04-14-2015, 07:12 AM
(04-14-2015, 06:53 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: yep, I ride with mine "splayed" to avoid the levers too.
Not be be curmudgeonly, or worse yet, sanctimonious, but "splay" at your own peril!
Twice in the last five years, I have dropped a dirt bike in loose track on to its right-side and landed badly because of my "slightly splayed" boot. Slightly, as in maybe 15 degrees. In each case, as the bike fell slowly to the side (with me underneath)the splayed boot caused my foot to twist around with my torso facing forward and my foot point behind the bike. I was unable to move, in excruciating pain, and in excruciating pain. Serious pain! I couldn't do anything about it until someone lifted the bike off of me.
Lesson #1 NEVER SPLAY!! It is not taught anywhere that I know. It is not a "technique that MSF endorses, as far as I know. My remedy was to spend the time, effort and small amount of money to make my size 12s fit the bike better. The brake pedal has either been adjusted properly, or modified properly to make it work for me. I can now ride with my foot hovering just above the brake pedal in a very natural position. I have asked quite a trailing riders if my brake light comes on unexpectedly. They tell me it doesn't.
Of course, this probably doesn't mean anything to another person. Before you judge me, ride a mile in my shoes!