feet positioning? Sport Rider
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feet positioning?

 
sheedmatic
New User | Posts: 17 | Joined: 06/08
Posted: 06/25/08
08:44 PM

I noticed that My feet are never in the exact same position, some say the ball of your foot should be on the ped...what ever te ball is, is that the middle of your foot???...also, I never you the rear brake, think this is beacause I have to find the break... I want to start using the rear brake more>>>>>  


 
0069
User | Posts: 53 | Joined: 04/08
Posted: 06/26/08
02:28 AM

if your not moving around on the bike then your not really ridding it, so its normal to change the positions of your feet in accordance to what your doing. For example if i'm just cruising on an open road not a lot of stopping or shifting or if i'm tucked down hauling through a straight then the balls of my feet are on the pegs (BTW the balls of your feet is the knuckle like part beneath the toes its what you pivot on) but if i'm in traffic or doing more shifting through turns and such i'll have my heels hooked so i can quickly get the shifter and rear brake also thats a good position to point your toes out and get some air if your feet are getting a little warm.

You should defintly be using the rear brake, some of the "back in the day riders" (my dad) are cautious of the front brakes for fear of being pitched over the bars but you should be more cautous of the rear brake you don't want to lock the rear wheel, there's a reason sportbikes have twin rotors (and larger too) on the front and a single smaller rotor on the rear  this is because the front does the majority of the braking, (for any vehicle) under braking weight is transfered to the front therefore giving most of the traction to the front tire or tires which is why the rear is easy to lock up. On cars and trucks pressure modulation is taken care of for us and on some modern bikes but by using the rear brake seperatly the user is in control of applied pressure therefor you have to learn the skill of using the rear brake properly. using the rear brake also helps stabilize the bike and keeps the front from diving down.

Read the riding skills series on this site!! it has tons of great info. on all aspects of riding including braking techniques  


 
Swiggs21
User | Posts: 83 | Joined: 04/08
Posted: 06/26/08
06:54 AM

I am constantly moving my feet position.  I have read in a couple publications that it's optimal to ride on the balls of your feet (for bike control purposes), so I usually find myself in that position.  I usually move my left foot only when it's time to shift.  Immediately after shifting, I get back on the balls of my feet.  Like 0069 said, if I'm heavy traffic, my right heel will probably be hooked so I can easily cover the rear break.

Also, I suggest you start using the rear brake.  Although most of the stopping power comes from the front brakes, you can still stop in a shorter distance by using both brakes.  I have also found that when I'm using both brakes, the bike feels more stable coming to a stop.  You'll probably have to practice using both until it becomes habit.  I made sure to practice that to the point where I don't even have to think about it anymore, I just automatically go to both brakes.  


 
sheedmatic
New User | Posts: 17 | Joined: 06/08
Posted: 06/26/08
07:49 AM

Sound good, I will start using the ball of my feet. I am trying not to become to reliant on just the front brakes. Thanks for the replies!!  


 
0069
User | Posts: 53 | Joined: 04/08
Posted: 06/26/08
08:37 AM

quote "you can still stop in a shorter distance by using both brakes." the shorter distance comes from PROPER use of both brakes, a locked up rear won't do you much good and could wreak you altogether especially in turns that's why i advice reading the riding skills articles on effective braking and practiceing the concepts.  


 
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