riding style ... "Where is that rear brake pedal?"

[safiri]

From http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic= ... try3308729.

This info was useful to me as I often am hunting around for the rear brake pedal. Hope someone here fnds it useful, too. Didn't know if KTMTalk required a logon so I copied the Q and As below.

Question:
I'm looking for something to extend outward the stock brake pedal. The tiny tab that is held on by 2 bolts is too small for my size 14 foot to hit. I need a bigger target. The only thing I found that comes close is called a pedal step but all it is is a orange anodized part that is exactly the same size as stock.

There must be something! I don't need a new pedal! Just a little more meat on the existing one!

Answers:
1. That indicates to me that you might need to adjust your riding style. Your toes should be tight against the motor pretty much 100% of the time. If they are, you should have no trouble finding that pedal. I think that's why they're made so short, to encourage you to ride with your toes out of harms way. I've seen more than a few injuries happen from toes out riders, tearing knees up or spiral fracturing a leg bone. Nasty stuff.


2. If you are having a hard time finding the pedal though I would definately look at you technique. Most poeple complain because they inadvertantly drag the rear brake. You should just need to rotate your foot inward until it stops (hits the motor) and then press down. Do you ride sitting down n the seat a lot? If so I would encourage you to try standing up more. When you are seated the break pedal cacn be trickier to find because you pretty much need to lift your foot off of the foot peg in order to get to it because your toes will most likely be below the pedal.


3. 38 years later i still have pains from my begining riding years with my toes hanging down, its very very dangerous! Real world, everytime someone want to alter a bike to fit themselves they would be better off to just go ride it, low soft seats are NOT more comfortable, high handlebars only serve to reduce the angle of the hill you can climb etc. A lot of time and evolution has gone into the state of the art dirt bike


4. I'll never forget that diagnosis written on the hospital chart "disfixiation of the tibial plateau". That's 25 years ago for me. The x-ray still shows a nice loop of wire with a twist in the end that held it together. Best wishes on a speedy recovery!

[Stu]

I sometimes miss the brake pedal with my size 10s but I chalk that up to user error. I do not want the brake pedal sticking out any more than it does. You may remember the earlier "enduro" bikes that were modified street bikes. We had to modify the brake levers to keep them from being torn off since they stuck out away from the motor some.

The KTM brake cable that keeps branches and small trees from jamming between the brake lever and the frame and doing pedal damage is a worthwhile accessory.

The KTMTalk suggestions (stand more, keep your boot next to the cases) sound like solid advice to me.

Stu

[MacWildcat]

Good advice on the brake pedal, I kept checking my bike thinking the lever was bent towards the bike. I notice it's more noticeable when I'm wearing soft street shoes instead of riding boots.

[phil denk]

This is probably old news but when I set up my controls I favor the standing position on all levers and pedals. I've found that allowing a little slop at the top of the brake pedal travel will prevent inadvertently riding the brake. My old Husky had a really flimsy rear brake pedal (rear brake) and was a nightmare in muddy conditions. I can recall several occasions when the only alternative was to lock up the front brake and hope for the best...!