Braking should not hurt.
Second part: on STL brake is flat piece you step "on it" to brake, on F3 it is not, it is a push forward like car. So, was so worried to be confused when needed to brake, I kept touching it, and my ankle was so painful :gaah:, I'll change the position one further, and that may help.:dontknow:
I like the braking pedal on the F3 sooooo much better than on my old ST and GS. On both, you always had to lift your foot to step on the brake. It was not much, but I always thought it added extra time to brake in fast reaction situations.
On the F3 ( the way mine is set up ) my foot rests on the peg ( love the big pegs ) and the ball of my foot 'floats' about a quarter inch above the brake pedal. It does not touch the brake pedal. For normal breaking at Stop signs and signals or to reduce speed faster than a downshift would, a simple immediate flexing forward of my ankle will make my foot contact the brake pedal and apply the necessary pressure. No lifting or moving the foot from one position to another to get to the brake pedal.
In cases where a quick stop full stop is required ( and there have been 4 of those in my first 800 miles ) I flex my ankle forward ( as above ) AND straighten my knee so I am 'standing' on the brake. This applies my full weight nearly instantly to the brake and has the added benefit of my foot being firmly planted on the peg - keeping me balanced against the force carrying my body forward caused by the rapid deceleration. I still bend at the waist, but straightening my elbows and pushing against the handlebars helps keep me from kissing the gas cap.
I also use that knee/leg straightening on corners to keep me in the seat an sitting upright. On the ST and having my feet on the floorboards, it always pushed and swayed my body with each turn. On the F3, I feel like I am belted into the seat. Actually, when I fully straighten my knees and have my full weight on the pegs, it pushes my butt up about an inch above the seat or about an inch into the 'step' up from the drivers surface to the passenger surface - up or back is controlled by a pull or push pressure on the handlebars.
None of these movements are awkward or painful - they seem much more natural and smooth than on the GS or ST. Overall, I fell much more in control and secure - it really is like my leg and foot are directly integrated into the braking system. So cool.
I can't really tell from the picture, but it could be that the setting you are at is too short, that you have too much bend in your knees. That might make it feel awkward.
Despite all the words above, if it isn't clear what I am talking about, let me know and I will get some pictures to illustrate.
Oh, one more thing, you mentioned that you have floorboards on order. They were great on the ST for mounting and dismounting. They were OK ( for me ) when riding, but nothing exceptional and generally insufficient for turns. I would only consider putting them on an F3 for the mounting and dismount ease, though that seems an overkill solution to me. Your needs and tastes may dictate otherwise.
Tom
Oh, still another thing - coming from a ST, have you noticed that Objects In The Mirror are closer than they appear on the F3?
hyea:
