Balls or Arches?

[MsKABC]

...on the footpegs, that is.

Ride Forever website and dvd support arches, the theory being that if your feet are resting on the footpegs on their arches, access to brake/gear lever is easier.

Aaron Slight on their dvd was advocating balls, presumably for more precise control over the bike. The instructors then contradicted him.

I ride mostly using arches, but find I instinctively move them back onto the balls through the twisties. Keeping my balls on the footpegs (ohhhh, I'm asking for it there, aren't I? :shifty:) all the time gets uncomfortable in my gixxer's crouched position.

What say you all?

(Hope this isn't a re-post.)

[rachprice]

Guess it depends what you wanna do?
Not that Im anywhere near an expert but if you are just cruising/commuting then maybe arches, if you are riding hard, balls?
Id take Aaron's word anyway (not just because he is my new boyfriend haha)

[Mom]

...

What say you all?

(Hope this isn't a re-post.)

There have been some discussions on this, but I can not be bothered looking for the threads. I am a balls girl :yes: Makes it easy to weight the pegs if you are on your balls. It may stem from the off road riding I used to do.

[davebullet]

I move them back and forth. Mainly to alter leg circulation and also toe clearance around corners (not that I get that far over, it just makes me feel like a racer - lol).

In terms of weighting pegs, I'm just a bar man-handler. I haven't evolved to using the rest of my body to position the bike / set the bike up for corners. I'm just happy if she makes it round with me still on it.

PS: I have been known to put my calves up on my frame sliders (big motosliders bastards) for that cruiser / relaxed / foxton straights feeling.

[NZsarge]

Not that Im anywhere near an expert but if you are just cruising/commuting then maybe arches, if you are riding hard, balls?


Agreed.. +1 and all that.

[MsKABC]

I am a balls girl :yes:

Really?? I'm more of a bum & legs girl myself! (Oh good lord, I'm taking my own thread off-topic!! :spanking:

[DEATH_INC.]

I ride mostly using arches, but find I instinctively move them back onto the balls through the twisties. Keeping my balls on the footpegs (ohhhh, I'm asking for it there, aren't I? :shifty:)
Me too! ('cept my balls won't reach the pegs....)

:bleh:someone was gonna say it.....

[Motu]

In riders handbooks it used to tell you how to set up the controls - with brake and gearlever under the ball of the foot so you didn't have to move your feet to work them.The BMW is the first bike I've ever owned where this has worked for me.I always use arches,and to go against the flow,my cruise position is to use the pillion pegs.

[MsKABC]

('cept my balls won't reach the pegs....)

Have you tried riding a Harley instead? :bleh:

[Maha]

Both, I use my balls when in the twisties and alternate when on the long boring stuff (its a comfit thing)

[Sentox]

Balls, balls, balls. Embrace the balls :p

Seriously, though, using the balls of your feet has a number of benefits. For one, it effectively adds another joint to your 'suspension' (your ankle can move more freely) which can be beneficial over bumpy surfaces. Perhaps most importantly, it gives you better leverage to feed steering inputs through the pegs for added stability, and if you're hanging off, it moves the workload of moving your body around onto your calves instead of your thighs.

As for the foot controls, well, in a true emergency, the shifter is hardly the highest priority on the list. Not covering the rear brake is an advantage, if anything, since it can help prevent the stomping-on-the-brakes reflex.

And most importantly, you avoid the stupid duck-footed look :laugh:

[Kendog]

And most importantly, you avoid the stupid duck-footed look :laugh:
I do smile when seeing riders in the duck feet pose.
Balls for me. Once you get used to it, there is no going back.

[YellowDog]

I ride mostly using arches, but find I instinctively move them back onto the balls through the twisties. Keeping my balls on the footpegs

Sounds like you are already spot on.

[Movistar]

I know 'balls' is technically the right answer, and through the twisties, generally I do. But I do find that using the arches, and locking the heel of my boot into the foot peg feels more secure.

When I'm on my balls, I often get the feeling that my feet are going to slip off. Which is kinda weird, 'cause they never have, but it just doesn't feel as secure as using my arches.

There is nothing quite like standing on your balls though...

[AllanB]

I know 'balls' is technically the right answer,...

NAh - the entire footpeg-foot control system is set up for arches so you can toe the shifter or brake.

I contest that if it was indeed superior using balls then we'd all have a reverse system using the heel for braking etc.

Now that's all based on foot lever control. If you ignore the use of the levers you can do what the shit you like! I still like watching the chap on Mad Max 1 thrashing that big Kawasaki with his feet planted on the passenger pegs. That was the cool way of riding long distance back in the day....

