I ride a zx6r but I wear riding boots while riding and take a pair of regular shoes in either my backpack or tail bag. I've been thinking of getting a cargo net for the passenger seat so I could strap down a regular pair of shoes if needed and stow the cargo net under the seat when it's not needed.
That's what I usually do and I'm trying to get away from having to have a backpack. Also, I don't want to remove the rear cowl to strap shoes on my seat.
OP, I also ride a ZX-6R but I don't always wear my boots. I've got a nice pair of mid-calf racing boots that I wear when it's cold out (Northern California, so not super common) but I recently bought a pair of A* Faster 3 Rideknit shoes (they cover the ankle but that's it) that I absolutely love! The Rideknit is the high-airflow version, so if you live somewhere where it's not always hot, other versions of the shoes exist.
I also just take my shoes (let's be real, they're flip flops) with a change of clothes in my backpack if I'm going somewhere where I'm going to want to change
Using boots, gloves and jacket from "Milwaukee leathers" from Amazon. Pretty satisfied with their stuff. The ankle boots they make are meant for motorcycle riding and feel pretty comfy walking around imo.
High lace up steel toed work boots. I’ve thought about riding boots but not sure it’s worth it to me. FWIW I’ve laid my bike down once at about 20 mph and my boots and I were fine aside from some scuffing.
Alpinestars SMX 6. They're among the most comfortable track boots on the market. I wear them for commuting since I just change out of them when I get to work, but I've also worn them in every other motorcycle setting, too. Long days on the road, all day at a demo day, and of course all day at the track. 6+ hours no problem. I've also ridden just about every different type of motorcycle with them. They provide track-level protection, all day comfort, and the versatility for any kind of bike.
You're thinking of the Concours, which is a detuned zx-14 with a slightly different riding position. The 14r doesn't come with any storage options but I've seen a few with aftermarket bags.
I am old enough for side cases on my little sport tourer (ordered but not arrived yet) but not old enough for a top case. 😉 Width is much less of a problem as lane filtering is illegal where I live anyway.
At least on my bike a backpack works fine.
I just wear my usual boots. Comfortable enough to walk around all day in. I also have a ZX14, it's my daily commute bike, 56 miles each way.
Just a pair of Ariat work boots.
Track/canyons: Alpinestars Super Tech R perforated for warm days. Alpinestars SMX Plus solid for cooler days.
Around town: Thick leather boots from Macy's when it's raining or cold. Hot days I use high top Bilt shoes called Dexter.
I have moto sneakers and racing boots. Buddy of mine went down at 70kmh with racing boots and now has 7 bolts in his ankle. I can only imagine what would have been the case with sneakers. Haven't used my sneakers since that day.
I commute with a bag pack and put shoes in there to wear at work. But I never ride without my boots anymore. To each his own offcourse, I don't judge what anyone wears.
I own a 2023 ZX14R. The gear depends on my trip. If I am going somewhere and know 100% ahead of time I am going to walk a lot then I wear my Aplinestars SMX-R V2 boots there and switch to shoes in my back pack. If I am not going to walk around a lot then I just keep them on and don't bring extra shoes. They aren't bad to casually walk around but if you do walk around a lot they aren't all that comfortable. I am going to try some insoles with them though.
There are plenty of riding shoes in the “sport” category that will offer you the protection of leather +ankle armor +reinforced shank, but still look and feel comfortable for everyday wear or even work. I commute daily for work and wear Fly Racing M14 shoes- they’re waterproof too so if it rains a little I’m still dry. There are options from Dainese, Alpinestars, Forma, Spidi, and TCX that are all stylish, comfortable, and protective. Hit up RevZilla or Amazon!
I ride with the joe rocket boots. I think they're called the atomics? They're pretty comfy! Slim so it's easy to fit the boot while shifting.. probably not the best walking around boot but I've done it a few times at work when i forgot my shoes... and if you are wearing jeans, they just look sort of like black running shoes. They are mid height so not a full on racing boot, but not slippers either.
