Being the owner of 2 artificial knees, I find that the stock riding position gives me leg cramps after a while. It helped some when I went to a brake pedal extender, and some more when I got the Kewl Metal highway peg mounts and Kuryakin Iso-boards. But when using the highway pegs, I was always worried about the longer brake reaction time and I didn't use them as much as I would have wished. So, I decided to arrange things to see if I could come up with a heel braking system that would work quickly and safely.
I exchanged the Iso-boards for Kuryakin Iso pegs, part#8002. These have a round cross-section allowing the foot to pivot and also allowing the peg to be closer to the brake pedal. I found that my calf-high riding boots restricted foot pivoting, so I replaced them with boots that just covered the ankle bones. My previous homemade brake pedal extender only brought the pedal pad out 2 inches from it's stock position, and this length proved insufficient, so I increased by one inch. The new extender was made out of a piece of 3/16 x 1 x 5 inch flatbar, properly drilled and bolted up. Use a good grade of bolt. The link on the Kewl Metal peg mounts allow a good amount of adjustment. You want your heel just clear of the end of the brake pad. You will swing the heel inboard and depress the pedal. Adjust the peg position and extender length until it feels perfect and then find a lonely road to practice, practice, practice, switching frequently from toe braking to heel braking. It has to be second nature, if not, revert to stock. We're talking brakes here!
It has worked out perfectly for me and I ride around town confidently on the forward pegs with a great deal more comfort. I still use the stock pegs in the twisties, though.
I exchanged the Iso-boards for Kuryakin Iso pegs, part#8002. These have a round cross-section allowing the foot to pivot and also allowing the peg to be closer to the brake pedal. I found that my calf-high riding boots restricted foot pivoting, so I replaced them with boots that just covered the ankle bones. My previous homemade brake pedal extender only brought the pedal pad out 2 inches from it's stock position, and this length proved insufficient, so I increased by one inch. The new extender was made out of a piece of 3/16 x 1 x 5 inch flatbar, properly drilled and bolted up. Use a good grade of bolt. The link on the Kewl Metal peg mounts allow a good amount of adjustment. You want your heel just clear of the end of the brake pad. You will swing the heel inboard and depress the pedal. Adjust the peg position and extender length until it feels perfect and then find a lonely road to practice, practice, practice, switching frequently from toe braking to heel braking. It has to be second nature, if not, revert to stock. We're talking brakes here!
It has worked out perfectly for me and I ride around town confidently on the forward pegs with a great deal more comfort. I still use the stock pegs in the twisties, though.
