Trouble riding in full gear?

Unconnected · 11-02-2009, 06:13 PM

I just picked up some boots today - Teknic Chicane's. They're good for what i'm looking to use them for.
I've also got Alpinestars Mx-1 2 piece suit

I haven't ridden with the pants on till today when I went for a spin with both the boots pants jacket etc.
I had a lot of difficulty maneuvering anything with this stuff on, I could NOT get the bike to shift into 3rd gear it felt like, no matter how hard I tried, i'd have to adjust my foot somehow and click it up differently.
This kept my focus on my feet and not on the road, and I didn't really get used to it.
Same thing with the pants, they're comfy and all, even though they weigh a ton which i'm just not used to yet either.
I felt like I was floating on top of my bike, except stuck in one position, it felt impossible to lean or move my legs at all in any direction.

Is this normal?? I felt like I'd never ridden a bike before, it was dangerous. I went about 25 miles out and then headed back to change back into my jeans and yes, shoes.
I felt like if I didn't f up shifting and lock up my rear tire from mis-up-shifting, that i'd fall off my bike from these damn boots getting caught on something.
Do I just need to break this stuff in? The pants are second-hand so i'd figured they'd be broken in, the boots are new.

Does it all just wear in and feel normal after awhile?

nee_ dragon · 11-02-2009, 06:17 PM

as long as the fit is correct, youll get used to it just give it time, I was the same way at first when I started riding in full gear, but now I dont feel right when I jeans rides

teedubyaw · 11-02-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nee_ dragon

as long as the fit is correct, youll get used to it just give it time, I was the same way at first when I started riding in full gear, but now I dont feel right when I jeans rides

+1x10

If you've got the right fitting gear, then you will get used to it.

And like nee said, I just can't ride curvy roads in my casual gear (jeans/mesh jacket) anymore. I actually ride like shit if I do anything other than casual riding in that get-up.

Phenix_Rider · 11-03-2009, 09:23 PM

If it fits right, it will break in and get more comfortable. The weight really is negligible when it's distributed over your whole body- you shouldn't notice it until you have to take everything off and carry it.

There are some tricks to help gear break in faster.

Boots- just wear them. Around the house, walk around the block, whatever. The toe is very different from any street shoe or work boot or cruiser boot. You may need to adjust your levers to work with the slimmer boot.

Everything leather- wait for a good warm/hot day and soak them before you go out. Ride till dry. Riding in a rain storm with brand new gloves breaks them in really fast. I've never had a pair of gloves bleed color either- but I don't buy cheap stuff. Just good stuff cheap lol.

Underwear- seriously! Get some under armor (or similar stretch/slick material) and your gear won't stick to your skin. Makes it much easier to move when your leathers aren't dragging on your knees and your jacket isn't stuck to your back. Also lets you undress a lot easier. It's a bitch getting out of a one piece, or even a loose street jacket after you work up a sweat.

Everything will loosen up with time, so don't give up on it.

Unconnected · 11-04-2009, 08:28 PM

It's just those damn boots....

I wont give up on it, I didn't buy it all for nothin!
All this stuff is leather, and unfortunately for me, it's not going to be above 55 degrees here for probably 4 months, so warm-weather-wearing-in isn't possible haha, soak my leathers before a ride and i'll end up with hypothermia and pneumonia.

I'm lookin forward to spending my days off this winter wearing my gear and playing video games haha

rockscaler · 11-04-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedubyaw

+1x10

If you've got the right fitting gear, then you will get used to it.

And like nee said, I just can't ride curvy roads in my casual gear (jeans/mesh jacket) anymore. I actually ride like shit if I do anything other than casual riding in that get-up.

+1

BeeGee · 11-04-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unconnected

It's just those damn boots....

I wont give up on it, I didn't buy it all for nothin!
All this stuff is leather, and unfortunately for me, it's not going to be above 55 degrees here for probably 4 months, so warm-weather-wearing-in isn't possible haha, soak my leathers before a ride and i'll end up with hypothermia and pneumonia.

I'm lookin forward to spending my days off this winter wearing my gear and playing video games haha

You really have to wear the boots everywhere: to the bathroom, to the grocery store, to the mailbox, sweeping up the lawn, etc. After sweating them up a few times they begin to soften up and you will gain some feeling

Nightfall · 11-05-2009, 12:22 AM

Personaly I can't shift worth a hell in regular shoes, I shift twice as good in my boots.

bimmerx2 · 11-05-2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfall

Personaly I can't shift worth a hell in regular shoes, I shift twice as good in my boots.

+1

The first time I got "real" boots I hated it because I couldn't feel the shifter as well. Now I can't shift worth a flip unless I am wearing boots. Once I let myself forget about "finding" the shifter and "just shifting" it all got so much easier. The shifter is gonna be in the same place every time so you don't need to feel it digging into your foot.

With that said, make sure your shifter is where it needs to be for the boots you wear. My CBR is set up for my 'racing' boots which are lower profile (not as tall near the toes). On the GS I wear more adventure style boots that are thicker and those boots barely fit between the footpeg and the shifter on the CBR so it's a bitch to even try.

Like others have posted, you HAVE to wear them a while to get used to where they are. Compared to sneakers it will feel like your feet are twice the size and they hit everything but that feeling passes once you bump around enough.

rockscaler · 11-05-2009, 01:54 AM

motogp style boots give much more shifter feeling( and protection) than construction boots.

what were you guys wearing who had more feeling before boots? keds or converse?

LovemyYamahaR6 · 11-05-2009, 03:37 AM

I wish i had leathers and nice boots.

Tripped1 · 11-05-2009, 12:47 PM

Try adjusting your lever lower.

There is a huge difference between when I keep the lever on the Triple (that I usually ride in Redwings/Dr. Martins) and my Daytona that usually only sees riding boots.

The riding boots are generally thinner through the area ahead of the top of your foot so it makes for a bigger gap between the peg and the shifter.

dsmgixxer · 11-05-2009, 01:12 PM

i like riding in full gear, it makes me feel safer. leathers will get more comfortable the longer u wear them. if they dont then they could be the wrong size. boots are a necessity IMO. after riding for a while, i think its harder to shift without them.

bimmerx2 · 11-06-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockscaler

motogp style boots give much more shifter feeling( and protection) than construction boots.

what were you guys wearing who had more feeling before boots? keds or converse?

BMW Street Sneakers...

Kind of a compromise between serious boots and normal shoes but I needed them THAT day, super comfy with that ultra soft leather though.

Now it's these for real riding on the CBR...

These for touring on the GS...

...and these for the times I'm just poking around here...

rockscaler · 11-06-2009, 11:09 AM

the second style although I have started used the 3rd style as well but if I am going to being riding harder and shifting alot I wear #2 for best shifter feel,

Ive never wore mc specific lowcut boots so cant comment , since starting to wear mc specific boots the thought of crashing and having the peg and my shin connect been a consideration

on my cruisers I wear logging boots