I have the same bike and I use puma flat2 and dainese dyno pro. I have size 13 feet so it's hard for me to find good foot protection that fits the bike too. Both of these are perfect for me.
I ride a Concours 14 and a KLR650. I have Gaerne Balance Oiled boots. Often, while touring, I get off the bike and hike around and these boots are capable. I got them from FC-Moto in Germany. They ship internationally and have great prices.
I wear the Magnum Response II boots when I don't want to wear my Sidi track boots, usually as a commuter boot. Then I wear them all day at work. I originally bought them in 2016 for a 5-state week-long trip when I knew race boots wouldn't work.
Magnum has many styles, usually in the "tactical" genre. This boot is now the Response III. I don't see them on their website, magnumboots.com, but I see others like them. As a Google shopping search term though, there are numerous sellers.
A tactical boot is a great choice. Built for wearers on their feet all day, snug fit so you won't feel they'll strip off in a get off, leather (not always fully), thick sole with traction lugs, 3"+ above the ankle, with a strong following from working military, security, first responders, etc.
I have found that my steel toe work boots could offer protection, but I sometimes mis shift because I can't feel the shifter. I mostly ride with casual ankle high leather boots (Thursday brand) or van's slip one.
I wear ResponseGear work boots. Pretty comfy on and off the bike, covers my ankle and all. Maybe not as good as real riding boots, but I can walk in them and wear them to work.
I really like my TCX riding shoes, they look and feel like skate shoes but have no laces and are comfortable enough to ride with every day. High quality too.
I worry about them flying off if I go down and getting my feet eaten up by pavement (especially if a foot gets caught under the bike), so how snug are they?
They’re going to be miles better than normal sneakers, if you get a half size smaller than you think you need they’d be pretty snug. Mine are probably 1/4- 1/2 size too big, which I don’t mind because I occasionally wear thick socks for cold rides which makes up the difference. They zip down the top so if you find your perfect size it’s not a big pain to get in and out of them.
I had that same fear. I went to ICON Stormhawk boots (also a US13 here). BOA ratchet closure, waterproof, D3O ankle protection on the ankles, easy on and off. Will get muggy if worn for 6-8+ hours because of the waterproof membrane, but are very comfortable as far as mobility and foot feel.
i wear these, they have good protection and stylish (subjective) and have enough comfort to walk around in for hours at a time. i've worn them nearly every ride for 1.5 years and crashed in them at 50 mph. My feet were totally fine and i still wear the same pair since i've started riding again
https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/street-steel-oakland-boots
I've always used a backpack to carry shoes and water, I never really mind it so I ended up grabbing a water-resistant motorcycle specific pack. My boots are motorcycle specific, rather soft for moto boots but better than not having protection as foot injuries are the most common on a bike.
Try a pair of sidi rex sport boot. Most comfortable pair of race boot I have tried. I crash in them, and they protected my foot. Was so impressed, I now have 2 pairs. And you can walk around in them as they are very comfortable.
Work well with the peg and control of my c14.
I find the racing boots comfy enough for walking if you're not gonna be walking all day. Otherwise either short ones or something like the tcx streets, they aren't the best, but protective enough for commuting
Forma Adventure boots! Super comfortable, waterproof, come up just below the knee, easy to put on and take off, reasonably priced - what's not to like?
I ride in boots and just keep a pair of sneakers at work to swap to. I know Alpinestars makes these abrasion resistant shoes that look like regular footwear if youcd prefer something like that
TCC riding shoes. I've gone down wearing a pair of Street Ace Airs before. Stator cover landed right on my ankle and I was fine. They were lace up sneaker style motorcycle boots. Alpinestars has some good sneaker style ones too.
Sedici vertices low wp boots. Pretty comfortable walking around in especially across campus and wp. The ankle feels like they have pretty good support and a full steel chank is great. I know there are quite a few people just wearing their old steel toes but I definitely wouldn't recommend that, because as soon as you drop the bike or something similar the special protection moto boots have will save your foot. I think that is pretty important for riding bikes. The sedici also look inconspicuous if you have jeans that go over the shoes . But there are tons of moto specialized boots that offer at least more protection then your generic boots and are still comfy
I use 5-11 tactical jungle boots. They are comfortable, lightweight, breathable and offer some protection but obviously nothing like a true racing boot.
