Are boots necessary?

[Reino]

I am considering a neck brace, but my ktm suspension has to be sorted. A ktm with wrongly adjusted suspension is dangerous as well.

[568V8]

including Hiviz ... I figure that the dorkiest looking rider gets to ride the furthest. I've had my motorcycle license since 1969 and have only had a few minor mishaps. Each time some part of my body has been saved by protective equipment. The chip in my sunglasses from a rock at highway speed, saving my eye, was probably the smallest incident but yet had the most potential to do me serious life altering harm.
Good gear is way cheaper than body parts.

[cliffy109]

Originally Posted by Twilight Error

What motorcycle boots are you looking at that are so massively bulky and heavy that you don't want to wear them? Racing boots are massively protective, but also massive and expensive. My ex wears BMW All-Around boots - mid high cut, fits under jeans, waterproof and reasonably protective. Comfortable walking, too.

The BMW All-Around is a great boot for the money. They area also comfortable enough to wear while walking around town. They cost a hell of a lot less than any other BMW boot and I'm not sure why that is. I was very happy with mine. I wore a hole in the sole and just replaced them with Santiagos which offer a lot better protection but at the expense of walking comfort.

[Gruesome]

For the longest time bike boots didn't have any reinforcements or protectors, except for doubled leather in some spots (heels, shifter, sometimes toe cap). So, if you really don't want modern motorbike-specific boots, at least get some old style sturdy riding boots. I think they should be taller than eight inches, I'd say at least ten or better twelve. (The height and the laces rule out hiking boots. With hiking boots still being better than sneakers.) While you don't get the current standard in impact protection, you at least get the abrasion protection.

To add to the collection of gruesome anecdotes: many years ago I hit a tree while off-roading at low speed in the forest, and the impact split the heel seam, and pushed my foot into the open. Amazingly nothing was broken, and I was able to make it home. Motocross boots would have been better.

[Reino]

Here is an interesting link.

http://twostrokemotocross.com/2012/1...mmon-injuries/

[Hawk62cj5]

I'm a new rider and I wouldn't think about riding with out boots .I don 't have riding boots so I wear my Rocky ranger work boots that have saved my ankles twice from harm.a good pair of riding boots are on my short list.

[Reino]

Good to hear you have common sense

[BigKnobby]

Your hands, ankles and feet are the most complex and fragile skeletal structures on your body. Physics takes over at a fairly early point and you won't have any control if your arms or legs start flailing in an accident or even a getoff.

Buy some boots. Your safety and physical well being are worth it.

[Reino]

In the minor accidents i have been involved in, like the bike sliding out from under me on the motocross tracks. If i was not wearing my boots or my motocross specific pants etc. i would have some major injuries.

[DevilsAdvocate]

I dunno if the OP is still around. But I figured I'd chime in none the less.

I personally have been fortunate enough to not have any catastrophic get-offs on the road or off. But I have dropped my bike a couple times and got caught under it going slow, and even with boots on you still end up a bit sore.

The point I wanted to make though is if you're considering the "fashion" aspect of riding gear, I know in the US there's a saying, "Everyone is sexy wearing a helmet." Granted this specifically states helmet, but I've never noticed it not to include other gear as well. I realize in other countries riding a motorcycle is far more common that in the US, but that still doesn't mean you can't make a social statement while protecting yourself as well. You've made it to the Advrider page, so clearly you view riding as something more than just basic transportation, so why not make the statement "I ride, and I'm serious about it" by dressing like it?

Plus as others have pointed out, there are plenty of reinforced "normal" looking boots that will do the job of protecting your feet and ankles and still look good doing it.

[Laconic]

Here's my wifes ankle after a very low speed fall we had two weeks ago. She was wearing boots at the time.

[Reino]

This is one of those eye opener threads !

[lovias]

Well OP, guess I'll dchime in with my 2 c's. Broke my right ankle in a idiotic reverese side spin at about 2 miles per hour. Scare hell out of wifey who was standibg near by. Point is my work boots helped greatly.

Have hard toes, no steel toes, becuase they are cold inwinter.

Don't wear bike specific boots 'cause can't find any that fit, damn it.

But goinbg to look into this BMW thing, thanks you all for that input.

Guestimate that 87.34.12 percent of the riders around here, eastern Nebraska, wear soft shoes or flipies.
We are very intelligent inthis area. No?