Thinking about floorboards

[ridgeman06]

Hi to the group.
I don't post often, but have been a member since 1998 when I bought my first Valkyrie.
I have a 98 tourer now, which I love very much. As I age somewhat gracefully, I am getting more pains than I use to. Some days, I get leg and hip area pains that really can be uncomfortable at times. I believe that if I could move my feet forward some, it would feel better. I have a set of Mick-o-Pegs that are terrific, but only when you can use them. I also have the peg lowering kit installed.
Just how much more movement would floorboards allow? I know that I probably couldn't use the MIcks with them, but if the floorboards helped, I wouldn't need them anyway. How much cornering would I lose with boards? What brands do you guys recommend? Is this even a viable solution to my problem?
The only other alternative seems to be to switch to a v-twin style bike, which is something that I can consider someday, but not now with two kids in college.
When I see these v-twin riders with their legs forward, I get jealous because they do look more comfortable than I feel.
Howsa about some advice here? Thanks, Eric

[junior]

i have the cobra clasic boards they give you more room to move than the pegs and they are a direct fit, with some dajustment to the shift lever and brake pedel

[Tundra]

Try this link from HDL, should give you options. I use the MC Driver boards with heal toe shifter. I am a size 12 and wear roper boots, they fit between the two shift pegs. If you use other boards as many do, they some times would go for "Chets" kickshifter.
http://www.hondadirectlineofshadyside.com/stores/byProduct.asp?prd=Pegs+%26+Floorboards&sub=Floorboards&str=2&ID=181139303  Keep in mind, when you are stopped straddling the bike with both feet planted, you will now have a wider stance. If you have a shorter inseam this might take some getting used to.

I prefer to be able to move my feet in differant positions, as most of my rides are on the longer side. They fold up real easy if your a peg dragger and the spring will pull them back into place after you drag them. Works for me

[hubcapsc]

My buddy Dan's Valkyrie had Cobra floorboards on it when he got it. He scraped in every
turn when following me through the mountains. Having scraping problems when following me
is... not good  ... he ditched the floorboards ASAP.

-Mike

[dreamaker]

I'm an old buzzard and I had comfort issues myself.  So I had to figure out my long term comfort and safety zone.  For myself it seemed focused on my lower back, so I ended doing three things. I got an Ultimate seat, driver backrest and Cobra floorboards.  I noticed that after runs my legs and feet would ache with the foot pegs, after getting floorboard I had great improvement. Also I didn't want to be stretched out on a bike for two reasons. One- I noticed getting off the LazyBoy chair I would be stiff, were sitting in a good chair I wouldn't.  The Second I wanted to be near the controls in case of and issue on the road. Far as the seat naturally you don't want the butt to ache, but in addition with a little pressure to the lower back I did feel fatigued anymore. That is where the driver backrest helps. This help me allot.

Now far as statement about scraping the boards on turns you have to do one thing. Look at a CrotchRocket from the front and look at the Valk from the front and you will notice that the Valk is wider. So my point is SportBikes are designed to lean and Valks are not SportBikes so when you abuse them the board will scrape.

Dan

[ridgeman06]

I do have a Hartco seat with the drivers backrest, which helps.
I wonder how those Kury iso wing pegs would be. The ones that are wedge shaped. They are quite abit larger than the stock pegs are.

[woefman]

My buddy Dan's Valkyrie had Cobra floorboards on it when he got it. He scraped in every
turn when following me through the mountains. Having scraping problems when following me
is... not good  ... he ditched the floorboards ASAP.

-Mike

Ditto that

Mine coming off very soon 

they look cool , and all the cool kids are doing it , but I can't even turn an intersection without scraping.
Sad my GL1800 can sweep corners Faster and Lower then the Valk.

and mine don't have the lowering kit, Not sure how folks ride with Lowered Pegs.

[bentwrench]

I love scraping my boards in the turns.all you need is to drill and tap the outer bottom of the board for 6mm x 1.0  thread and screw the orig.peg feelers in the new boards.I didn't do on my first set of boards and i beveled them off at the edges till they were tearing up my jeans when i put my feet down
BW

[woefman]

The only other alternative seems to be to switch to a v-twin style bike, which is something that I can consider someday, but not now with two kids in college.
When I see these v-twin riders with their legs forward, I get jealous because they do look more comfortable than I feel.
Howsa about some advice here? Thanks, Eric

I would not do that a Thumper Pumper ?  WHY ? 

Anyhow try highway pegs , I have highway pegs on my GL1800 Goldwing and my Valk.

Truth be told I feel more comfortable on the Valk .

I suspect longer Hauls I'd rather be on the wing, however just putting my legs up on highway pegs

on the Valk beats the wing for leg room hands down.

Another thing maybe you need another seat. This can go along way and then add highway pegs.

[DeathWishBikerDude]

http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=4040

 

[Ricky-D]

I tend to agree with woefman  for different reasons.

I have tried floorboards, not on my bike, but I have ridden a friend's bike with floorboards and didn't like them!

Reason being that I could not get my feet off the floorboards fast enough for me.

If you're riding in urban settings mostly I think reaction time is critically more important due to traffic and conditions and type of riding.

Highways, floorboards would be nice - I don't do too much of that  anymore.  Less that 15k a year total.

Consider your ability to move your feet before deciding on floorboards.

I like floorboards on trikes.  Maybe that's what you should consider.

***

[dreamaker]

I agree the floorboards take a little getting use to but in the long run I think they are great. I also add a kickshift and that took real getting use to, but in a short time it paid off. I am also the type that likes to have my feet near the controls and not stretched out like a LazyBoy, specially around shopping centers. When I had pegs my legs felt like just went 300 miles, but with the floorboards its a different story, feet are flat and they felt normal. I think what it boils down to is we are all different and we have to figure out our comfort zone.



Dan

[ridgeman06]

Woefman,
I have Mick-o-Pegs on my Valkyrie, which are fine when I use them. I am mainly having troubles in the regular seating position, which is the straight up style as opposed to the v-twin forward position.
I had a GL1800 back in 03 for three years that I bought new. I put Micks on that as well. The Wing has the same upright seating position as my Valkyrie.
The flat six engines in my opinion simply restrict movement and are more confining than the skinny v-twins.
Take care, Eric

[Master Blaster]

Need footroom? try these with the Kickshifter.  Use Chets lowering kit to raise the Kickshift instead of lowering the boards.  They have drag pins and tilt up when dragging.