Balls or Arches?

[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...

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...)