O/T- New boots

[felix4x4]

I finally got off my arse and purchased a set of new tech-6 boots Sunday. It has been several years (12) sence I rode with real MX boots. I can't for the life of me remember how I did it so well.

Now my question is how do I get these monster boots broken in enough to ride like I used too. I have already adjusted the shifter up one notch (two up would not alow me to up-shift).

I keep half shifting or getting my toe caught under the shifter. Then I keep getting my right foot stuck on the rear brake. Do I just need to quit my b*tchen and ride, or is there a trick that I am missing.

Also, who makes a good replacement shifter with out the gay rubber tip for the DRZ. I really dont like that thing. It keeps leaving a black mark on work boots and I think its helping my new boots stay firmly stuck under there.

I do apologize for the long boring post, but hey its what I do.

[gcvt]

I just get my new boots soaking wet and then go for a ride. Works like a charm

[Johny Welch]

Get some Sno-Seal and work it into the leather. It'll make the boots more pliable and waterproof them at the same time. Great stuff.

[Beta300REcat]

I found that with my Thor Quadrant boots the problems I was having with the shifter were caused by not riding in the 'attack' position like I should be. As for the brake I'm gonna lower mine a little more.

I wore mine around the house for a while to help break them in. Then when it came time to ride with them, I made sure they were the only item of new gear I was wearing so I didn't have to adjust to too many things at once. I found that just like riding with wintert gloves, riding with a new pair of modern MX boots takes a little getting used to. Funny how the Thor Quadrant is near the bottom of the rung for MX boots; 26 years ago they would have been the shiznit.............

Personally, I don't like Sno-Seal™, I find my boots breathe better with REI silicone seal or just good ol' KIWI™ shoe polish.

[Giorgio A]

Something else considering the Alpinestars Tech6:

I ride with the IMS pro footpegs (the sharp ones) and its a disaster:

It just chews the soles like mad.

I've Replaced the original 2003-model-sole with the new 2004 sole but guess what - - - after only 6 rides it starts again... horrible wear marks, especially on the left sole (makes sense).

The sole & labour are quite expansive, i don't like the idea of replacing it that often. Has anyone tried puting there some other sole?

[dual dog]

I've never tried it, but heard of the water trick before. Mine broke in after a couple of rides. At first I thought "no way I can ride with these" Now I wouldn't ride off road without 'em.

I just replaced my shifter and spent hours looking for one. I know shoulda called TT store, but needed it now and went local. I couldn't find any w/out the rubber tip, went w/ MSR 1" extended.

The tip is gray rubber, so it won't mark your pretty boots j/k

Otherwise it seems to work better(especially w/my size 13 gunboats)

Good luck

[Beta300REcat]

At first I thought "no way I can ride with these" Now I wouldn't ride off road without 'em.

I just replaced my shifter and spent hours looking for one........ went w/ MSR 1" extended.

HA! When I ride street only I wear different boots; feels like I'm riding barefoot! ?

Thanks for the tip on the MSR shifter. I only have size 11 feet but they feel like 12 1/2.

Something I did on my Daytona shifter was remove the large knurled rubber sleeve and replaced it with a piece of fuel line that was half the diameter. Made a big difference for slipping my 'piggies' underneath it.

[DRZ400SK4]

I have Tech 4s...

As soon as I got them wet on a trail ride, they were fine. Before that I couldn't even shift without lifting my heel.

Dive in, and be happy!

[felix4x4]

Thanks for all the input. I figured it was just the fact I have not had a set of real mx boots for a long time. Plus the fact I just got back into riding.

I will have to see about getting the better shift lever and/or replacing the rubber pad.

I will also look into adjusting the height of the rear brake lever, never had a bike with rear disc so this is new to me. My last bike had front disc rear drum... eak... it has been a long time sence I owned a bike

[DRZ400SK4]

Just go get 'em wet! Problem solved, I guarantee.

[felix4x4]

Well, after a week of putting the new boots on and riding around the block a few times and walking around in the yard. I decided to go for a long ride.

I put on my new gear from the block sale and the new Tech 6's and headed out with a co-worker for Big Bear, CA.

I had a few missed shifts and a few acceidental shifts, but got used to them rather quickly. I now remember how riding is suposed to feel (for your feet anyway), and dont know how I was trail riding with out boots for the last few months.

I am very happy with the boots and thank you all for the tips on getting them broken in. The water trick worked, plus they got a little wet on the water crossings on the trail.