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Brake pedal height - any no-no's?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by richard03, Apr 10, 2006.

  1. richard03

    richard03 Member

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    So... Today after riding the bike for the third time, I realized my brake light was on all of the time because I had the brake pedal pushed down while riding.

    My legs are so long (I'm 6'2") that I can't help but push the pedal down when riding. When I don't push the pedal down, I get achy from holding my toe up in a matter of minutes. I even had to pull over for cramps once. :x Ow.

    So today, I popped the brake pedal off, and rotated it one spline down. This set the brake pedal one inch down from the original position. I also tightened up the drum connection for less travel and fixed the position sensor for the light.

    Since I fixed the travel, the pedal now comes down just even with the bottom of the exhaust.

    So - is this too low? Are my toes going to grind into nubs when I turn hard? (or worse?)

    BTW - I rode it for a little while, and REALLY like it - if it is safe - because I can scoot up closer to the tank now, which makes me feel like I have more control. I can tuck now too! :twisted:

    Thanks for the help guys!
     
  2. unkeldunkel

    unkeldunkel New Member

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    i wouldn't worry about your toes dragging. If you're riding hard and are getting the bike leaned over, i would just say don't use the rear brake
    1) Allows for more tration to be used for turning, none used up for slowing the bike down
    2)you should have most/all your slowing done before the turn( good safety measure)

    another thing, consider riding on the balls of your feet, there is no way your foot will drag on the brake and you could have it in it's origional position and not worry about it draggging when used.
    I'm a 6'5" 21 year old and that's what i do. On the balls of my feet i feel like i have more control and can move around easier
     
  3. xj650maxim82

    xj650maxim82 Member

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    if you are heavy braking in a curve you are probably going to have bigger things to worry about than if you scrape.

    I don't think it would be a problem but I am not the most knowledgable about things such as this
     
  4. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    I adjusted mine the same way (6' 1"), no problems but I don't drag pegs either.
     
  5. richard03

    richard03 Member

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    Thanks for the replies. I am glad that someone else has moved the pedal with no problem.

    Is riding on the balls of your feet a good idea? If you needed to brake quickly, you would need to move your foot to get to the pedal, right? Seems like it would slow your reaction time down for braking, and you are more likely to stomp on the pedal and lock up the rear brake, right?
     
  6. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    It is common for the curve-hangers to ride this way. Faster response time to shift weight when throwing your butt around the saddle when cornering. I would get fatigued rather quickly myself, don't do it 'cause I don't ride that way. I wouldn't do it if you ride street, you'll wear out quickly and the ride won't be as comfortable. Do what suits you man, you'll be ok what ever you choose.
     
  7. unkeldunkel

    unkeldunkel New Member

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    about the reation time thing, most of the braking is done with the front anyway, if you're concerned with reaction time i hope you are overing your lever. also you should be actively sanning in front of you and anticipate what stupid thing someone is going to do, not wait for something tohappen and jam on your bakes
    I don't want to start any arguments, that's just my opinion
     
  8. woot

    woot Active Member

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    6' about 6'1" here.

    I always ride on the balls of my feet... I just found that before I got my new boots it was tiring - now it is very comfortable.

    As Robert said - with the balls of you feet on the pegs you have a strong position to push off of to move your weight.

    Robert - how do you rest your feet? On the inside of the heel so your toes are near the levers?
     
  9. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    I'm always in the backside of my arch, toward the outside. Outside heel I guess you would call it. I have very wide feet (triple E) and have no problems covering the brake lever. I can swim like a fish too!
     
  10. richard03

    richard03 Member

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    So you guys pick up your foot and move it forward to shift also? It seem like this would upset the bike enough to not make it worth it to have extra control in between shifts... And you would have to move your foot so many times too... Am I way off here?

    With the brake pedal lower, I found that I can put the front of the heel of my boot on the peg, - so my foot is "hanging" with the heel "caught" on the peg. This lets me point my foot down to the pedal. This way I just use the tip of my toe to brake. All of that lets me get closer to the tank, so I can lean forward, which definetely (maybe it is in my head) makes me feel like I have more control. More of a sportbike position.