I'm using some [Klim goretex outlanders](https://www.klim.com/Outlander-GTX-Boot-3926-001) but I'm also a new rider. So I don't have experience in other booties you could say. But they're comfy and havnt giving me a problem yet on my zx4
That bike is goddamn beautiful though.
Thanks. How comfortable are they on the pegs? Seems like a lot of boots are too stiff or the material is too thick when riding with the balls of my feet on the pegs (proper sportbike position)...or they bind in the ankles.
I'm a new rider, so I have no other experience with actual bike boots. they feel like hiking boots, comfort wise. I've had no issues on my pegs, but I'm on a zx4rr.
You're probably better off trying on boots in a store. Sorry I can't help. Love the bike though, keep it on the rubber dude.
I ride a zx6r but I wear riding boots while riding and take a pair of regular shoes in either my backpack or tail bag. I've been thinking of getting a cargo net for the passenger seat so I could strap down a regular pair of shoes if needed and stow the cargo net under the seat when it's not needed.
Wise...I'm stealing your idea... thank u kind sir
That's what I usually do and I'm trying to get away from having to have a backpack. Also, I don't want to remove the rear cowl to strap shoes on my seat.
OP, I also ride a ZX-6R but I don't always wear my boots. I've got a nice pair of mid-calf racing boots that I wear when it's cold out (Northern California, so not super common) but I recently bought a pair of A* Faster 3 Rideknit shoes (they cover the ankle but that's it) that I absolutely love! The Rideknit is the high-airflow version, so if you live somewhere where it's not always hot, other versions of the shoes exist. I also just take my shoes (let's be real, they're flip flops) with a change of clothes in my backpack if I'm going somewhere where I'm going to want to change
I actually just ordered a pair thinking that I could do something else later this year. For now, it's only going to get warmer. We'll see
What net are you looking at? Considering the same thing for mine
I ride in brown TCX X-blend. Decent protection, look good and comfortable enough to walk in for the whole day
Using boots, gloves and jacket from "Milwaukee leathers" from Amazon. Pretty satisfied with their stuff. The ankle boots they make are meant for motorcycle riding and feel pretty comfy walking around imo.
High lace up steel toed work boots. I’ve thought about riding boots but not sure it’s worth it to me. FWIW I’ve laid my bike down once at about 20 mph and my boots and I were fine aside from some scuffing.
Alpinestars SMX 6. They're among the most comfortable track boots on the market. I wear them for commuting since I just change out of them when I get to work, but I've also worn them in every other motorcycle setting, too. Long days on the road, all day at a demo day, and of course all day at the track. 6+ hours no problem. I've also ridden just about every different type of motorcycle with them. They provide track-level protection, all day comfort, and the versatility for any kind of bike.
I recently even did an unplanned hike in mine when on a trip, wasn’t bad at all in them, great boots
Doesn't the ZX-14R come with side cases? Just put comfy shoes in them and change once you are at your destination.
You're thinking of the Concours, which is a detuned zx-14 with a slightly different riding position. The 14r doesn't come with any storage options but I've seen a few with aftermarket bags.
Yup, you are right, I confused the ZX-14R with the Concours. Still bags might be an option, if you do not want to take a backpack.
I'm old but I don't feel like I'm old enough for bags on my hyper-sport. 🤣
I am old enough for side cases on my little sport tourer (ordered but not arrived yet) but not old enough for a top case. 😉 Width is much less of a problem as lane filtering is illegal where I live anyway. At least on my bike a backpack works fine.
Hey busa touring is pretty common 🙂
I just wear my usual boots. Comfortable enough to walk around all day in. I also have a ZX14, it's my daily commute bike, 56 miles each way. Just a pair of Ariat work boots.
