- Joined
- Mar 23, 2005
- Messages
- 893
- Location
- Spokane, WA
- Bike
- 08 FJR1300/01 ST1100
- 2024 Miles
- 001754
- STOC #
- 5341
I did not have dedicated touring boots and have used heavy hikers up to this point. In my previous motorcycle life (been out of riding for a bit) I was a definite Squid until I got the ST. But, I had squid bots with sliders. I only road the ST a year before storing it. Because of my Ricker Racer past I had gotten into the poor touring rider habit of dropping my foot to find the road and judge my angle in a corner.
So... sitting at NEWSTOC with ToddC and we're having a discussion on boots. He tells me how he used to wear hikers and used to drop his foot, until he wore through the boot in a corner. As we're talking, MV_Dave is starting to shake his head side to side a little when he hears me say “foot dropâ€.
Todd goes on to explain that along with boots I need to change my riding style. I need to get up on my toe in the tight corners. Now MV_Dave is starting to nod his head in agreement and explains the different styles of Squid riding versus constant speed corners, which are actually (most times) faster.
Forward a week and I come back from a quick jaunt and notice my foot is cold. Sure enough… I have a ToddC hole in my hiker! Talk to my wife, get approval, and ordered new boots for Father's Day (and got 15% off from the local STealership).
I just went for a ride and I thank them both for their advice.
Not only is the footbed better for the pegs (hikers always put you in the void of the tread) the boots move forward and back effortlessly without the cramping of my legs I got before as I went onto the taller lugged tread of the hiker. The ankle support is far superior even though I only got a mid-height boot because I sometimes wear a leg brace.
After almost dropping my toe in the first sweeper I moved back on my pegs, up on my toes, which made hand steering much more intuitive through the corner. It felt incredibly stable. Wow… you can teach old dogs new tricks.
Thanks again to the friendships on the list that have made riding better for me. I took a pole of everyone in the room at the time of the conversation to see what kind of boots they used. It was unanimous… Alpinestars. Various models for various riders, but that was enough for me. The experience of the liST should be headed.
So, a transformed riding style and much more comfortable feet… and I thought it was great before!!!
HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!
So... sitting at NEWSTOC with ToddC and we're having a discussion on boots. He tells me how he used to wear hikers and used to drop his foot, until he wore through the boot in a corner. As we're talking, MV_Dave is starting to shake his head side to side a little when he hears me say “foot dropâ€.
Todd goes on to explain that along with boots I need to change my riding style. I need to get up on my toe in the tight corners. Now MV_Dave is starting to nod his head in agreement and explains the different styles of Squid riding versus constant speed corners, which are actually (most times) faster.
Forward a week and I come back from a quick jaunt and notice my foot is cold. Sure enough… I have a ToddC hole in my hiker! Talk to my wife, get approval, and ordered new boots for Father's Day (and got 15% off from the local STealership).
I just went for a ride and I thank them both for their advice.
Not only is the footbed better for the pegs (hikers always put you in the void of the tread) the boots move forward and back effortlessly without the cramping of my legs I got before as I went onto the taller lugged tread of the hiker. The ankle support is far superior even though I only got a mid-height boot because I sometimes wear a leg brace.
After almost dropping my toe in the first sweeper I moved back on my pegs, up on my toes, which made hand steering much more intuitive through the corner. It felt incredibly stable. Wow… you can teach old dogs new tricks.
Thanks again to the friendships on the list that have made riding better for me. I took a pole of everyone in the room at the time of the conversation to see what kind of boots they used. It was unanimous… Alpinestars. Various models for various riders, but that was enough for me. The experience of the liST should be headed.
So, a transformed riding style and much more comfortable feet… and I thought it was great before!!!
HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!