I contest that the whole balls deal is a result of racing and gaining cornering clearance, indeed on occasion when I think I am really hitting a corner hard I'll instinctively move my foot back to the balls to avoid scraping the toe. Only to realise later that I was probably never at risk as I've still got my hero-knobs on my pegs. But hey - I looked the bizz eh

[NordieBoy]

On the XR I ride on the balls most of the time as then my feet have less chance of getting knocked off.
On the DR I alternate all the time depending on comfort.

[SPP]

Balls of feet most of the time for me. I consciously changed after watching others and can't unchange. I find it far more comfortable now.

Balls of feet stem from racing (I think) for:
* cornering clearance
* it's easier and more stable to be on your 'toes' when keeping weight off the seat and on the pegs
* you have to make a conscious effort to hit the rear brake so you're less likely to whack it on before thinking "best not hit the rear brake"

Sometimes I will ride left foot 'arches' to be closer to the gear lever and right leg 'ball' so I don't hit the brake.

[Thaeos]

I tend to alternate based on comfort...

[Movistar]

I contest that the whole balls deal is a result of racing and gaining cornering clearance, indeed on occasion when I think I am really hitting a corner hard I'll instinctively move my foot back to the balls to avoid scraping the toe. Only to realise later that I was probably never at risk as I've still got my hero-knobs on my pegs. But hey - I looked the bizz eh

After I read your post I thought about this some more.

I concluded I don'y really think about it that much - just ride the thing.

I do use my toes as indicators, for I know that once they start scraping that probably is far enough over on the sem fiddy.

I know, I know. I should be on my balls to gain more clearance and to stop the risk over my toes digging into the tarmac.
But seriously, once that boot starts kissing the tarmac gently, she's probably far enough over...

[Lucy]

I ride with my feet on the pillion pegs quite often. Must check whether I'm using arches or balls next time.

[wysper]

Both, I use my balls when in the twisties and alternate when on the long boring stuff (its a comfit thing)

+1 here, balls when I am riding the bike a bit harder, arches when cruising, commuting etc.

[p.dath]

I use both.

I mostly use balls if I am doing a lot of cornering or are travelling at open road speed (where the rear brake isn't of a lot of use).

I tend to use the arches when travelling slower or around traffic (aka, where there are more risks around that would required me to brake).

[spajohn]

In riders handbooks it used to tell you how to set up the controls - with brake and gearlever under the ball of the foot so you didn't have to move your feet to work them.The BMW is the first bike I've ever owned where this has worked for me.I always use arches,and to go against the flow,my cruise position is to use the pillion pegs.

What bike do you ride Motu?

[R-Soul]

There is nothing quite like standing on your balls though...

I know!! Painful huh? Especially just after rolling out of bed...

[Trudes]

I generally ride with balls of feet on pegs, however on my bucket I have right foot on ball and left on arch as I change gear so often that it's just easier to leave my foot in a position to do that rather than constantly moving it backwards and forwards.

[slofox]

I prefer to keep me balls on the seat - where they belong...:whistle:

BUT! As far as feet are concerned, I keep the pegs under the arches - for ease of reaching pedals...and knee comfort too - being as how I am old and squeaky-kneed...

[neels]

Arches most of the time so my feet are there for the gear lever and brake pedal, balls when my toes start scraping on the ground around corners and I want some more clearance.

[DEATH_INC.]

After I read your post I thought about this some more.

I concluded I don'y really think about it that much - just ride the thing.

I do use my toes as indicators, for I know that once they start scraping that probably is far enough over on the sem fiddy.

I know, I know. I should be on my balls to gain more clearance and to stop the risk over my toes digging into the tarmac.
But seriously, once that boot starts kissing the tarmac gently, she's probably far enough over...
Ok, gonna pop off topic briefly, if you're scraping your toes on the deck, you really should start moving your butt of the seat a bit. You're using way more lean angle than is safe, running too close to the edge of the tyres, and not leaving yourself much margin for error. Try to get used to 'hanging off' It is a much better option.

[Sentox]

Ok, gonna pop off topic briefly, if you're scraping your toes on the deck, you really should start moving your butt of the seat a bit. You're using way more lean angle than is safe, running too close to the edge of the tyres, and not leaving yourself much margin for error. Try to get used to 'hanging off' It is a much better option.