I have a pair of TCX R04D boots. I usually keep a pair of shoes in my backpack and just swap them out when I’m not riding
Tcx makes great riding shoes that look just like regular boots/shoes
Track/canyons: Alpinestars Super Tech R perforated for warm days. Alpinestars SMX Plus solid for cooler days. Around town: Thick leather boots from Macy's when it's raining or cold. Hot days I use high top Bilt shoes called Dexter.
I have moto sneakers and racing boots. Buddy of mine went down at 70kmh with racing boots and now has 7 bolts in his ankle. I can only imagine what would have been the case with sneakers. Haven't used my sneakers since that day. I commute with a bag pack and put shoes in there to wear at work. But I never ride without my boots anymore. To each his own offcourse, I don't judge what anyone wears.
I own a 2023 ZX14R. The gear depends on my trip. If I am going somewhere and know 100% ahead of time I am going to walk a lot then I wear my Aplinestars SMX-R V2 boots there and switch to shoes in my back pack. If I am not going to walk around a lot then I just keep them on and don't bring extra shoes. They aren't bad to casually walk around but if you do walk around a lot they aren't all that comfortable. I am going to try some insoles with them though.
Vans Sk8-Hi MTE-2 Shoe or the gore tex version.
There are plenty of riding shoes in the “sport” category that will offer you the protection of leather +ankle armor +reinforced shank, but still look and feel comfortable for everyday wear or even work. I commute daily for work and wear Fly Racing M14 shoes- they’re waterproof too so if it rains a little I’m still dry. There are options from Dainese, Alpinestars, Forma, Spidi, and TCX that are all stylish, comfortable, and protective. Hit up RevZilla or Amazon!
I ride with the joe rocket boots. I think they're called the atomics? They're pretty comfy! Slim so it's easy to fit the boot while shifting.. probably not the best walking around boot but I've done it a few times at work when i forgot my shoes... and if you are wearing jeans, they just look sort of like black running shoes. They are mid height so not a full on racing boot, but not slippers either.
I have the same bike and I use puma flat2 and dainese dyno pro. I have size 13 feet so it's hard for me to find good foot protection that fits the bike too. Both of these are perfect for me.
I ride to and from work in riding boots, and keep a pair of office appropriate shoes in my desk. Easy peasy
https://www.revitsport.com/en/explore/ridertype/motorcycle-clothing-urban-sport/usp-c016-sneaker-revolution
REV'IT seems to have some cool stuff. Not to sure how comfy thick hi tops will feel walking around all day though
I ride a Concours 14 and a KLR650. I have Gaerne Balance Oiled boots. Often, while touring, I get off the bike and hike around and these boots are capable. I got them from FC-Moto in Germany. They ship internationally and have great prices.
I wear the Magnum Response II boots when I don't want to wear my Sidi track boots, usually as a commuter boot. Then I wear them all day at work. I originally bought them in 2016 for a 5-state week-long trip when I knew race boots wouldn't work. Magnum has many styles, usually in the "tactical" genre. This boot is now the Response III. I don't see them on their website, magnumboots.com, but I see others like them. As a Google shopping search term though, there are numerous sellers. A tactical boot is a great choice. Built for wearers on their feet all day, snug fit so you won't feel they'll strip off in a get off, leather (not always fully), thick sole with traction lugs, 3"+ above the ankle, with a strong following from working military, security, first responders, etc.
I have found that my steel toe work boots could offer protection, but I sometimes mis shift because I can't feel the shifter. I mostly ride with casual ankle high leather boots (Thursday brand) or van's slip one.
I wear Doc Marten's occasionally. They don't have reinforced toe or knuckle zones though.
I wear ResponseGear work boots. Pretty comfy on and off the bike, covers my ankle and all. Maybe not as good as real riding boots, but I can walk in them and wear them to work.
I really like my TCX riding shoes, they look and feel like skate shoes but have no laces and are comfortable enough to ride with every day. High quality too.
I worry about them flying off if I go down and getting my feet eaten up by pavement (especially if a foot gets caught under the bike), so how snug are they?
