Altberg boots don't fit the bike

[SteveH]

I just can't get on with wearing my Altbergs on the VStrom. Gear shifter adjusted but whichever way I got it just isn't right.
I've worn Altbergs for years and they were fine on the Tenere, various Tigers, TDM - but not the CBF1000.
Anyone else having the same issue? Anyone found a solution?

[nigel s]

I use Forma adventures and had this problem when I got my strom.I adjusted the lever up and it still didn't return to set sometimes because of the tall toe box of the forma's.Usualy between first and second,but.....now it's fine?
I put it down to the boots , which I wore on a previous bike wearing into the new bike sitting position.
There are longer gear levers available which alter the throw and may help.Or new boots I'm afraid.

[MartinW]

When I changed my boots I was having all sorts of problems messing up gear changes and I said I was going to go and reposition the lever.

The feedback on here was don't do that, you will eventually settle in to a new normal and everything will work well again.

It did too. I don't feel uncomfortable if my position has changed and I don't believe my boots deformed that quickly either, but everything feels OK now.

[nigel s]

steve H just so you don't get confused with martins post I didn't move the lever because of new boots on an old bike but because I was setting up a new bike ,very different things.

[Barbel Mick]

I've had my new Sidi Adventure a week now & just wearing them around the house  to make sure they are OK. Yesterday I went out to the garage to sit on the bike & try them.......I'm going to have the same problem!! I need to go for a ride before I start moving & adjusting things. 

[The Doctor 46]

I have Altberg boots and ride a V-Strom and have no problem. 

[Upt North]

I ride (badly) in Altbergs and TCX tours, no issues.....although the Altbergs are over 20 years old and real nice.
Upt.

[nigel s]

I have wiiiiiiiiide size 12 hoofs.I bloody hate having to buy new boots,I had a pair of Sidi Vertabre( squeek,squeek,squeek,the only boots I had to oil!!!) for 15 years and maybe 250,000 miles and wore them past the point of destruction.They eventualy gave up when the gear shift part wore through.Then when I went to try Sidis again they have changed the last they make them on and are too narrow for me now!!!!! argh. why?


Barbel Mick,as the old army trick says, pissing on them helps loosen the leather up? I know sidis are lorica but.........

Ho Hum

[The Doctor 46]

Nigel. Another old army trick, it takes a lot of pee to make a difference so have the platoon pee on them too. Better still, ware them in a hot bath then let them dry on you, like we used to do with our jeans in the 70's. 

[SteveH]

So I'm not the only one, perhaps the Strom's gear lever is just too delicate for my size 11 canoes. Perhaps I need a longer lever, in the meantime I'll just stick with my Dainese riding slippers!

[nigel s]

As Susan Boyle,I think , once said "it's not what it looks like it's what it does"

Or summit

Ho Hum

[Hugo Magnus]

Altbergs are great; change the bike

[SteveH]

Altbergs are great; change the bike

That almost makes sense 
These Altbergs have been with me for about 10 years now, perhaps I'll just semi-retire them for a while to an easier life of walking and scooter riding 
But I'm not changing the Strom yet, I've only just got it!

[Hugo Magnus]

I've done 40,000 miles on the 650 V-Strom and the same again on the Multistrada all with the Altberg boots I bought 10 years ago.
Other than wearing away the paint on the clutch housing they've been great.

[UK_Vstrom650]

I moved my gear linkage when I first bought my TXC and left it there since, but once I got used to them, I was able to ride my brother's Versys in its stock position without issue, and several Suzuki's and Yamaha's without issue.

You might just need to get used to them.

(I ought to try moving my gear linkage back, but then if it ain't broke... )

[SteveH]

Well I had another go and found a position that works. The lever is a long way up from what it was, but I'm now back in my Altbergs.
Had the previous owner lowered the lever? Are they all like that as standard (I can't judge that because we always photograph bikes from the other side). Is it something to do with the high seat?
Who knows. Who cares. I'm happy.

[nigel s]

Result!

[Barbel Mick]

I moved my gear lever up a spline to try the new Sidi boots, getting my foot/toes underneath was much easier but I had to lift my foot off the peg to change down! I put it back to where it was, had a 1900 mile to France/Normandy & back like that & I'm managing OK now.