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Question What boots work well with the R18?

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Viking Power

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Aug 28, 2024
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Location
Seattle, WA USA
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2023 100 year R18
Hey, guys. I’m looking for a different set of boots that work well with my R18 (100 Year Anny Edtion), foot pegs not floorboards.
I have 2 pair now, 1 are low, shoe style and the other are tall, ADV style.
When I wear the shoe style, I end up with a bruised left shin from banging it on the intake? behind the cyclinder head. However, the shoe style makes for easy maneuvering to get under the shift lever.
When I wear the ADV style, I have shin protection so no bruises. However, they are big and bulky and I find them hard to shift with. Not impossible but my range of motion is limited.

The shoes are like these: Shoes

The boots are these: Boots

Looking for advice. What are you guys using that works well with the design of the bike?

I am open to suggestions but draw the line at sport bike boots. :)

Thanks for any help.

Update: see message below with pic of where I'm bumping my shin.
 
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I'm all about being comfortable when riding; however, I should probably focus more on the safety aspects... i.e. I have floorboards with Toe and Heel Shifters and ride into work with my dress shoes..

When out for long weekend rides, I have a pair of BMW sneaker like shoes; which are - WATER Proof and unfortunately have been tested with positive results...

Screenshot_20240929-065433.webpScreenshot_20240829-132813.webp
 
Star-Lord said:
I'm all about being comfortable when riding; however, I should probably focus more on the safety aspects... i.e. I have floorboards with Toe and Heel Shifters and ride into work with my dress shoes..

When out for long weekend rides, I have a pair of BMW sneaker like shoes; which are - WATER Proof and unfortunately have been tested with positive results...

View attachment 16010View attachment 16012
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These are basically the same as the TCX shoes I have. Maybe a little taller. Won't protect my shins.
 
I have a model B with a heel toe shifter, so nearly never end up with my toe under the shifter, but I do have it adjusted so I can fit my foot under there pretty easily when I want to.

I have a bunch of moto footwear. Recently got these shoes (RSD Fremont) and have really liked them. Sounds like you want a boot to cover your shin, though. I also have the Elsinores (previous gen with the metal plate) but never wore them on the BMW. I wear these boots a lot (Stylmartin Rocket) and find them comfortable and they have good protection. Waterproof also!

If you’ve got some dough to toss around, these Aether Moto Boots might fit the bill. Blue laces to match the blue on the roundel!
 
BigJimSlim said:
I have a model B with a heel toe shifter, so nearly never end up with my toe under the shifter, but I do have it adjusted so I can fit my foot under there pretty easily when I want to.

I have a bunch of moto footwear. Recently got these shoes (RSD Fremont) and have really liked them. Sounds like you want a boot to cover your shin, though. I also have the Elsinores (previous gen with the metal plate) but never wore them on the BMW. I wear these boots a lot (Stylmartin Rocket) and find them comfortable and they have good protection. Waterproof also!

If you’ve got some dough to toss around, these Aether Moto Boots might fit the bill. Blue laces to match the blue on the roundel!
Click to expand...
Something like the Stylmartin Rocket might work though I’m curious if the toe box might be similar to my Icons and bulky for shifting. Thanks for input!

I like those Aether Moto Boots. Matching laces! A bit steep in price but nice looking.
 
Viking Power said:
These are basically the same as the TCX shoes I have. Maybe a little taller. Won't protect my shins.
Click to expand...
For long weekend rides, I focus a little more on safety; where, I'll wear a pair of KLIM protective under pants, under normal pants...

Perhaps, consider wearing a pair of protective soccer shin guards under your garments? I would even consider a pair of soccer goalie protective under garments, to wear under a comfortable pair of waterproof jeans... plus, the goalie pants have sewed in pockets for shin guards..

Screenshot_20240930-050517.webpScreenshot_20240930-050742.webp
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Viking Power said:
Something like the Stylmartin Rocket might work though I’m curious if the toe box might be similar to my Icons and bulky for shifting. Thanks for input!

I like those Aether Moto Boots. Matching laces! A bit steep in price but nice looking.
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The Rockets are definitely a bit less bulky than the Icons that I have. I’m not sure if Icon slimmed the toe on this newer version though.

Have you tinkered with the placement of the shifter at all?
 
I have two pairs of Indie Ridge boots; one is mesh for summer and the other for those cold California winters :-). Well made and comfortable. The company is small enough that if you ever have an issue, they will take care of it without any drama. I had thread come loose on a pair of glove they make, and they just sent me a new pair, no questions asked.
 
fleabag said:
I have two pairs of Indie Ridge boots; one is mesh for summer and the other for those cold California winters :-). Well made and comfortable. The company is small enough that if you ever have an issue, they will take care of it without any drama. I had thread come loose on a pair of glove they make, and they just sent me a new pair, no questions asked.
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Those look good. How are yours holding up? I came across a Reddit thread with some people talking about them falling apart pretty quickly.
 
I'm going to ask a follow up to my original post:

Anybody else end up with a bruised left shin?

I was taught to squeeze the tank with the knees which is maybe giving me trouble but I'd maintain that it is the right way to control a motorcycle.

Thoughts? Similar experiences?
 
What is your left shin bumping into?

I can't say that I squeeze the R18 fuel tank as much as I did while riding my GS Adventure; however, the GS Adventure riding style and road surfaces were very different.
 
Viking Power said:
I'm going to ask a follow up to my original post:

Anybody else end up with a bruised left shin?

I was taught to squeeze the tank with the knees which is maybe giving me trouble but I'd maintain that it is the right way to control a motorcycle.

Thoughts? Similar experiences?
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Never. Doesn’t seem like my shins come into any contact with the heads to any noticeable degree. But again, I’ve got a heel toe shifter, so that may play to my advantage here.
 
Star-Lord said:
What is your left shin bumping into?

I can't say that I squeeze the R18 fuel tank as much as I did while riding my GS Adventure; however, the GS Adventure riding style and road surfaces were very different.
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It's bumping into the air intake pipe behind the cylinder head. See pic:
 

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Hahaha. Yeah, maybe I'm riding a bit hard. I did get the worst bruising when I went on a 162 mile group ride weekend before last. I was the only one on a cruiser and had to show those boys that it has some grunt!
 
Viking Power said:
Hahaha. Yeah, maybe I'm riding a bit hard. I did get the worst bruising when I went on a 162 mile group ride weekend before last. I was the only one on a cruiser and had to show those boys that it has some grunt!
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I probably ride like an elder at this point. Never came up against the intake or the heads. But yeah, not sure what boot would protect that high up that’s not an ADV or racing type boot. Your Elsinores are probably the best boot for the job. Just adjust the shifter a tooth and you should have clearance to be comfortable and confident.
 
BigJimSlim said:
I probably ride like an elder at this point. Never came up against the intake or the heads. But yeah, not sure what boot would protect that high up that’s not an ADV or racing type boot. Your Elsinores are probably the best boot for the job. Just adjust the shifter a tooth and you should have clearance to be comfortable and confident.
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Thanks I'll look to adjust the shifter and/or modify my riding a bit. Or both.
 
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