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? ) 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 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

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

[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? )

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

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?

[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

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

[Kendog]

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

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