brake foot

[jenmom22]

Hi everyone!

Have a dumb question about the brake foot..

I rode for about 30 minutes to an hour yesterday (you lose track of time, don't you?), and realized on the way back that my foot was tense/sore. I am holding my foot at a wierd angle the whole time - heel sitting on the back peg, so that the ball of the foot is hovering over the brake. I don't want to ride the brake, but I don't want to 'miss' the brake if a deer/dog whatever jumps in front of me. I guess I miss the hand brake, but what is the best place to place/hold the foot so I'm not cramping after only a little while.

Thanks. I planned on going out tonight for a run, but work was hell, so will practice tomorrow.

:helpsmilie:

 

[RShrimp]

It's kind of the same as the shifter I just move my foot out a bit and relax

 

[jenmom22]

so, I point it outward, instead of hovering over the brake?

 

[Neez]

Make, or purchase, a brake pedal extender. It's an easy mod, and will greatly ease right leg strain. Here is a photo of my home-brew extender. Some of our sponsors make prettier ones. I've been using mine for quite a while now and you don't drag the brakes even though the ball of the foot rides just above the pedal.

 

[SpyderWolf]

so, I point it outward, instead of hovering over the brake?

Exactly. Your foot will ryde in that position much more comfortably, and it is a quick turn of the foot to hit the brake pedal. As you become more familiar with your Spyder it will become something you don't even think about.

That brake pedal extension looks pretty good as well, in case you can't get comfortable the other way.

 

[jenmom22]

Thank you! Will definitely try the outward movement. I think I was moving towards that during the straightways.

The road I am practicing on does not have many straight parts. It's more of 50 feet of straight, then curve, then straight for another couple of yards, and curve the next part. One of the best parts of the back hill is this long gentle curve that is all down hill. It curves a little bit and pops up to a steep climb - no way to see what's up at the top. I used to walk it, and surprised the heck out of a deer (guess I walk quietly).

Because of all the swerves, curves and twists, I am always in 2nd gear. I guess that's way I'm hovering over the brake. Thanks for the tip. I'll try it tomorrow.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Thank you! Will definitely try the outward movement. I think I was moving towards that during the straightways.

The road I am practicing on does not have many straight parts. It's more of 50 feet of straight, then curve, then straight for another couple of yards, and curve the next part. One of the best parts of the back hill is this long gentle curve that is all down hill. It curves a little bit and pops up to a steep climb - no way to see what's up at the top. I used to walk it, and surprised the heck out of a deer (guess I walk quietly).

Because of all the swerves, curves and twists, I am always in 2nd gear. I guess that's way I'm hovering over the brake. Thanks for the tip. I'll try it tomorrow.

You will also find that rolling off the throttle tends to slow the Spyder down fairly quickly as well, which means less need to use the brakes. All these things will come to you as you continue to practice. :thumbup:

 

[pjp623]

:agree:I tend to use that first and then go to the brake as needed.

 

[j45p3r]

Like the others I keep my foot pointed out just to the right of the brake. It's a quick move back to the brake if I need it. Like in a car, you don't keep your foot over the brake (at least I don't), you move from the accelerator to the brake when it's needed (that's what is taught in drivers ed now, you're not supposed to brake with your left foot).

 

[BillGargan]

When using the peg (local driving typically) I keep the arch of my foot on the peg and relax. When outside the bounds of heavy traffic I have my foot on the SFB floorboard.

I have no issue with thinking about moving my foot to brake -- anymore than I do in my car where you move from the accelerator to the brake and back.

 

[Bob Denman]

BillG has a good point... none of us have had any trouble finding the brake from the gas pedal when we're in a "cage". That havng been said; I use the "outward and just off the pedal" method also...

 

[jenmom22]

Will try that method tonight. I think I'm thinking too much about it..

I drove the way I want to pratice tonight, and realized that I do slow down about the same I did on Charlotte, so although I know I am being cautious, I am not being overly so.

Talk to you guys soon - thanks again for being there!

 

[Dudley]

The hill from your house is the perfect place to practice panic stops. The brakes on the Spyder will never lock up so while going downhill just just tell yourself "STOP", slam on the brakes. I have found that the Spyder stops on a dime and gives you back some change! Like it's been posted, you go through the same motion with the Spyder brakes as you do with the car...you have to move your foot. The more you practice, the more natural it will get for a panic reaction. I just travel with my heel hooking the foot peg and do my best to anticipate the need and have time to even tap the brakes a few times before stopping...tapping them saves the pads. In the end, stay within your window of experience and slowly grow as you add the miles.

 

[Texmac1011]

A little more incentive to relocate your foot

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23164

 

[jenmom22]

makes sense

I read through the link - does make it more important not to keep my foot hovering over the brake.

Went on a ride today, and did the suggestions - kept the heel of the foot on the peg, pointing outward, rather than over the brake. I used the throttle instead of the brakes to go into the turns/curves and then just tapped the brake if I needed to. That also kept me in 2nd gear instead of dropping into 1st all the time.

Thanks to all - more practice is needed, but it was soo nice to come home, change and go climb on Charlotte. My husband said it's cool to see the smile on my face when I come back into the house after a run.

:2thumbs:

 

[SpyderWolf]

I read through the link - does make it more important not to keep my foot hovering over the brake.

Went on a ride today, and did the suggestions - kept the heel of the foot on the peg, pointing outward, rather than over the brake. I used the throttle instead of the brakes to go into the turns/curves and then just tapped the brake if I needed to. That also kept me in 2nd gear instead of dropping into 1st all the time.

Thanks to all - more practice is needed, but it was soo nice to come home, change and go climb on Charlotte. My husband said it's cool to see the smile on my face when I come back into the house after a run.

:2thumbs:

:2thumbs:

Glad to hear it.