On Saturday, my roommate and I went for our first "real" ride together. We both have 500Rs. We went out to an 8 mile stretch of very twisty 15-25 mph turns that go up and over a mountain. I had been there before several times and had pushed myself to the limit each time, growing in confidence and ability each time. This was the first time I had been there with my Sport Demon tires (stock sizes), so I was really looking forward to it.
After a few, how-ya-doin runs, I started hitting the turns hard. Around a sharp lefty, I was pleasantly surprised by a light scuff of my boots on the ground for the first time :wink: . We stopped for a break and I noticed I hadn't quite used up all the tire had to offer in the lean, and it didn't feel like I was pushing it nearly as much as with the stock tires. So, I started hitting the turns even harder and eventually got to the point that I would just drag the outter edges of my boots all the way around the turns. It is such a rush to be that close to the ground. All along, I was thinking of how...uncomfortable....it would be to have my toe grab, so I was very careful to keep my toe up and only allow the side of the boot to hit.
Well, my roommate had the unforntunate experience to test out the toe-down process. Luckily he had just bought a pair of 8" boots, otherwise would probably have a broken ankle. Around a turn and not expecting it to happen, his toe hit the asphalt first and grabbed, bent his foot back and under the foot peg. Luckily, he was able to straighten the bike a bit and get his foot out while still keeping the bike under control. Took the leather right off the top of the boot and gave him a sore ankle, but nothing compared to what could have happened.
So, moral of the story.........keep your feet close to the bike if you're leaning it hard. As cool as the shaved off edges of my boots look because of dragging them around turns, I don't think I'll allow them to touch anymore.
PS- Ended up using the entire width of both front and rear tires
After a few, how-ya-doin runs, I started hitting the turns hard. Around a sharp lefty, I was pleasantly surprised by a light scuff of my boots on the ground for the first time :wink: . We stopped for a break and I noticed I hadn't quite used up all the tire had to offer in the lean, and it didn't feel like I was pushing it nearly as much as with the stock tires. So, I started hitting the turns even harder and eventually got to the point that I would just drag the outter edges of my boots all the way around the turns. It is such a rush to be that close to the ground. All along, I was thinking of how...uncomfortable....it would be to have my toe grab, so I was very careful to keep my toe up and only allow the side of the boot to hit.
Well, my roommate had the unforntunate experience to test out the toe-down process. Luckily he had just bought a pair of 8" boots, otherwise would probably have a broken ankle. Around a turn and not expecting it to happen, his toe hit the asphalt first and grabbed, bent his foot back and under the foot peg. Luckily, he was able to straighten the bike a bit and get his foot out while still keeping the bike under control. Took the leather right off the top of the boot and gave him a sore ankle, but nothing compared to what could have happened.
So, moral of the story.........keep your feet close to the bike if you're leaning it hard. As cool as the shaved off edges of my boots look because of dragging them around turns, I don't think I'll allow them to touch anymore.
PS- Ended up using the entire width of both front and rear tires
