How the heck can you shift with MX boots?

Tried my new Fox Comp 5 boots today. How the heck do you shift properly with MX boots? They are so stiff I have to bend my whole leg in a weird way to get under the gear lever, and then I can't feel it on top of my toe so I have to look down which is not the best idea especially in rough terrain.

Boots break in with a little time. Wear them around the house for a day or two. Walk the dog around the block. Also make sure you readjust your shifter, that can make a difference as well.

When I started wearing MX boots I had that same problem.

Eventually as you ride more and more you begin to get some feeling.
Of course you will never get as much feeling compared to racing boots.
However as you ride more you do gain some feeling eventually.

I had to adjust my shift lever to allow the boot to get under it without having to work extra hard.

I found a nice compromise for the different footwear I regularly use.

The shifter placement that came from yamaha was nowhere near friendly for wearing a much bulkier MX boot.

I also have the Fox Comp 5 boot.

Pivot pegs would help, they are a little pricey though

I was taught to shift with the lip of the sole of MX boots--basically shifting with the side of the boot.

I have Alpinestars Tech 6s and it took a while to break them in but I can shift just fine with them now.

combo wrote:

Pivot pegs would help, they are a little pricey though

+1 on Pivotpegs. They have made it much easier for me to shift with boots.

Not sure if the pivotpegz will solve my problem. Is there a way to make the gear lever sit a bit higher?

Shifting with the lip of the sole won't work as my boots don't have a lip.

motokid wrote:

I had to adjust my shift lever to allow the boot to get under it without having to work extra hard.

How did you to that?

WRXR wrote:

motokid wrote:

I had to adjust my shift lever to allow the boot to get under it without having to work extra hard.

How did you to that?

Remove the bolt holding the shift lever to the shaft. The bolt and lever is splined. Slide the lever back on in a higher position. Reinsert the bolt and tighten. I also bought a Driven Shift Lever, which allowed me a better position then the stock one.

mordicai wrote:

WRXR wrote:

motokid wrote:

I had to adjust my shift lever to allow the boot to get under it without having to work extra hard.

How did you to that?

Remove the bolt holding the shift lever to the shaft. The bolt and lever is splined. Slide the lever back on in a higher position. Reinsert the bolt and tighten. I also bought a Driven Shift Lever, which allowed me a better position then the stock one.

notice the remove bolt part, don't just loosen it a little. it makes a big difference, took me about a week to get used to the MX boots when I bought them. also walked the dog in them to help break them in. I love them now though.

+1 on the Driven shift lever.
It's got a slightly different bend than stock and will let the lever get a little further away from the stator cover which will let you raise the shift lever up more.
I only wear MX boots when I ride. The Driven shift lever was one of the first mods I made to the bike.

Scott P.

Great tip I think I will do the Driven shift lever.

One question the Wheelingcyclesupply websites shifter looks different than the Driven's.
Which picture is the correct one? (edit - Wheeling cycle supply has the correct pic. Driven's is a generic pic)


http://www.drivenracing.com/content.cfm/go/storeproduct/id/869/name/08-10wr250xshifter



http://www.wheelingcyclesupply.com/shop/1/22/index.shtml

I've got the pivotpegs and they are the bomb! I also moved the shifter up a bit on the splines and my Fox MX boots work wonderfully without having to replace the shifter.

Try adjusting the stock lever first, I only needed to put mine up a notch and it was perfect , another technique that helps is pointing your toes outward a little and using the inside of your toe to shift, going up a gear to down and back is easier with this method

liftdt4r wrote:

I have Alpinestars Tech 6s and it took a while to break them in but I can shift just fine with them now.

i know this is off topic, sorta, but what about the brake, do you find the lever to be too high when wearing mx boots? with less movement in the ankle you have to lift your toe up to hit the brake lever and its hard to let down only half way or whatever to brake a little .. seems like if the break lever was lower, it would be easy just to tap down a little for break instead of lifting up your toe on to the lever and make sure not to let down all the way .. not sure if it makes sense .. just thought i would ask

edit - forgot to mention, being able to manage breaking both front and rear is pretty important for me, and accidently applying too much on the rear can turn ugly, and what i described above is a big issue for me when wearing mx boots .. i have not had time yet to lower the break lever and see if it helps .. hopefully soon, but just thought i would mention it

Buy a shorter clevis pin for the rear brake or grind down the nut.