Riding w/ plastic boots

[chadWTB]

I was hoping some of you more experience, racing type riders might be able to comment on how to successfully ride with plastic boots. I purchased some Alpinestars SMX-plus for a good price down in San Diego. I use them when going for longer rides in the twistie and when I make it up to the track.

They seem to offer great protection but my riding ends up suffering terribly because there is absolutely no peddle feel. I must miss an upshift every ride when wearing those things. I’ve adjusted the shifter peddle location but still its just no fun riding with blocks of plastic attached to my feet.

My other more casual riding boots rock but just don’t offer the same level of protection. Are there other boots out there that can provide the plastic protection and still offer peddle feel or is this just the nature of these kind of boots?

Thanks, Chad

[Xusia]

I have an older pair of SMX boots, but I don't recall having that issue. In fact I go back and forth with other foorwear and I can ride fine with all of them. Could it be that they are still very stiff? The more you wear them the more flexible they will become, which may solve the problem assuming it's the stiffness.

[Jane Honda]

Adjust the height of your shifter linkage perhaps?

[chadWTB]

Two excellent suggestions, thanks. The boots have seen minimal use so they may simply need to break in. The shift peddle has been moved up but maybe not enough because it's with the up shift that I have such a hard time. They kick ass when it comes to comfort and protection so it would be great to find a way to make them work for me. If not then someone else should make use of them.

[kneedragger26]

Weird.... I seem to like the "no feeling" with upshifting with boots. Maybe at the ankle its too tight to move completely.
I have noticed that as long as the toe section is somewhat flat, Im OK.

Are they made for on highway or are they motocross? Sorry, it may be a dumb question, but I gotta ask...

:idunno:

[chadWTB]

I believe they are the racing boots and so they are EXTRA stiff and protective. But no, they are not motorcross boots, although, that would probably be an even stiffer option. I guess these probably are not the best boots for someone with only a year of riding experience.

I agree about have a solid upper toe surface to engage the upshift. For me it is the full follow through on the up shift that's the problem. It must be the stiffness in the ankle. The best way to describe the sensation is that my feet feel lazy and heavy, not loose and nimble like the do with the standard leather riding boots.

I am going to move up the shift peddle and see how that goes or maybe I'll wear them to work...squeak, clunk, squeak, clunk

[kneedragger26]

Gotta do what feels good.

I wouldnt say its the riding experience that has anything to do with it. As long as the feet arent moving around in um, your set!

Its not a bad idea to "break um in". Walking in them always gives a better feeling later.


:moped: