
Heather has a pair of the vegan Doc Marten's somewhere that we picked up when she needed boots for her MSF course. They seemed to work fine. I used to always ride in combat boots when I started riding. I eventually splurged on a pair of Sidi riding boots, which were waterproof and AMAZING, but I doubt I'll spend the cash on them again once I get the bike running and start riding again. I'd keep an eye out on ebay to see what you can find. I put them on ebay the winter of 07-08 without a reserve, and they only sold for $35, i could've cried.

Hello. I decided to go with Shift boots. I love them. Thanks for the info, looks like this link helpped some others find what they wanted too. Be safe!