Feet position

AmyF · August 5th, 2014, 06:02 AM

Ok - I went out on a ride last night, mainly 25 up to 45 mph roads. I took my time and stayed relaxed - made for a much more enjoyable ride. I was trying to work on keeping my feet pressed in against the bike, and positioned further back where I was closer to the balls of my feet. I had a hard time keeping them in that position - just not used to it. I have a habit of riding with my feet basically where the middle of my foot/arch is on the footrest.

sharky nrk · August 5th, 2014, 06:08 AM

I actually prefer the toes/ball on the pegs it may just take your some getting used to. As far as feet pressed in against the bike, don't worry about that one so much. My feet move around ALOT during rides, keeps my legs a little more loose and comfortable.

NevadaWolf · August 5th, 2014, 06:34 AM

This is pure opinion and only how I ride.

On mountains or twisty roads, I keep the balls of my feet on the peg. Makes for an easy slide forward onto the pedals and keeps my toes from dragging in tight corners. For comfort and support, I hook my heel onto the top of the rearset and use that to hold my foot in place.

In town or traffic heavy roads, I'm about a 75/25 split between balls of feet on pegs or being lazy and keeping my right foot covering the brake (careful not to drag the brake) and my left foot resting under/over the pedal for quick shifting.

On straight flat roads or steady traffic, I'm about 50/50 between being on the balls of my feet, or being flat footed with the peg on my arch. Again being careful to have no pressure on the brake pedal.

I move my feet a lot, constantly shifting position so my legs and knees won't get stiff.

alex.s · August 5th, 2014, 11:03 AM

i have gangly legs so i find it easier to have my outside foot resting on the peg against the heel/in the middle of the foot, and the inside foot on the toe for clearance.

AmyF · August 5th, 2014, 11:04 AM

I have no legs lol. I'm only 5'3. I can handle the bike fine I'm just trying to get a better position down right on it.

adouglas · August 5th, 2014, 12:13 PM

Shifting foot position while you ride will help with comfort over the long term. There's no harm with putting the arch of your foot on the peg, but using the balls of your feet does carry benefits. As you start to go faster and lean more, you run the risk of having your foot contact the ground.

As a petite female this is of much less concern than for large men. It was something some of our fellow forum members were encountering at their first track day. One even scraped his toe slider a bit.

When you get more miles behind you and start to get comfortable with moving around on the bike, using the balls of your feet will help you. It will make it easier to press your leg against the tank and anchor yourself.

It's terrific that you're seeking advice and listening to those with more experience than you've got. You're doing great! Keep up the good work and have fun!

M42 · August 5th, 2014, 12:33 PM

Having the ball of your foot on the inside peg while leaning also makes it easier to weigh that peg, which steadies the bike during a lean.

fred smoot · August 5th, 2014, 12:38 PM

You have better feeling with the balls of your feet on the pegs. You will develope sensitive feet, feeling vibrations, bumps, no vibrations. You will gain the ability to move your feet between shifting and braking without thinking about it. Practice makes perfect, but make your practice technically correct.

August 5th, 2014, 06:02 AM	#1
AmyF ninjette.org member Name: Amy Location: Northeast Ohio Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 124	Feet position Ok - I went out on a ride last night, mainly 25 up to 45 mph roads. I took my time and stayed relaxed - made for a much more enjoyable ride. I was trying to work on keeping my feet pressed in against the bike, and positioned further back where I was closer to the balls of my feet. I had a hard time keeping them in that position - just not used to it. I have a habit of riding with my feet basically where the middle of my foot/arch is on the footrest. __________________________________________________ Present: 05 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Past: 02 Honda Rebel, 09 CFMoto Glory 150

August 5th, 2014, 06:08 AM	#2
sharky nrk Fighting Texas Aggie '05 Name: Neil Location: Hutto, TX Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.	I actually prefer the toes/ball on the pegs it may just take your some getting used to. As far as feet pressed in against the bike, don't worry about that one so much. My feet move around ALOT during rides, keeps my legs a little more loose and comfortable. __________________________________________________ Keep it rubber side down and enjoy the ride Get healthy - Get Fit - Change Your Life Click Here Or PM Me To Find More - Advocare

August 5th, 2014, 06:34 AM	#3
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	This is pure opinion and only how I ride. On mountains or twisty roads, I keep the balls of my feet on the peg. Makes for an easy slide forward onto the pedals and keeps my toes from dragging in tight corners. For comfort and support, I hook my heel onto the top of the rearset and use that to hold my foot in place. In town or traffic heavy roads, I'm about a 75/25 split between balls of feet on pegs or being lazy and keeping my right foot covering the brake (careful not to drag the brake) and my left foot resting under/over the pedal for quick shifting. On straight flat roads or steady traffic, I'm about 50/50 between being on the balls of my feet, or being flat footed with the peg on my arch. Again being careful to have no pressure on the brake pedal. I move my feet a lot, constantly shifting position so my legs and knees won't get stiff. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

August 5th, 2014, 11:03 AM	#4
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	i have gangly legs so i find it easier to have my outside foot resting on the peg against the heel/in the middle of the foot, and the inside foot on the toe for clearance. __________________________________________________

August 5th, 2014, 11:04 AM	#5
AmyF ninjette.org member Name: Amy Location: Northeast Ohio Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 124	I have no legs lol. I'm only 5'3. I can handle the bike fine I'm just trying to get a better position down right on it. __________________________________________________ Present: 05 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Past: 02 Honda Rebel, 09 CFMoto Glory 150

August 5th, 2014, 12:13 PM	#6
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Shifting foot position while you ride will help with comfort over the long term. There's no harm with putting the arch of your foot on the peg, but using the balls of your feet does carry benefits. As you start to go faster and lean more, you run the risk of having your foot contact the ground. As a petite female this is of much less concern than for large men. It was something some of our fellow forum members were encountering at their first track day. One even scraped his toe slider a bit. When you get more miles behind you and start to get comfortable with moving around on the bike, using the balls of your feet will help you. It will make it easier to press your leg against the tank and anchor yourself. It's terrific that you're seeking advice and listening to those with more experience than you've got. You're doing great! Keep up the good work and have fun! __________________________________________________ I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

August 5th, 2014, 12:33 PM	#7
M42 Wrench wench Name: The Stigette Location: DC/MD/VA Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): TWO HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT CUBIC CENTIMETERS (R.I.P.), SIX HUNDRED FORTY FIVE CUBIC CENTIMETERS Posts: 415	Having the ball of your foot on the inside peg while leaning also makes it easier to weigh that peg, which steadies the bike during a lean.

August 5th, 2014, 12:38 PM	#8
fred smoot ninjette.org member Name: Fred Location: St. Louis MO Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1996 Ducati 900SS/SP 45k miles Posts: 132	foot position . .. . You have better feeling with the balls of your feet on the pegs. You will develope sensitive feet, feeling vibrations, bumps, no vibrations. You will gain the ability to move your feet between shifting and braking without thinking about it. Practice makes perfect, but make your practice technically correct. __________________________________________________ '09 Ninja 250R track only SOLD "If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough." -Mario Andretti

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