For The Short Riders...

Majik · October 13th, 2009, 12:23 PM

Before you lower your bike, try a pair of boots that will add some height to your legs first. I am 5'2" and couldn't put my feet flat on the ground.

This made me too uncomfortable to ride. I didn't want to have to balance the bike on my tippy toes. The boots worked perfectly and I will not have to lower my bike now. When you are a beginner, you want to feel as safe as possible! This did it for me. Hope this helps.

adouglas · October 13th, 2009, 12:32 PM

+1.

Work boots with lugged soles are great.

You can also get boots a size to big and put insoles in them to get even more height.

It's not the height of the heel that's important... you need extra at the ball of your foot too.

rockNroll · October 13th, 2009, 12:35 PM

If just your toes are already touching, couldn't a higher heel make it so your whole sole touches? Hmmm... whole sole doesn't soud right together. Say it... whole sole.

HKr1 · October 13th, 2009, 01:03 PM

adouglas · October 13th, 2009, 01:11 PM

You're more stable if your toe isn't pointed as much. So the more sole you can get under the ball of your foot/toe, the better.

zail · October 13th, 2009, 01:13 PM

And the flip side of the coin ... as a shorter rider I found taller boots with thicker soles didn't suit me at all, making my feet feel clumsy and making my gear changes messy.. I prefer to tip toe and slide on the seat (which I have cut down slightly... It's all personal preference so do what works for you!

Talonne · October 13th, 2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adouglas

You're more stable if your toe isn't pointed as much. So the more sole you can get under the ball of your foot/toe, the better.

Yep, I agree totally. Heel height can help if you're just a LITTLE bit too short, and want that extra bit of stability. If you're really short, the heel won't touch the ground anyway. For example, I'd need 4" heels to have my entire foot on the ground.

The most important thing is to get as much foot on the ground as possible. Thicker soles can take you from tiptoe to ball-of-foot contact.

Tigress · October 13th, 2009, 02:56 PM

Ball of foot contact works for me on The Kid. But when I was on the Katana, I didn't feel comfortable at all because of the weight and I hardly rode it.

Majik · October 13th, 2009, 05:03 PM

Tigress...yep..that's what I want..the balls of my feet on the ground. Thank goodness the boots I had (but forgot I had till recently) puts my feet all the way flat on the ground. When you are short and a weakling and a beginner, you want your feet flat...or I do anyways. Thanks for all the replies!!!

zartan · October 13th, 2009, 10:26 PM

Hi, Hope this helps.

I like the ICON boots they are a bit boxy but the sole rocks. Thick to add height.
Heel about an inch and then is cut back at an angle so you don't catch on the foot pegs.
I have had mine 3 years and they really take a beating. Also don't kill your feet if you want to walk around.

we are talking about less than 26 inch inseam here. I am an expert on being short

I had to lower my bike. I want a good amount of foot touching the ground. It is so easy to get off camber when stopped at intersections or coming out of driveways when there is a hill. I have been riding a loooooong time and still like that foot contact.

emt250 · October 13th, 2009, 11:01 PM

I use shoes with giant springs on the bottom. Its a little bouncy but I like it.

zartan · October 13th, 2009, 11:10 PM

well we will keep that in mind..

adouglas · October 14th, 2009, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emt250

I use shoes with giant springs on the bottom. Its a little bouncy but I like it.

Springs shmings. I rock a pair of these:

That's the real reason I don't need more than a 250. The acceleration is awesome.

It does tend to annoy the drivers following me, though....

bob706 · October 14th, 2009, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adouglas

Springs shmings. I rock a pair of these:

Yeah, but does it come in Kawi Green?

Majik · October 14th, 2009, 09:46 AM

Yall are funny! LOL!! Thanks Zartan for the info on the Icon boots. I will be looking at these soon. I have some boots that are working for now, but I'd rather have the "true" motorcycle boots and will be getting some.

welcome2thedawn · October 15th, 2009, 01:57 AM

what boots do you have??? just curious...

Majik · October 15th, 2009, 08:48 AM

I wish I had pictures to show you. Sorry! They are burgundy colored with a 1/2 sole and the heels are stacked and are about 2 1/2 inches tall. They come up mid calf on me. I don't even know the brand of these boots because it doesn't say. I will be getting some riding boots but for now, I'll use the ones I have. I'm not riding on the highway yet...just by my house on back roads. If I were to crash, these current boots wouldn't offer much protection I'm sure!

Hedge36 · October 15th, 2009, 08:52 AM

As an added bonus, once you're off the bike you can look people in the eye

bob706 · October 15th, 2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedge36

As an added bonus, once you're off the bike you can look people in the eye

Majik · October 15th, 2009, 09:12 AM

You ain't kidden!

Hedge36 · October 15th, 2009, 09:18 AM

Double-added bonus: boots making neckin' a whole lot easier.

DarkNinja52 · October 15th, 2009, 10:41 AM

Jet Boots RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!

LaDeeRyDer · October 16th, 2009, 03:19 PM

I'm 5"2' as well and I'd rather tiptoe than wear thick soled boots or shoes. Like Zail, it would make it harder for me to change gears. I had A* Stella SMX4 boots that did the trick. It really is just what you prefer though.

