Dual Footrests

[FlyingSardar]

Hey Folks, I just got the GT version of the bike a couple weeks ago. Love it. Love it. Love it... especially after putting in the shift assist.

I've been lurking around the forum trying to see what folks are doing with the bike. Now I'm trying to personalize it and round off a bit of sharp the edges. Here's something that helped me.

Coming from a VROD I like the foot forward position of the controls but the legs get stiff on long hauls (typically do around 500-700 miles a day) in the same position. Given that there are places to mount mid controls, I wanted to put in pegs to give the legs a different position. Think mid mount highway pegs ??

I got a couple of cheap rear extension pegs for a FJR off ebay and a few spacers/screws from McMaster-Carr. I used the same mount points as the factory mid control plates used on the block. I had to widen the screw hole in the footrest extension plates I got to have the M10 and M8 bolts go thru. The plates and footrest can be rotated around to give different heights and forward back positions. The hole on the kickstand is a bit towards the rear and the lower so I moved the extension bar a bit at an angle.

Switching between the front and rears takes a bit of getting used to especially when wanting to change gears or using the rear brake. I instinctively stabbed at the non present controls at the mid position and it took some effort to remember to switch to fronts when needed. But the bike has enough of a powerband that you really don't need to change gears and the front brake alone can work in many cases. Also at high speed the wind pushed my shoe onto the exhaust ( see black spot on the right pic) while switching since I didn't have a guard to guide me.

I was afraid the right side would be too close to the exhaust and hot but that wasn't the case (other then during switching - see above). The footrests are not very wide so the entire shoe is not supported. I could get some larger pegs but I wanted something a bit discreet. By no means is this setup ideal in term of looks but it is a quick enough hack and the m-factor pegs blend in pretty well. Even if I have to unscrew this for normal city riding to look cool and put it back when I go for a longer ride.

Here's a parts list if anyone is interested..
Shinobi rear passenger foot pegs
93395A535 316 Stainless Steel Hex Drive Flat Head Screw, M8 x 1.25mm Thread, 80mm Long
Fine-Thread Alloy Steel Socket Head Screw, M10 x 1.25 mm Thread, 80 mm Long,
18-8 Stainless Steel Unthreaded Spacer, 16 mm OD, 50 mm Long, for M10 Screw Size
18-8 Stainless Steel Unthreaded Spacer, 3/4" OD, 2" Long, for 5/16" Screw Size
Note on the left side I use a socket cap in black cause I could not find a M10x1.25 mm flat head machine screw (M10 usually has a 1.5mm pitch)

 

[F6C]

The idea is good and it remains discreet. Good job

 

[EskimoPie]

I believe the reason pegs are on folding pivots is so that if you catch a foot on the ground in front of them, they fold and not snap your leg. No concern of that on your solution? I like the creativity though!

 

[boosted20v]

Glad I ran across this, I rode both an R and a GT this weekend and have settled on the R but thought about doing exactly what you did in the spot for the GT

 

[Louballs]

Thanks for the write up! I also came from a VRod and thought about something similar to you. Much appreciated.

 

[FlyingSardar]

I believe the reason pegs are on folding pivots is so that if you catch a foot on the ground in front of them, they fold and not snap your leg. No concern of that on your solution? I like the creativity though!

@EskimoPie that's a good observation. I think of the the folding (and the associated feelers) as the primary indicator for lean angle and preventing them catching in case of a lowside. In my case the factory footrests up front provide that sense point. The new mids are much smaller and provide way more clearance - well beyond the lip of the tires, so I'm not so concerned about that.

I haven't really thought of the folding helping with the leg in front of peg since I think that that would need to fold backwards (instead of upwards) to help but it is definitely worth testing out. Unfortunately , the forward pegs that I have on my R3GT or VROD are well ahead of the leg so I cant really test with that.

FWIW I tested out my Ducati 1098S with leg sticking out and the the pegs did fold. But I dont think that is too applicable since the pegs on the Duc are more of a rearset and waaay back and high and their shape is at an entirely different angle.

If someone with a R and mid factory pegs could perhaps do a test and shoot a video that would be absolutely fantastic as a learning experience.