That's a little erroneous, imo. You can scrape your toes quite early if you're using the arches of your feet on the pegs. Scraping the pegs is a better indication that you're at the end of usable lean angle (this, of course, is assuming stock rearsets).

[DEATH_INC.]

That's a little erroneous, imo. You can scrape your toes quite early if you're using the arches of your feet on the pegs. Scraping the pegs is a better indication that you're at the end of usable lean angle (this, of course, is assuming stock rearsets).
Ah, yes, I guess it depends on your foot position. I'm assuming on a late model sportbike he's pretty cranked over. (And isn't sideshow bob...)

[neels]

Ah, yes, I guess it depends on your foot position. I'm assuming on a late model sportbike he's pretty cranked over. (And isn't sideshow bob...)On my bike it ain't that far over. Besides, the wife might get suspicious if I started getting off the seat with her on the back.

[slofox]

Ok, gonna pop off topic briefly, if you're scraping your toes on the deck, you really should start moving your butt of the seat a bit.

I achieve much the same effect without moving round on the seat much - just drop the inside shoulder - "kiss the mirror" I believe is the term employed...

[Movistar]

Ok, gonna pop off topic briefly, if you're scraping your toes on the deck, you really should start moving your butt of the seat a bit. You're using way more lean angle than is safe, running too close to the edge of the tyres, and not leaving yourself much margin for error. Try to get used to 'hanging off' It is a much better option.

Thanks for the tip. I could do with some riding lessons. :yes:

[Pussy]

I ride mostly using arches, but find I instinctively move them back onto the balls through the twisties. Keeping my balls on the footpegs (ohhhh, I'm asking for it there, aren't I? :shifty:) all the time gets uncomfortable in my gixxer's crouched position.

What say you all?

(Hope this isn't a re-post.)
Hey Annalise... have you tried setting your foot pegs to the lower position on your sem fiddy?
Then if you ride with the balls of your feet on the pegs, it will feel more comfy

[Owl]

I'd have to say arches, as I'm quite sure my balls wouldn't stretch to the footpegs:pinch:

[Maha]

I'd have to say arches, as I'm quite sure my balls wouldn't stretch to the footpegs:pinch:

If you own'd a Honda they would......:Punk::rockon:

[onearmedbandit]

If you own'd a Honda they would......:Punk::rockon:

That's 'cos of those weird sex games you all play with each other, hanging weights off your appendages etc.:spanking::nono:

:Pokey:

[R-Soul]

I have never ridden with the balls of my feet on the pegs, but at the last ARt day I was really struggling with my feet scraping the ground.

and then because I was not used to it, I was stuggling with the muscle memory to get my foot from balls to brake/gear lever without getting it caught.

So if you have track intentions, you DO need to be able to ride 'balls on', and you need to be used to riding balls on. But if you are only intent on cruising, then arches is all good, and allows for faster reactions to situations on the road.

[Shadows]

Arches of the feet on the straights and through town, and balls of the feet in the twisties.

I hate folding my feet in half under the footpegs, it tends to fuck up one's line a bit.

[PrincessBandit]

I'm a fence sitter who uses both. Largely dependent on comfort at the time, but since I have built up platforms on the soles of my boots using balls tends to cramp even my short legs after a considerable length of time in the saddle. I also find that arches provides more security when i stand on the pegs to wiggle my bum when it gets sore.

[Maha]

I'm a fence sitter who uses both. Largely dependent on comfort at the time, but since I have built up platforms on the soles of my boots using balls tends to cramp even my short legs after a considerable length of time in the saddle. I also find that arches provides more security when i stand on the pegs to wiggle my bum when it gets sore.

Is that what you were doing? I was behind you today through Parnell and onto Fort St, I just thought you were mooning me....:shake:

[Katman]

Arches - always.

I have my feet where they need to be to do their job.

Leave the balls of the feet riding to the track where you're less likely to need to react instantaneously.

[ynot slow]

Use the balls for me,same when riding horses,passed down from grandad to me via my dad,both who rode wayyy better than me so I guess the idea is the same for me,balance is essential on both.I feel I get a better "feel" on the pegs with balls of feet.But will also use arches at times,also used to ride off road bikes mostly on the balls of feet,whatever suits best,neither is wrong if you're comfy.

[onearmedbandit]

Balls when open road or track riding, arches around town.

[Sis]

Arches - always.

I have my feet where they need to be to do their job.

Same here

Inadvertently caught the edge of a pothole once, as I came over a slight rise. Made the bike do a tank slapper. Rode it out.
Didn't throw me off ços I had my feet firmly on the pegs (arches) and my hands on the bars(relaxed).
These things come out of the blue and it was all over before I had time to react.

