Gear changing problems - boots?

[Osinjak]

I've had this problem on and off for a few years and I'm hoping someone can solve it for me. I suspect I'm being seriously dim but feck it.

Couple of years ago I had a Hornet and when I picked it up (120 miles away) the weather forecast was ste, I didn't have any proper wet weather boots so took my Goretex walking boots as a back up. Sure enough it hacked it down so pulled over and got changed. Set off and straight away had real issues changing up, couldn't find a gear, it was as if there was excessive play in the selector, it would move up but wouldn't engage a gear. I had to gently move the selector until I felt the resistance of the next gear and then actually change gear. This went on until I got home and although it was properly annoying I just put it down to inappropriate footwear and thought no more about it. I then went and bought some cheapo goretex HG boots although they weren't really proper riding boots as such but they were fine in showers, etc.

So a couple of weeks ago and another change of bike I decided to get some proper boots and bought some Motorrad touring boots and the same bloody issue as above has returned but this time on a different bike. I'll set off, try and change up and there's the same thing again, the selector moves but there's no gear; I have to do the gently thing until I feel the resistance of the next gear and then change up. I find that I have to fettle the selector two or three times to get that resistance. I've just literally hopped out into town but couldn't be arsed to get my gear on so just went out in my jeans and crappy Timberlands and I was all over the place because I discovered I could change gear again with no issues.

What's going on and what am I doing wrong?

[thatdude]

New boots are not very flexible and need wearing in...wear them an hour a day walking about the house / office / etc and they'll loosen up.

[bogie]

Sounds to me like the gear lever is too high for you and you need to adjust it down so theres less effort/ankle movement needed to change gear

All bikes are different, and the relationship between footpeg and gear shifter is not always right for you "out of the box"

the first thing you should do when you get a new bike is adjust the controls to suit you; gear lever, clutch, front and rear brake. Most bikes have adjustable ones, many people upgrade to get more adjustability if they cant get the right fit with the OE parts

[moanthebairns]

bogie said:

Sounds to me like the gear lever is too high for you and you need to adjust it down so theres less effort/ankle movement needed to change gear

All bikes are different, and the relationship between footpeg and gear shifter is not always right for you "out of the box"

the first thing you should do when you get a new bike is adjust the controls to suit you; gear lever, clutch, front and rear brake. Most bikes have adjustable ones, many people upgrade to get more adjustability if they cant get the right fit with the OE parts

yes this, its amazing how the position of a gear lever can lead to crunchy gears.

Setting it up can be a black art. well not really but impossible to judge whilst stationary. it wont be the first time ive pulled of at the side of the road to "fix it".

[Hooli]

Or it could be too low so it can't return to centre due to your toes when block changing.
I find touring boots harder to ride in because they are thicker, but as they work in all weathers it's worth getting used too.

[Osinjak]

Cheers all, I suspect it's because my boots are so new although I just can't work out why it does it, very frustrating. When I wear any other kind of footwear, I have absolutely no problems but those new boots just mess it all up. May just have to do as suggested and try and wear them in a bit.

[bogie]

I have got new boots before and they are thicker from sole to top, so had to adjust the lever to suit ...its usually really easy to adjust the lever, just take a look first which way it needs to go and try a few mm at a time

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

I only get on with Sidi boots - they are very slim at the toe. Anything else it too chunky and I find changing gear difficult.
I guess it's just what you get used to.

[Osinjak]

bogie said:

I have got new boots before and they are thicker from sole to top, so had to adjust the lever to suit ...its usually really easy to adjust the lever, just take a look first which way it needs to go and try a few mm at a time

Sorry for the stupid question but what am I adjusting for? I've never needed to adjust the gear selector so I'm a bit lost to be honest.

[MotorsportTom]

I have two pairs of boots I regularly change between and I've ridden my bike in little trainer/pump items and work boots and other than the odd feeling for a second changing gear is the same every time.

[Jazoli]

What bike is it? Adjustment is a 5 minute job on pretty much anything.

[Osinjak]

Jazoli said:

What bike is it? Adjustment is a 5 minute job on pretty much anything.

2001 BMW R1100S but what am I adjusting for?

[bogie]

Osinjak said:

Jazoli said:

What bike is it? Adjustment is a 5 minute job on pretty much anything.

2001 BMW R1100S but what am I adjusting for?

so that it changes gear easily when you move your foot up

sit on bike with it on the stand and practice ...if you cant move your foot far enough you need the lever down a bit more at its starting point

but you dont want it so far down that you cant fit your boot in the gap under it

its down to personal preference really, but you do actually need to make easy gear changes with just a small movement

[Osinjak]

bogie said:

its down to personal preference really, but you do actually need to make easy gear changes with just a small movement

But this is the problem, if I wear normal boots like my brown leather Timberlands or my HG boots, no problems, I can snick through the gears quite happily but when I've got my tourers on it all goes to ratst. Not sure if adjusting anything is really going to help?

[bogie]

Osinjak said:

bogie said:

its down to personal preference really, but you do actually need to make easy gear changes with just a small movement

But this is the problem, if I wear normal boots like my brown leather Timberlands or my HG boots, no problems, I can snick through the gears quite happily but when I've got my tourers on it all goes to ratst. Not sure if adjusting anything is really going to help?

I have a similar issue if I wear different boots to my regular riding boots...as my shifter on my bike is adjusted just right for the boots I wear most of the time...

So you can adjust the bike or wear different boots ...its one or the other

[Osinjak]

Ok, cheers. I'll have a look tomorrow and see if I can adjust it.

[The Moose]

My guess is the lever isn't returning fully to it's "neutral" position. Try taking your foot off the peg between shifting to diagnose.

[Osinjak]

The Moose said:

My guess is the lever isn't returning fully to it's "neutral" position. Try taking your foot off the peg between shifting to diagnose.

Mate, that was EXACTLY what was going on! Within about 20 yards I realised what I was doing wrong, I was effectively riding the selector and not allowing it to return to its proper position. Thanks, I owe you one!

[The Moose]

Osinjak said:

The Moose said:

My guess is the lever isn't returning fully to it's "neutral" position. Try taking your foot off the peg between shifting to diagnose.

Mate, that was EXACTLY what was going on! Within about 20 yards I realised what I was doing wrong, I was effectively riding the selector and not allowing it to return to its proper position. Thanks, I owe you one!

It's not like I've been there or anything

Glad it's sorted anyway.

[Osinjak]

I just didn't realise I was doing it, seems so obvious now when you think about it. Thicker, stiffer boots and all that. I can adjust the selector to compensate so I'll square that away later as well, thanks to those that suggested that as well.