October 13th, 2009, 12:23 PM	#1
Majik ninjette.org member Name: Connie Location: Eastern Shore, Alabama Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R RED! Posts: 89	For The Short Riders... Before you lower your bike, try a pair of boots that will add some height to your legs first. I am 5'2" and couldn't put my feet flat on the ground. This made me too uncomfortable to ride. I didn't want to have to balance the bike on my tippy toes. The boots worked perfectly and I will not have to lower my bike now. When you are a beginner, you want to feel as safe as possible! This did it for me. Hope this helps. __________________________________________________ Connie

October 13th, 2009, 01:13 PM	#6
zail ninjette.org member Name: zail Location: Bristol, UK Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250r Posts: 156	And the flip side of the coin ... as a shorter rider I found taller boots with thicker soles didn't suit me at all, making my feet feel clumsy and making my gear changes messy.. I prefer to tip toe and slide on the seat (which I have cut down slightly... It's all personal preference so do what works for you! __________________________________________________ Bristol, UK - R&G Tail Tidy, Exhaust Hanger, Bar ends & Crash Protectors, Skidmarx Hugger & Double Bubble, SW motech mirror extenders, Scorpion Exhaust, Cycle Control levers & Rearset Adjusters

October 13th, 2009, 02:56 PM	#8
Tigress Musical Genius Name: Belinda Location: O'Fallon, MO Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R Blue AKA "The Kid" 08 Vulcan 900 Classic Blue(for now) AKA "Honey" Posts: 146	Ball of foot contact works for me on The Kid. But when I was on the Katana, I didn't feel comfortable at all because of the weight and I hardly rode it. __________________________________________________ ti·gress n. 1. A female tiger. 2. A woman regarded as daring or fierce.

October 13th, 2009, 05:03 PM	#9
Majik ninjette.org member Name: Connie Location: Eastern Shore, Alabama Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R RED! Posts: 89	Tigress...yep..that's what I want..the balls of my feet on the ground. Thank goodness the boots I had (but forgot I had till recently) puts my feet all the way flat on the ground. When you are short and a weakling and a beginner, you want your feet flat...or I do anyways. Thanks for all the replies!!! __________________________________________________ Connie

October 13th, 2009, 11:01 PM	#11
emt250 2 Wheel Newb Name: Scott Location: Sacramento, CA Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 250r Posts: 218 Blog Entries: 1	I use shoes with giant springs on the bottom. Its a little bouncy but I like it. __________________________________________________ "Always remember, your mind is like a parachute. It works best when not being eaten by zombies" -Someone

October 13th, 2009, 12:32 PM	#2
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	+1. Work boots with lugged soles are great. You can also get boots a size to big and put insoles in them to get even more height. It's not the height of the heel that's important... you need extra at the ball of your foot too.

October 13th, 2009, 12:35 PM	#3
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	If just your toes are already touching, couldn't a higher heel make it so your whole sole touches? Hmmm... whole sole doesn't soud right together. Say it... whole sole.

October 13th, 2009, 01:03 PM	#4
HKr1 IC2(SW) Name: Kerry Location: Pensacola Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.

October 13th, 2009, 01:11 PM	#5
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	You're more stable if your toe isn't pointed as much. So the more sole you can get under the ball of your foot/toe, the better.

October 13th, 2009, 11:10 PM	#12
zartan ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: zartan Location: spam la Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 250 R Posts: A lot.	well we will keep that in mind.. __________________________________________________ "Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision" Colin Powell

October 14th, 2009, 09:46 AM	#15
Majik ninjette.org member Name: Connie Location: Eastern Shore, Alabama Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R RED! Posts: 89	Yall are funny! LOL!! Thanks Zartan for the info on the Icon boots. I will be looking at these soon. I have some boots that are working for now, but I'd rather have the "true" motorcycle boots and will be getting some. __________________________________________________ Connie

October 15th, 2009, 01:57 AM	#16
welcome2thedawn ninjette.org guru Name: dawn Location: portland, or Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 ninja 250r modded, 73 honda cl200, 74 kawasaki 400 triple Posts: 255	what boots do you have??? just curious...

October 15th, 2009, 08:48 AM	#17
Majik ninjette.org member Name: Connie Location: Eastern Shore, Alabama Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R RED! Posts: 89	I wish I had pictures to show you. Sorry! They are burgundy colored with a 1/2 sole and the heels are stacked and are about 2 1/2 inches tall. They come up mid calf on me. I don't even know the brand of these boots because it doesn't say. I will be getting some riding boots but for now, I'll use the ones I have. I'm not riding on the highway yet...just by my house on back roads. If I were to crash, these current boots wouldn't offer much protection I'm sure! __________________________________________________ Connie

October 15th, 2009, 08:52 AM	#18
Hedge36 SooperChikkin. Name: Scott Location: Northern CA Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): BMW R1200GS Adventure, '07 250 Ninja Posts: 107	As an added bonus, once you're off the bike you can look people in the eye

October 15th, 2009, 09:12 AM	#20
Majik ninjette.org member Name: Connie Location: Eastern Shore, Alabama Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R RED! Posts: 89	You ain't kidden! __________________________________________________ Connie

October 15th, 2009, 09:18 AM	#21
Hedge36 SooperChikkin. Name: Scott Location: Northern CA Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): BMW R1200GS Adventure, '07 250 Ninja Posts: 107	Double-added bonus: boots making neckin' a whole lot easier.

October 15th, 2009, 10:41 AM	#22
DarkNinja52 ninjette.org sage Name: aj Location: New York / PA Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): Red 09 Ninja 250r aka Sheila (RIP), Red '10 Ninja 250r aka Sasha (Sold), White '13 Ninja 300 (To be Purchased) Posts: 855	Jet Boots RULE!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________________________________________

October 16th, 2009, 03:19 PM	#23
LaDeeRyDer Just go! Name: Joy Location: San Jose Join Date: Sep 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Ninja 250 (sold) :( Posts: 27	I'm 5"2' as well and I'd rather tiptoe than wear thick soled boots or shoes. Like Zail, it would make it harder for me to change gears. I had A* Stella SMX4 boots that did the trick. It really is just what you prefer though.

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