Maybe it's just a plain old boot fetish, but some of the high motocross boots feel great. I tried a few pairs on at the local bike shop a while back and the secure feeling was really wonderful. Does anyone use these for street riding?
Off road boots have much less range of motion in them. Depending on the model and the built-in support they have it could prove very difficult to shift and brake properly. they are very "bulky" compared to top notch street boots. I wouldn't run em, at least not the ones I have for my quad!!
I wear MX boots on the motard most of the time. After a few rides, the stiffness of the MX boot isn't terribly noticeable. I haven't tried it the monster (yet), but +1 on what hypurone said about bulk. I'm thinking the width and bulk might interfere with things, and I think there'd be a tendency to drag a toe more often if you're feet stick out further from the pegs.
How do you upshift with motoX boots? Does your toe go completely under the shifter like with a road boot, or do you generally get purchase on the shifter with the welt of the boot (the part of the sole that sticks out)?
I kept thinking of getting a pair in the few months I owned a little XT350 enduro bike, but never could get used to the idea of falling off in the dirt, though I did get a modest amount of practice at it.
can't say the thought ever crossed my mind... but I imagine that trying to find the shifter/brake on the rearsets would be tricky w/that bulky moto boot.
my fox boots look like they could eat my sidis ;D
If you adjust the shift lever up a little, it's a doddle to get under the shift lever. Sometimes you have to move your whole foot to shift since moto boots don't allow for a lot of ankle movement. Rear brake is equally weird (hardly applies to Monsters with the useless rear brake).
I wear A* tech 2s most of the time when i ride on the street. they were a little weird at first bit i have gotten used to them. my only real issue with them after a couple months is they are still really stiff (Stiffer than my full MX boots) i wouldent use my real MX boats on my monster though to hot and bulky. +1 on moving your whole foot to shift but it came naturally to me..
I chickened-out and bought a pair of A* Web's. I'm currently wearing Danner gortex 8" duty boots. They're a little bulky for the monster already: right heel rests on the exhaust guards and doesn't fit squarley on the peg. Left toe is thick and needs to search for the shifter. Overall vague feeling for both feet. I think motox boots would be more of the same.(...slowly puts boot fetish back in the recesses of the mind, where it came from)
Noo! My dreams have been shattered. I'm really aching for a pair of knee-high (or closer to it) boots to use on the street. I crave the peace of mind that comes from knowing I could sprint through a field of deadly cobras at any moment.
So what's this all about? (Sidi Crossfire & Charger)
(http://www.dirtbikebitz.com/images/products/boots/Flexsytem.jpg)
Do they call it a "flex system" for naught? how are you supposed to shift a dirt bike, anyway? like you pedal a clipless bicycle or something?
Those off-road Sidis look just as narrow as my street Sidis (from other photographs). ???
Quote from: wark on December 22, 2008, 05:14:12 AM
Noo! My dreams have been shattered. I'm really aching for a pair of knee-high (or closer to it) boots to use on the street. I crave the peace of mind that comes from knowing I could sprint through a field of deadly cobras at any moment.
So what's this all about? (Sidi Crossfire & Charger)
(http://www.dirtbikebitz.com/images/products/boots/Flexsytem.jpg)
Do they call it a "flex system" for naught? how are you supposed to shift a dirt bike, anyway? like you pedal a clipless bicycle or something?
Those off-road Sidis look just as narrow as my street Sidis (from other photographs). ???
The Sidi Crossfires are pretty narrow compared to other MX boots, but as with any boot, they take a little getting used to. They're laterally stiff, but have a reasonable amount of flex (as shown in the little pic) to make shifting more easier. The replaceable soles of the SMS boots is very cool too. Well, if you have a use for it. And all the different parts of the boot are pretty much replaceable.
Thanks. I think I'll just go for it and be "that dude with MX boots." I actually like the stiff, supportive feeling I get from my street sidis. I wouldn't mind having that effect intensified a little.
I've got a pair of Sidi Vertigo (I think) that I've been wearing for a couple years on the Duc. Felt like I had the best foot protection ever. Then I got my FSE450 and picked up a pair of cheapo Answer mx boots. Now THOSE feel safe. Yeah, I can't bend the sole...and yeah I cant' feel the rear brake but they sure feel good other than that. On the S4R I'm pretty sure I could never wear anything that big and bulky though. Shifting on the FSE is more of a leg lift or rocking the whole lower leg back.
Okay, that might suck a little. But just a little. I'm leaning toward a high 'waterproof' touring boot now. But there will always be the temptation... :-\
Sidi Discovery's may be a good compromise. They are populer with the advrider crowd.
(http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/motostrano_2032_32617124)
The Sabers look similar, but taller. Maybe a little more protection (read: less flexibility)? And they're $165 instead of $295...
(http://www.sidibootstore.com/images/2007_boots/5SABER/Saber_BlaBla.jpg)
Hmmm...