[Bad Gixxer]

Balls of feet most of the time for me. I consciously changed after watching others and can't unchange. I find it far more comfortable now.

Balls of feet stem from racing (I think) for:
* cornering clearance
* it's easier and more stable to be on your 'toes' when keeping weight off the seat and on the pegs
* you have to make a conscious effort to hit the rear brake so you're less likely to whack it on before thinking "best not hit the rear brake"

Sometimes I will ride left foot 'arches' to be closer to the gear lever and right leg 'ball' so I don't hit the brake.

I agree totally, plus using the balls helps to grip the tank when you're braking, thus keeping the weight transfer down low through your knees rather than through the arms to the bars/clipons.

I always use balls on my gixxer on the road and the track, but find if I'm riding a more upright machine with the pegs not as far back (i.e. not head down, arse up, feet back) then I tend to go for the arch. Important to make sure the lever angles are set up for the way you ride though - nothing worse than having to lift or tilt your foot too much, especially for the gears. I tried turning my gearlever upside down once, as in MotoGP style - disastrous!! I dunno how anybody can go from the track to the road and manage to change from up to down and not cock it up.

[NordieBoy]

Same here

Inadvertently caught the edge of a pothole once, as I came over a slight rise. Made the bike do a tank slapper. Rode it out.
Didn't throw me off ços I had my feet firmly on the pegs (arches) and my hands on the bars(relaxed).
These things come out of the blue and it was all over before I had time to react.

Yep. I've had my feet ripped off the pegs when riding on my arches as my toes are lower than the pegs...

Going along at 30kph and all of a sudden you left foot is doing 0kph. A shock to the system to be sure...

[SPP]

...Important to make sure the lever angles are set up for the way you ride though - nothing worse than having to lift or tilt your foot too much, especially for the gears...

Good idea. My lever is a little hard to get at without a reach 'round. I'll have a play and tease it up a tickle.

[Swoop]

Balls.
10Chars.

[Crisis management]

Arches, with the sole exception of the inside foot when cornering hard on the road (as against off road, for you track day nazis).
There seems to be support for both arguements amongst good riders so, as usual , whatever works for you, my feelings are that I change gear and brake during cornering so want my feet where they can do their work.



At the risk of sounding a bit grumpy (not aimed at MsKABC, more at the level of analysis we seem to get into at times).....riding is essentially a symathetic connection with the machine, almost a symbiotic relationship (except for the trail bike which, I'm sure, is trying to kill me) so it is a matter of relaxing and finding the bits that work best for you and that bike, don't over analyse it or you take all the fun out of it and yes, I know some of you like overanalysing it but it gets up my nose, ok?

[CookMySock]

I ride mostly using arches, but find I instinctively move them back onto the balls through the twisties. Keeping my balls on the footpegs (ohhhh, I'm asking for it there, aren't I? :shifty:) all the time gets uncomfortable in my gixxer's crouched position.Same.

Steve

[R-Soul]

Same here

Inadvertently caught the edge of a pothole once, as I came over a slight rise. Made the bike do a tank slapper. Rode it out.
Didn't throw me off ços I had my feet firmly on the pegs (arches) and my hands on the bars(relaxed).
These things come out of the blue and it was all over before I had time to react.

I was hooning down a gravel road on a dirt bike once at about 70kph with arches on. There was loop of cable/root coming out of ground an going back into ground. It was just the right height to catch over my toes. Luckily I saw it at the last moment, and started moving my foot sideways off the pegs. It caught my toes and ripped my foot backwards as I passed over it. Luckily my foot was enough off the peg to JUST have a massive tankslapper (without having every tendon in my foot and leg wrenched!).

The seat had bitemarks from where my ass chewed it though...

[skinman]

that must have been one hell of a tree root cause arnt the footpegs on those dirt bikes like about a mile off the ground.
I ride a virago so just drag my feet along the road everywhere, pegs are low and the riding position drops the heel so really easy to touch it on the ground. Forward controls you know.

[R-Soul]

that must have been one hell of a tree root cause arnt the footpegs on those dirt bikes like about a mile off the ground.
I ride a virago so just drag my feet along the road everywhere, pegs are low and the riding position drops the heel so really easy to touch it on the ground. Forward controls you know.

Yeah it was probably not a tree root- probably an electrical cable or waste piece of cable sticking up out of the ground (I never went back to check) - because it was a new residential development suburb/area with lots of house building and infrastructure laying going on.