Instep, balls?

[Jumblemo]

I've been wondering for a while which is the better foot position. I've often heard experienced riders claim they ride on the balls of their feet, and I'll admit over the years I've done the same when feeling in the mood to push the bike sportingly. It some how feels more like a position poised to act quickly.

But in truth is the bike really configured best for that? Riding with your arch on the rest positions the ball closer to the brake lever where you will apply pressure from, your boot tip poised over the gear lever, and in a position to apply more force rapidly to the pegs if you intend to steer through them.

So is it just an affectation?

 

[GC6269]

I've done the same when feeling in the mood to push the bike sportingly. It some how feels more like a position poised to act quickly.

There's your answer, if you're wanting to 'push on' riding with the balls of your feet helps you weight the pegs and change direction quicker and easier. The downside is changing gear and using the rear brake, you have to move your feet!

For cruising and riding at a more sedate pace, riding using your insteps is easier and smoother.

 

[Little-Brit]

There's your answer, if you're wanting to 'push on' riding with the balls of your feet helps you weight the pegs and change direction quicker and easier. The downside is changing gear and using the rear brake, you have to move your feet!

For cruising and riding at a more sedate pace, riding using your insteps is easier and smoother.

+1

 

[Wrinkly]

42yrs of riding always ridden on the balls of my feet,i just find it more comfortable and natural.

Steve

 

[krytengs]

I tend to ride on the balls as its what I am used to.
Oh, and you don't actually change direction with your feet....it has no effect in the steering process

 

[GC6269]

Oh, and you don't actually change direction with your feet....it has no effect in the steering process

True and counter steering is witchcraft.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

5 pager

 

[krytengs]

True and counter steering is witchcraft.

Scientifically proven witchcraft

 

[jetjock]

There's your answer, if you're wanting to 'push on' riding with the balls of your feet helps you weight the pegs and change direction quicker and easier. The downside is changing gear and using the rear brake, you have to move your feet!

For cruising and riding at a more sedate pace, riding using your insteps is easier and smoother.

Try it with out holding on to the handle bars and then tell me you steer with your feet !

 

[krytengs]

5 pager

lmao - has this been done to death before

 

[The Prospector]

I tend to ride on the balls as its what I am used to.
Oh, and you don't actually change direction with your feet....it has no effect in the steering process

Try this, nice straight WIDE road, cruise along then press down on the footrest with the foot of your choice and see what happens then when you return (hopefully not from the hedge) you can amend your comment

 

[Edventure]

Try this, nice straight WIDE road, cruise along then press down on the footrest with the foot of your choice and see what happens then when you return (hopefully not from the hedge) you can amend your comment

http://www.superbikeschool.com/machinery/no-bs-machine.php

 

[Wapping]

Try this, nice straight WIDE road, cruise along then press down on the footrest with the foot of your choice and see what happens then when you return (hopefully not from the hedge) you can amend your comment

OK then.

We'll sit at the top of any col (or road if you prefer) you like. I'll go along steering via input through the bars, you via your feet. To make it easier, you chose the speed you would like us to go along at, as fast or as slow as you like, I don't mind.

Yes, you can alter the position of the bike, in effect you are leaning (or bumping the bike) and altering the rolling radius of the tyre, but you cannot steer it by foot input through the pegs lone. Weighting the inside peg may well help you balance better on the bike and/ or enable your body geometry to grip the tank better, little else.

The California Race Bike School has a bike set up in a cradle to prove it. They also demonstrate it on a wide, very smooth race track (quick, fast, very fast and sloooooow) all quite sufficient to dispel one myth, very quickly. You can find a video of it on UBoob.

 

[krytengs]

Try this, nice straight WIDE road, cruise along then press down on the footrest with the foot of your choice and see what happens then when you return (hopefully not from the hedge) you can amend your comment

I have tried it.
I have spent a day bouncing around on the pegs...jumping about all over the bike....gripping the tank with my knees and rocking it left and right with no hands on the bars. The best that happened was a bit of wiggle and the bike quickly righted itself. There is no way the bike would make it round a bend by using your pegs with hands off the bars...don't believe me? Try it

 

[krytengs]

OK then.

We'll sit at the top of any col (or road if you prefer) you like. I'll go along steering via input through the bars, you via your feet. To make it easier, you chose the speed you would like us to go along at, as fast or as slow as you like, I don't mind.

Yes, you can alter the position of the bike, in effect you are leaning (or bumping the bike) and altering the rolling radius of the tyre, but you cannot steer it by foot input through the pegs lone. Weighting the inside peg may well help you balance better on the bike and/ or enable your body geometry to grip the tank better, little else.

The California Race Bike School has a bike set up in a cradle to prove it. They also demonstrate it on a wide, very smooth race track (quick, fast, very fast and sloooooow) all quite sufficient to dispel one myth, very quickly. You can find a video of it on UBoob.

Beat me to it

 

[cookie]

i find riding with the balls of my feet on the footrest feels better when pressing on.

if nothing else, it definitely means less money spent on boots

 

[krytengs]

Here you go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_5Z3jyO2pA

 

[Wapping]

It's a useful video as it explains why, when we lean, the rider's altered body geometry (your arms are the length they are, altered only by the bend of the elbow) versus the fixed position of the handle bars, inevitably means the rider subconsciously initiates counter steering and the bike heads off in the direction he thought it would..... But due to no input via the pegs.

 

[Engineer]

I've been wondering for a while which is the better foot position. I've often heard experienced riders claim they ride on the balls of their feet, and I'll admit over the years I've done the same when feeling in the mood to push the bike sportingly. It some how feels more like a position poised to act quickly.

But in truth is the bike really configured best for that? Riding with your arch on the rest positions the ball closer to the brake lever where you will apply pressure from, your boot tip poised over the gear lever, and in a position to apply more force rapidly to the pegs if you intend to steer through them.

So is it just an affectation?

there is no 'better' position, just go with what feels right at the time and enjoy

 

[Engineer]

True and counter steering is witchcraft.

The fact that motorcycles work at all is witchcraft - no one really knows why it works.