I'll detail this thread with pictures later tonight but here's the quick and dirty version.
Pros:
-ROOMY footbed and toe box. I have wide feet and wear wide width shoes normally.
-Good ankle articulation.
-Good out of box overall feel.
-Good grip on concrete.
-Easy/wide entry.
Cons:
-Your mileage may vary but I wish it was a bit tighter on top of my foot.
-Top rear edge of the boot is cutting into the lower portion of my calf when standing and walking. Riding position is fine.
-Grip on painted/treated garage floor is poor. My feet slipped a few times backing out my bike. My feet aren't 100% planted on the floor.
Just a quick note on sizing. I normally wear 8.5-9 wide in US Men's. Euro 43 was just fine. I still have some toe room. My toes aren't bunched up (which I prefer). They recommend you go up 1/2 size up from your normal size since these boots run a bit small.
Solution to one of my gripes..
WEAR LONGER SOCKS! That solved the problem of it digging or putting annoying pressure on my calf. On my initial T&E, I wore calf high socks that sat just right under the top edge of the boots. It was basically boot-on-skin.
I'm wearing the boots right now around the house with over the calf socks. Problem solved.
Here are some pictures..
"Street" toe slider vs "Track" toe slider. The Track slider comes preinstalled. It has a metal bar as the slider versus the plastic of the street one.
(http://i34.tinypic.com/29prsl2.jpg)
Bottom
As stated, traction is very limited on really smooth surfaces. It's fine on concrete. I would advise you guys to be careful when walking on wet surfaces especially tile. Ouch.
(http://i35.tinypic.com/k3azcm.jpg)
Entry
The boot opens up pretty wide. I was just holding open with my fingers. It goes bigger than this.
(http://i35.tinypic.com/j17hja.jpg)
The best part I think.... It looks like regular Puma shoes with long boot cut jeans. The shiny heel plastic is covered up.
(http://i36.tinypic.com/104p74h.jpg)
The boot itself..
(http://i36.tinypic.com/mkaqug.jpg)
Nice looking boot.
Thanks for the review, I'm going to Cycle Gear to try on the Desmo's this week and may return my Bonneville's.
did you get those on-line and if you dont mind what did they run you.
I live in Taft Ca.( armpit of the world ) moved here 2 years ago closest thing is Bakersuck which has nothing for gear shopping as far as ive experienced.
Quote from: causeofkaos on December 03, 2008, 08:12:08 AM
did you get those on-line and if you dont mind what did they run you.
I live in Taft Ca.( armpit of the world ) moved here 2 years ago closest thing is Bakersuck which has nothing for gear shopping as far as ive experienced.
I got them from one of our forum vendors (www.motowheels.com (http://www.motowheels.com)). Once you log in with your account, you'll see the price. MUCH cheaper than what other retailers are selling them for and you get free shipping this holiday season!
Quote from: causeofkaos on December 03, 2008, 08:12:08 AM
I live in Taft Ca.( armpit of the world )
At least you've got the 58, 33, and Cerro Noreste Rd nearby.
oh yeah the riding out here is awesome!! however the tooth brush was invented in Taft, if it was invented any where else they would have called it teeth brush...... ( i just moved here i can talk all the shit i want )
you know what TAFT stands for........... Teeth Are For Tourists.. I make joke. [laugh]
+1 on the getting a half size larger. I tried these on at cyclegear and they are nice. I usually wear an 11 and needed the one that was for 11.5.
Now those are some boots I can see myself in!
+1 on sharing the details on price range too
I have a pair of the Desmos and find them very comfortable.
I'm not sure though that they are as robust as the Alpine*s SMX Plus Racing boots I usually wear. Dolph
+1 on slippery! I have the Bonnevilles and tile or painted concrete is like walking on greased glass.
I got my new Desmos!! They are nice!!!
whats the pricing on these suckers?
Do they sell these at Puma stores? theres one in my mall and they have this cool picture of a 696 so i would assume they do.
Quote from: causeofkaos on December 03, 2008, 08:12:08 AM
did you get those on-line and if you dont mind what did they run you.
I live in Taft Ca.( armpit of the world ) moved here 2 years ago closest thing is Bakersuck which has nothing for gear shopping as far as ive experienced.
I own a pair that I got at the Local Cycle Gear 200 bucks ;)
Quote from: ghosthound on December 26, 2008, 03:42:03 PM
whats the pricing on these suckers?
Do they sell these at Puma stores? theres one in my mall and they have this cool picture of a 696 so i would assume they do.
Nope. They only sell the lifestyle gear. So no performance products of any sports are found in the PUMA Stores.
yeah... went to the puma store.. they had some weird looking boots that said ducati on them, along with some shoes that looked like they had some motorcycle boot bits ( shifter guards, toe scrapers, etc) but they were ankle biters.
As for the boots, they were fugly and featured nothing related to motorcycles beside the Ducati name.
Im gonna try to check out the local cycle gear since they are having some sales. Dunno if the boots are on sale though.