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Scraping the front of my boot when I lean

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:33 am
by Brackstone
So lately I've been much more comfortable with my bike and I've been leaning into turns more and more. A couple of times I've leaned in pretty deep and I scrape the front of my boot on the ground really quick then I pop back up (cause I freakout.

Am I riding incorrectly? I know I tilt my feet outwards a bit. Also I always cover the rear brake and my foot is always under the shifter.

Any Advice is welcomed!

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:54 am
by Fast Eddy B
Move an inch back in the seat, move your feet so that the pegs are under the balls of your feet (ish), and pull your toes back in! Lean your body forward to make it easier to get your toe under the shifter, the other one just behind the brake.


I know what you mean, cause I do this too. Now you tell me the same thing.

This is the advice I'm seen on correct seating for standards and sportbikes.

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:59 am
by Skier
You should be keeping the ball of your foot on the pegs unless you are braking or shifting. This will increase your ground clearance and keep your foot up and out of harm's way.

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:07 am
by Brackstone
Thanks for the advice guys :D

One followup question, since I can assume my chicken strips will be vanishing should I watch for wear in places other than the tread for tire replacement purposes?

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:27 am
by Skier
Your tires will still wear the most in the middle, no worries about checking the tire elsewhere.

Aside from the usual cracking and dry rot checking, that is.

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:19 am
by storysunfolding
also make sure you're leaning with the bike. People have the tendency to keep their body more upright which means the bike has to lean more.

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:34 am
by Brackstone
storysunfolding wrote:also make sure you're leaning with the bike. People have the tendency to keep their body more upright which means the bike has to lean more.
I'm pretty sure I'm leaning with the bike but keeping my head up right. I think my MSF instructor said it's a good way to turn off the "Oh-No I'm gonna fall" switch.

I'll double check next time I'm leaning.

Also can anyone tell me why leaning in right handed turns messes with me more than left handed turns? Am I strange or does this have something to do with me being a righty or...?

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:54 am
by Skier
Right hand turns are a bit different because you're pushing with your throttle hand. It requires more control than pushing with the "dead" grip on your left.

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:59 am
by Brackstone
Skier wrote:Right hand turns are a bit different because you're pushing with your throttle hand. It requires more control than pushing with the "dead" grip on your left.
Hadn't thought about it that way, I'll have to see if that's what is freaking me out.

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:32 am
by Wrider
First time I ever scraped pegs it scared the crap out of me! I couldn't figure out what just made that horrible noise (now it's beautiful to me lol) and why I all of a sudden couldn't lean anymore. Took some intentional peg grinding in a parking lot for me to get used to the feeling and noise so I didn't try to pop up in the middle of a corner. As for boots scraped, my friend that rides the Busa, he can't walk in his riding boots anymore because the entire front right section is gone... Although it is entertaining to watch him attempt! :laughing:
Wrider