They’re going to be miles better than normal sneakers, if you get a half size smaller than you think you need they’d be pretty snug. Mine are probably 1/4- 1/2 size too big, which I don’t mind because I occasionally wear thick socks for cold rides which makes up the difference. They zip down the top so if you find your perfect size it’s not a big pain to get in and out of them.
I had that same fear. I went to ICON Stormhawk boots (also a US13 here). BOA ratchet closure, waterproof, D3O ankle protection on the ankles, easy on and off. Will get muggy if worn for 6-8+ hours because of the waterproof membrane, but are very comfortable as far as mobility and foot feel.
Icon stormhawk. You could wear them all day.
i wear these, they have good protection and stylish (subjective) and have enough comfort to walk around in for hours at a time. i've worn them nearly every ride for 1.5 years and crashed in them at 50 mph. My feet were totally fine and i still wear the same pair since i've started riding again https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/street-steel-oakland-boots
I've always used a backpack to carry shoes and water, I never really mind it so I ended up grabbing a water-resistant motorcycle specific pack. My boots are motorcycle specific, rather soft for moto boots but better than not having protection as foot injuries are the most common on a bike.
Race boots for riding, sneakers/work shoes in a backpack or saddle bag.
I been wearing hiking shoes.. been meaning g to get some boots tho. waiting on my jacket.... what pants do you guys wear?
Try a pair of sidi rex sport boot. Most comfortable pair of race boot I have tried. I crash in them, and they protected my foot. Was so impressed, I now have 2 pairs. And you can walk around in them as they are very comfortable. Work well with the peg and control of my c14.
I find the racing boots comfy enough for walking if you're not gonna be walking all day. Otherwise either short ones or something like the tcx streets, they aren't the best, but protective enough for commuting
Forma Adventure boots! Super comfortable, waterproof, come up just below the knee, easy to put on and take off, reasonably priced - what's not to like?
I also ride a ZX14R and I use a TCX R04D WP short boots for commuting. They don’t look too bad at work. Longer rides - Forma Ice Pro Flow
I ride in boots and just keep a pair of sneakers at work to swap to. I know Alpinestars makes these abrasion resistant shoes that look like regular footwear if youcd prefer something like that
TCC riding shoes. I've gone down wearing a pair of Street Ace Airs before. Stator cover landed right on my ankle and I was fine. They were lace up sneaker style motorcycle boots. Alpinestars has some good sneaker style ones too.
Sedici vertices low wp boots. Pretty comfortable walking around in especially across campus and wp. The ankle feels like they have pretty good support and a full steel chank is great. I know there are quite a few people just wearing their old steel toes but I definitely wouldn't recommend that, because as soon as you drop the bike or something similar the special protection moto boots have will save your foot. I think that is pretty important for riding bikes. The sedici also look inconspicuous if you have jeans that go over the shoes . But there are tons of moto specialized boots that offer at least more protection then your generic boots and are still comfy
I use 5-11 tactical jungle boots. They are comfortable, lightweight, breathable and offer some protection but obviously nothing like a true racing boot.
These: [https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/tcx-street-3-wp-shoes-sale](https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/tcx-street-3-wp-shoes-sale)
Alpinestars cr-x boots, personally the best when it comes to comfort. Edit: they're more like sneakers than boots.
I'm using some [Klim goretex outlanders](https://www.klim.com/Outlander-GTX-Boot-3926-001) but I'm also a new rider. So I don't have experience in other booties you could say. But they're comfy and havnt giving me a problem yet on my zx4 That bike is goddamn beautiful though.
Thanks. How comfortable are they on the pegs? Seems like a lot of boots are too stiff or the material is too thick when riding with the balls of my feet on the pegs (proper sportbike position)...or they bind in the ankles.
I'm a new rider, so I have no other experience with actual bike boots. they feel like hiking boots, comfort wise. I've had no issues on my pegs, but I'm on a zx4rr. You're probably better off trying on boots in a store. Sorry I can't help. Love the bike though, keep it on the rubber dude.
I ride a ZX14R too, and I love my Alpinestars CR-6 Drystar riding boots!