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Question What boots work well with the R18?

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The boots I've found most comfortable and flexible are the Gaerne Oiled Balance, it's a flat trials boot, also are great on the GS.

The armor is limited but that contributes to them being flexible enough for cruising, they are quite comfortable.

They have a low toe so space under the cylinders is no issue, and they fit my wide feet very nicely.

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BigJimSlim said:
Those look good. How are yours holding up? I came across a Reddit thread with some people talking about them falling apart pretty quickly.
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They have been great. No issues in over a year. If there is ever a problem, they will fix it.

Edit: I searched r/ and found that people liked them :-)
 
fleabag said:
They have been great. No issues in over a year. If there is ever a problem, they will fix it.

Edit: I searched r/ and found that people liked them :-)
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I saw people liking them too, but I’m always won over by the bad reviews! Which then makes it realllly difficult to make a decision.
 
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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No problem with the shins but I do squeeze the tank hard enough that I plan on getting Wunderlich tank pads.
 
VARG said:
The boots I've found most comfortable and flexible are the Gaerne Oiled Balance, it's a flat trials boot, also are great on the GS.

The armor is limited but that contributes to them being flexible enough for cruising, they are quite comfortable.

They have a low toe so space under the cylinders is no issue, and they fit my wide feet very nicely.

View attachment 16029
Click to expand...
 
i think dress boots are the best or johnny reb riding boots are good, slim at the toe for getting foot under shifter, but it is better to use the heel shifter, also consider getting gear shift extension front and rear from Wunderlich, I've just put on the front and has made a big improvement so have now ordered heel shift extender as well (rear). i find my johnny rebs are the best boots for protection but dress boots work fine too
 
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’m not sure how different the foot setup is across the R18 family, but I TRIED to clunk my legs into the intakes on my B while out yesterday and I couldn’t! You must really be sending it!
 
BigJimSlim said:
I’m not sure how different the foot setup is across the R18 family, but I TRIED to clunk my legs into the intakes on my B while out yesterday and I couldn’t! You must really be sending it!
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Those first few hundred miles I really was!

Yesterday I did 50 miles and rode the cruiser like a cruiser. Shin is bruise free.

I'm learning.
 
pandemonium said:
i think dress boots are the best or johnny reb riding boots are good, slim at the toe for getting foot under shifter, but it is better to use the heel shifter, also consider getting gear shift extension front and rear from Wunderlich, I've just put on the front and has made a big improvement so have now ordered heel shift extender as well (rear). i find my johnny rebs are the best boots for protection but dress boots work fine too
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I don't have a heel shifter. Actually looking to do a conversion to having one but currently I don't.

Which Johnny Reb boots do you recommend? I'm not familiar with the brand.
 
VARG said:
The boots I've found most comfortable and flexible are the Gaerne Oiled Balance, it's a flat trials boot, also are great on the GS.

The armor is limited but that contributes to them being flexible enough for cruising, they are quite comfortable.

They have a low toe so space under the cylinders is no issue, and they fit my wide feet very nicely.

View attachment 16029
Click to expand...
These are similar to my Icon Elsinore 2s.
 
I just got these boots (click) delivered today and rode about 25 miles on my cafe racer with em. Feel good, look good, priced good. I ended up with a half size down from my sneaker size.

They’re another option that aren’t gonna cover high up like the Icons, but these are good looking with proper protection. And cheap!

I was actually about to pull the trigger on those Aether boots I mentioned, but I like the looks of these better, even if they won’t be heirloom pieces.
 
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Viking Power said:
I don't have a heel shifter. Actually looking to do a conversion to having one but currently I don't.

Which Johnny Reb boots do you recommend? I'm not familiar with the brand.
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maybe only available in oz, i agree with other member, i sometimes use my hiking boots without issues
 
Viking Power said:
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 don’t have the shin-banging problem (shorter legs?) but for easier shifting and braking I got the Wunderlich longer levers, they helped a lot.
 
DonC said:
I don’t have the shin-banging problem (shorter legs?) but for easier shifting and braking I got the Wunderlich longer levers, they helped a lot.
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Good to know. I'll check those out. I was also thinking of going heel toe with floorboards as an option. I'd imagine the Wunderlich long levers would be a lot cheaper.
 
Viking Power said:
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.
Click to expand...
I have the same bike. I like boots that are comfortable but will give you some protection IF you go down et. The key for me is a recessed area between the sole of the boot and the heel where the footpegs fit. No flat bottom boots or anything that doesn't have that kind of "notch" so to speak.
 
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