K11 Owners Group

[Off the grid]

Just curious what everyone thinks.

The security of steel toes (which when crushed the wrong way can actually sever your toes) and a medium length leather upper or better calf/shin/ankle bone/heel protection/armor and that nifty extra piece for the shifter?
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

[Flying Duck]

Motorcycle boots for motorcycling. Construction boots for constructioning.
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[Off the grid]

+1 for "constructioning"
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

[SugarHillCTD]

Poll: none of the above.

How about just a plain pair of boots. Notice the shiny silver highlights.


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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

[Flying Duck]

I've got some elephant skin ropers I wear riding sometimes. Elephant skin is the toughest coolest leather there is.

Took 'em on the ferry once. Leather is slippery on a painted steel deck. That was back when I used to put the bike on the centerstand on the ferry. My foot slipped while doing the centerstaqnd clean and jerk. Almost dropped the LT but my brother was there and helped me save it.

Had them resoled with motorcycle boot soles the next week.

(I now leave my bike in 1st gear on the sidestand on the boat now because that is most stable.)
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[drmalacarne]

Steel toes boots: if you crash the front of the boot, the metal will smash your toes, and stay in that position, compressing permanenty your toes.
That's soud painfull to me.
Guilherme.
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1994 K1100LT SE n° 0267
1998 HD Heritage Springer 95th anniversary
Yes, a Hog and a Beemer can live together!

[owrstrich]

i will wear whatever barback insane obmamma wants me to wear and i will be proud to do it for the messiah...

jo
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yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

[SugarHillCTD]

[mnb]

Three weeks ago, I went down at 20-25mph in some gravel on the Harley. The leather on the toe of the boot was peeled back and the composite (not steel) hard toe looked like it was held against a bench grinder.

Towards the instep a tad from that rip was a slice, all the way through the leather, all across the toe of my boot.

If I wasn't wearing my 5.11 ATAC Shield boots, I might not HAVE toes today.

You can read the full story about the boots here: http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62257



In comparison, I have a $400 pair of Daytona boots. They are among the finest boots made. They have ankle and shin armor (although not excessively like some boots) and fit REALLY nice. Probably the best fitting boots I've ever had. No hard toe, though. And the sole isn't as good at gripping.

I wear the Daytonas on the beemer. They're sporty boots, it's my sporty bike. I wear the swat boots with the hard toe on the Harley.

But I'm really questioning ever buying another pair of motorcycle specific boots again. Unless I can find some that provide the flexibility and mobility I need and will protect my toe (instep would be nice too, footpegs love to slam me there).

I could buy Motocross boots, but I need something more practical.
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M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

[BlackHoof]

I love these Poles, & Chechz too for that matter...

I like my broken in Combat Touring boots, expeshully
on my new to me Burgman scooter...
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Kent

'93 K1100LT- Blurple Colored
Lucky # 887
'27 Bugatti Replica/Kit Car-Dark Purple
'05 Suzuki Brugman/Russell Seat...

[DetroitDan]

Both.

If I'm wearing shorts, I wear composite-toed, waterproof, heavy hiking boots.

Commuting . . . ATGATT . . . Alpinestars.


Yeah...I know about the shorts. But, I likes it!
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1973 CB350F / 1977 R100/7 / 1991 DR650S / 1995 K1100RS

"No man in the wrong can stand up against a fellow that’s in the right and keeps on a-comin’” Capt. Bill McDonald (1852-1918)

[LordGondor]

[Moondog]

Aside from severed toes the steel in the steel toe can act like a cold sink in cold weather. It feels like have a couple of ice cubes wrapped around your toes. I have also read about how steel toes are not good for ones feet. Luckly I haven't had the pleasure of having to wear steel toes to often. I like my Alpines. Cozy from the second I first put them on.

AND the ER almost cut them up last year trying to get the boot off my foot. I stopped the nurse just in time and then she cut the water resistant liner instead and off it came. And Alpine said they wouldn't fix them.

I took them to a shoe doctor and he said "you don't need that liner". I said it is not a matter as to whether I need it or not, I want it fixed. He said "I am too busy. Go find someone else". Someday I'll get them fixed.
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"Badges? We don't need no stinking badges"!

I like the social aspect of riding. Rally's, socializing, drinking beer, fartin' and carrying on.

2004 R1150RS
1996 K1100RS (moved on to new home)

[Jim Brotherton]

I think the important thing here is wear something protective. Too many times I have seen people riding with their Áir Jordans'or some other Micky Mouse sport shoe. There are alot of shoes out there sold as a touring shoe to be used on motorcyles that is a completely soft ankel high boot/shoe, offering no protection what so ever. I have a pair of boots (motorcycle) that use that have steel toes, very comfortable riding and WALKING, also very important. I also use a high boot that I used when I was in the military, laces a mile long but not steel toe. Both protective heavy duty leather.
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1995 K1100RS
2004 R1150RT

[Jim Brotherton]

[hockeyshifter]

well here is my input.

1) steel toes ( composite) will protect you put only so far.. i have worn steel toes for 18 years on the job and can say they provide a false sense of security. knowing the protection is on the toes you are less likely to move your foot your knee jerk reaction becomes muted. as for footing you can beat the traction of the lug sole.. kinda for like spiked cleats on hard pack turf..

2) as for moto boots. your toes are not protected but you have better overall protection below the knee. you can get with or without insualtion a plus for colder rider. and waterproofing is excellent. i have yet to get a work boot that is waterproof that is not coated in rubber.
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fix the problem not the blame ; fix what is messed up ; NO one is to blame.

[CheapJapCopy]

Sidi "Courier" boots are the business.

They used to be their MX boots, but instead of discontinuing them they kept them on and called them "Courier" because London couriers kept buying them. I'm on my second pair in ten years - first was their MX boots in 1998, then I bought the identical courier version last year to replace them.

Many crashes in those boots.
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1992 K1100RS - Red and gold.

[Shoganai]

Vendramini Marathon motorcycle boots.

I researched m/c boots for 2 months before buying these and have never regreted my choice.

After two major and one minor crash, other bones broken, my ankles never got hurt and were never even sore.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-boots/

I believe in the right tool for the job.

Yes, a wrench can be used as a hammer, but I prefer using a hammer.
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1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[mike toon]

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Current Bikes
1993 K1100LT
1976 GL1000 Naked
1981 GL1100 Naked
2000 DR650 Dual Sport