BALLS.... or arches????

**No FX** · 9th December 2007, 00:16

my first few years road riding i always rode with my arches on the pegs so i could gear change /rear brake easily and quickly but as i got quicker i started getting my pegs down on tight corners and the first few times this happened i shit my pants coz my feet touched too. this led to me backing off on tight corners for fear of my feet getting pulled off the pegs. nowadays i tend to ride with the balls of my feet on the pegs if im on a road i know so i can get a lot more lean without having to worry if the pegs touch.

just curious as to how many people ride with the balls or arches of their feet on the pegs???

**Animal** · 9th December 2007, 00:24

I've just asked around present company (well, those that are still more-or-less vertical) and the general consensus is "balls". The one exception is the V-Rod rider who is going on about highway pegs and arches but he's really too pissed to make any sense. We'll go with "balls" then.

**No FX** · 9th December 2007, 00:39

my missus also likes balls- and shes always(mostly) right

**Animal** · 9th December 2007, 00:54

Yep, I married Miss Right. She never bloody told me her first name is Always.

I sent you a pm.

**terbang** · 9th December 2007, 03:33

Well I'll go with the balls when it comes to footpegs, but I have seen some interesting arches too.

**BarBender** · 9th December 2007, 06:23

Both. I cant change gear otherwise.

**HDTboy** · 9th December 2007, 06:35

Nice avatar BB

**riffer** · 9th December 2007, 06:38

Definitely balls. Going with Keith Code's ideas of pivot points you get a better sense of control with the balls of the feet.

Personally I find my feet seem to slide a bit around when I have arches over the pegs which doesn't help with the sensation of control. I just slide my foot forward to do the controls but otherwise it's weight on the balls of the feet and in the corners I try to get the weight off the seat as much as possible so that the weight is transferred through to the pegs, letting the legs act as part of the suspension. Its a bit tiring when you're going for it though as I'm carrying a good 25kgs more than I should be.

Read Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist II for a much better understanding of Pivot Points. It's a revelation.

**ManDownUnder** · 9th December 2007, 07:15

Originally Posted by riffer

Definitely balls. Going with Keith Code's ideas of pivot points you get a better sense of control with the balls of the feet.

Personally I find my feet seem to slide a bit around....

Exactly my thoughts.

I used to consider riding with arches - "It gets my feet closer to the controls in case of emergency" thought I... but I instinctively slide the appropriate foot/feet forward when needed for gear chance and/or braking, and avoid the problem of foot scraping when dropping into fun corners

**deanohit** · 9th December 2007, 07:36

High pegs means I can get away with arches when riding quick through the corners, never once had a peg scrape while others are grinding them off.

**smoky** · 9th December 2007, 07:41

Originally Posted by No FX

i started getting my pegs down on tight corners and the first few times this happened i shit my pants coz my feet touched too. this led to me backing off on tight corners for fear of my feet getting pulled off the pegs. nowadays i tend to ride with the balls of my feet on the pegs if im on a road i know so i can get a lot more lean without having to worry if the pegs touch.

Same thing here - I ride on the balls of my feet.

But the big improvement is moving my arse - shifting my weight, letting the bike stay a bit more upright

**pzkpfw** · 9th December 2007, 08:49

I always used to ride with my arches on the pegs (and mostly still do).

I've also always scrapped my boots. Used to on my RD350LC, and on my Z750S my hero knobs have never touched the ground. My boots scrapping doesn't scare me though. Favourite place is Tawa onramp (Southbound).

Cheap boots.

Only just realised that it was a bad habit (from a recent KB thread) and I should use my balls instead, have been practising it lately - but not yet used to shifting my feet to change gear. The treads on the bottom of my boots catch on the peg.

**Big Dave** · 9th December 2007, 09:24

Both.
Depends on mood, conditions, what bike and how fast.

Wear good boots and don't fret your feet touching down.
When your elbows are on the deck is when you are starting to run out of lean angle.

**pritch** · 9th December 2007, 09:45

Originally Posted by riffer

Going with Keith Code's ideas of pivot points you get a better sense of control with the balls of the feet.

I thought this would raise its head

That's for racing though and isn't necessarily applicable to road riding.
Sure you can move your arse around on the bike better, but I'm not doing too much of that thanks. Preferably none in fact.

Having the balls of your feet on the footrest means the knees are bent at a more acute angle. Thus more likely to restrict circulation and become uncomfortable if you are on a trip of any duration. Deep vein thrombosis anyone?

Balls on pegs is OK for a blast around the bays but...

Circumstances also come to mind where having the arches on the pegs was a big plus. Coming around a bend at "highway speed" and suddenly deep gravel roadworks with no warning signs. Stand on the pegs and gas it.

Like most things there is no absolute right or wrong, it's what suits you and what you're doing.