    This is interesting! :D I have never really thought about foot positioning before like this.
     
  11. woot

    woot Active Member

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    I do move my feet frequently... but I brake before turns so that foot is free to weight a peg.

    I shift before turns for the same reason.

    You will see racers invert their shift levers so that they push down to shift up - this is so that when they exit turns they can shift up without having to put their toe under the shift lever. Extra ground clearance.

    I like the extra feel on the pegs, and I can't accidently shift or drag the rear brake.

    Body position.
    ---
    I ride with the goods on the tank and the knees clamped to in. The legs are more free to move then and shift. The further over the bars the better.

    I spent a bit of time on sportbikes and this is just the position that is comfortable for me...

    When I'm touring I'll do ANYTHING to change body position... feet don't have to be on the pegs all of the time.
     
  12. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    I don't have to move to shift, I'm there already. I just have to get under the shifter. Your heel "catching", Rich, sounds like my position but a hair further forward. I haven't any problems shifting in turns either. Just not a big "leaner" if you catch my "drift".
     
  13. woot

    woot Active Member

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    I've dragged the outside edge of my old boots... it happens - particularily on closed roads. I don't tend to do that anymore, proper body position really cuts down on the lean angles. That and getting older and more afraid of speeding tickets.

    Speed is a bit of drug - you do get addicted to it. I've quit, but there are days that I really want to wind it all the way out.

    The thing with a bit of practice is that it is very very good in an emergancy situation. We often tell people that your first ride in the spring should be an empty road/parking lot. Set come cones up even... practice some emergancy stops in a safe location. Practice some slow speed tight turns and some moderate speed figure 8s.

    I find in the spring I'm rustier than the bike. Sometimes (second year riders in particular) riders hit the street as hard in the spring as they did in the late summer... I don't find you can do that. You need a refresher course.

    Ball off foot for me - but anywhere between that and infront of the heel is good I would say.

    Woot
     
  14. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    I find a deserted parking lot and run through some warm ups every once in a while. Good idea to keep sharp, could save the bacon.
     
  15. richard03

    richard03 Member

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    I think I tend to agree with you guys on the logic of having your feet where it feels good and where you can brake where you need to, but not accidentally!

    I also agree about practicing. Being a new rider, I need it!
     
  16. woot

    woot Active Member

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    Foot moving for shifting:

    My toes is just behind the shift lever in the resting position. Wearing size 11 tall boots. ( JR Revolutions normally )

    To shift up:
    - Slide toe under lever - weight it, clutch, click into the gear, in one movement slide the toe out and finish the clutch release. (leaving out the throttle details)

    To shift down:
    - Slide toe over the lever - weight it, clutch, click into the gear, in one movement slide the toe back and finish the clutch release. (leaving out the throttle details)

    With a bit of practice it gets engrained and I don't think I could do it a different way... I bet you're the same way now Robert - couldn't change the way you did it easily.
     
  17. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    You'll find you live longer (or at least avoid unplesant situations more easily) if you do take the time to practice what you were taught in the MSF course. What's that you say? You haven't been? You are missing out on one of the best tools you can own to protect your investment (not to mention your hide). I am regularly challenged on the highways of LA county and have been able to see it coming from well off, thanks to a practiced eye. I've not been hit in 17 years of riding (all my boo-boos I did sitting still) and don't plan on starting. Get the knowledge, it will serve you well indeed (but only if you use it, a small detail). Good luck to you Richard, I look forward to hearing from you soon! (Hopefully after you finish taking a riding course, but we'll take you anyway you show up)
     
  18. richard03

    richard03 Member

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    I actually took the MSF course, I thought it was very good!

    I don't remember them covering foot position on the pegs though - this is one detail that is important though!

    The other thing they didn't cover that I would have appreciated is some lessons on smooth shifting. I have found that if you don't do it quickly and smoothly, you can get yourself in trouble! I have owned manual tranny cars, but this is my first bike - and it is much more important to shift well on the bike!
     

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