Feet Have to Be Flat On the Ground or Not

Feet Have to Be Flat On the Ground or Not

by Lakshmi Singh
(NY, USA)

My feet are not flat on the ground when I stop the motocycle? Will that be a problem? I am a beginner and I have already bought the motorcycle which is Kawasaki's Ninja 250 R

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Feet Have to Be Flat On the Ground or Not

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Aug 03, 2010

In and Out of Stops with Unpaved and Bumpy
by: Anonymous

Okay, so am I doing something wrong? I have a V-Star 650 that my feet touch the ground but backing it up and maneuvering it in unpaved lots in the Colorado mountains is kinda scary. I wear Chippewa boots and try to be careful but please tell me this will get better in time. I have been building my leg strength but still not liking to have to do it!

Am i riding wrong?

Jun 14, 2010

Right Foot On Brake When Stopping & Starting
by: Judith

"I stop a lot, and I always put my left foot down. It's not like it's a big deal. In my MSF class they say that's what you want to end up doing anyway, that's the goal. You'll want to have your right foot on the brake."

According to the above, you do need the right foot on the brake with the left foot down when you are starting or stopping? My husband keeps telling me that but I don't recall doing that in the MSF class. Can someone let me know, because I put both feet down when I stop. When I start I still have feet on the ground until I get to 15 or 10 miles per hour, at which time I lift my feet to the pegs. What is correct way to use feet when starting or stopping? I do fine when I do that. I want to learn correctly, and my husband rode 56 yrs ago and doesn't ride now.

May 06, 2010

Lowering
by: kp

Yes, you can get a lowering kit for your bike. Just be careful you that you don't have the bike lowered to much, say a full 2", that will totally change the dynamics of the bike. How it handles, corners, etc.

May 06, 2010

Not Really a Problem
by: Anonymous

If you're going to ride a sport bike, at your height the odds of you standing absolutely flat-footed is not so likely, but you can get the bike lowered to accommodate you better, and you can wear thicker-soled boots. It's easier to find a cruiser that you can flat-foot, but riding a cruiser may not be your cup of tea. Though no expert, I'm 5'4 (almost) and have a Ninja 250r and I cannot flatfoot it and no that doesn't bother me a bit because the bike is sooo lightweight. I guess it's a personal preference. I ride in traffic a lot so yes, I stop a lot, and I always put my left foot down. It's not like it's a big deal. In my MSF class they say that's what you want to end up doing anyway, that's the goal. You'll want to have your right foot on the brake. Also, that foot on the brake is really helpful when you find yourself having to stop and takeoff on an incline. After you've done it for a while it feels "normal" to you.

May 06, 2010

Thanks for the responses.
by: Lakshmi Singh

Thank you all for responding to my question and for the great suggestions.

I have talked to the mechanic of the dealership and he mentioned he would get the bike lowered by compressing the spings. I think, he meant the springs of shock absorbers and he did mention, that it would not be a problem if I ride the bike alone or have someone around 180 pounds ride with me.

I apologize, I did not give my height and weight specifications before. My height is 5 feet 3 inches and weight is 120 pounds. And the current seat height is 30.5 inches.

May 06, 2010

Tippy Toes
by: Lynn - SW FL

I rode my first bike for over a year tippy toes. It was a beautiful 2007 Triumph Bonneville. Stopping, starting and moving the bike was nerve racking! Riding is no problem, but you have to stop sometime. If we were riding in heavy traffic with a lot of stopping and starting, my hips would ache at the end of the ride because of all the stretching for the ground. I now ride a 1100 VStar where I am flat footed and have less stress and fatigue.

If you love the bike, have it lowered.

May 06, 2010

Feet
by: Robin

I see a lot of gals and sometimes guys tip toeing when they stop. I can't imagine riding that way. I strongly believe that is important to have a firm flat foot. I have 30,000 miles on my 650 V-star now and have not dropped her yet. And you should see what I have to drive through to get out of my mile long gravel lane everyday. I sometimes ride my husbands 1700 Roadstar and it's a little taller, I can do it, but wouldn't want to everyday. But if your comfortable, try it out. I just wouldn't have it that way.

May 06, 2010

Feet On the Ground
by: Anonymous

I feel that it is absolutely important that your feet are firmly on the ground when you stop your bike. Can you lower the bike or wear boots with a little bit of heel? Not high heels, of course, just thicker heels.

May 06, 2010

Feet
by: kp

Are you tip toeing it with both feet at least? Just be careful where you stop.

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