K1200LT Foot Peg Changes -- Rider & Passenger

[hschisler]

Some follow-up questions to a thread posted last week on this topic.

I'm looking to increase my comfort and my wife's on the LT. For me, one of the things I want to do is lower my foot pegs; for my wife, this means raising hers. I'm looking at Suburban Machinery's and Ilium Works' products for rider and passenger. My questions:

Rider: If I install Suburban's "footpeg relocation kit" ($140), won't this affect the dynamics/usage of the shift lever and the foot brake? (i.e., moving the feet forward and down 1.75" has got to make working with the foot controls different... right?) Some have suggested installing Ilium Work's brake lever and shift extension. Any experience with these products?

Passenger: BMW makes a passenger footboard with 50mm of adjustability (approx. 2" IIRC), for $495. Ilium Works has a passenger riser with 2" - 4.75" of adjustability above stock when used with the stock passenger foot pegs, for $168. When combined with their passenger footboards you get 1/2" - 3.25" of adjustability above stock; this combo is still almost $100 less than BMW's. Any experience with either/both of these products?

Installation of these is so simple even I can do it, but I'm looking for first-hand experience, advice, tips, etc.

TIA.

[Chick]

Howard:


I installed the driver's lowering pegs as soon as I could after buying the LT. IMHO it is MUCH more comfortable and I did not have any problems getting used to the "new" location of the brake and shift levers.

Hope this helps

[hschisler]

... I did not have any problems getting used to the "new" location of the brake and shift levers. Hope this helps
It does, thanks.

I'm pleasantly surprised by your answer. My thinking with this question is: If the left foot is moved forward and down 1.75", won't that affect how your toe fits under the shifter? Maybe it's a function of the boots you wear...

[Big_E]

You can slide your foot a little forward & let the shifter hit higher on your foot. Also it's very easy to adjust the shift linkage to lower the lever.

[hschisler]

You can slide your foot a little forward & let the shifter hit higher on your foot. Also it's very easy to adjust the shift linkage to lower the lever.
Good to know, thanks.

Sounds like I'll order the foot peg lowering kit from Suburban, give it a try (might take until Spring, at the rate we are going in Ohio recently), and only then order the Ilium Works pieces if neceesary.

Thanks.

[astuber]

I too have the suburban machinery pegs. I found that the shift lever worked OK after installing the lower pegs. I did adjust the brake lever because it felt too high. Only took a few minutes to make the adjustment. I had about 15K on the bike before installing the lower pegs and it took a little while to adjust to them though I would trade them now.

My 2 cents.

[astuber]

I should have said I WOULDN'T trade them now.

[Sharkey]

I chose the BMW boards be cause they adjust with a lever simular to a quick release axle on a bicycle instead of an allen wrench because my wife likes them adjusted differently when we do long rides.

[Chick]

If the left foot is moved forward and down 1.75", won't that affect how your toe fits under the shifter? Maybe it's a function of the boots you wear...

Probably a funtion of my boots. :) I did not get used to the original position because it was so uncomfortable for me. The new lower setting just felt better with no other adjustment needed.

God bless:

[hschisler]

Probably a funtion of my boots. :) I did not get used to the original position because it was so uncomfortable for me. The new lower setting just felt better with no other adjustment needed. God bless:
Thanks.

You aren't "too far" (in long-distance touring terms) from me. Looks like you are about 2 hours west of Detroit. Next spring if/when I ever take a "real" trip with my LT, my wife and will have to return to the Cabela's store in Dundee, MI. That's about 3h 15m from my place SE of Columbus. Maybe we'll swing by and say "hi". We share some things in common: NRA Life Members, LT owners, and saved by grace.

[Chick]

Hey Howard:


Yep, we are about two hours from Detroit. West and a little south. Give me a call, would love to get together and talk or ride.

Another LTer just a short distance from us.

God bless and Merry Christmas.

[hschisler]

I had the LT at my dealer today for Motolights installation. While there, I had them also install Suburban Machinery's footpeg lowering kit. Just back from the one-hour ride home; here are my $.02 on this product.

I felt the difference immediately -- a more relaxed knee angle. I'll like it even more after I (a) adjust the brake pedal as some have done, and/or (2) install Ilium's extension. My right foot had significant problems finding the brake pedal after the footpegs were moved; they move the foot outboard an inch or more, requiring you to point your toe unnaturally to the left to get back to the brake pedal. Perhaps this sensation will improve over time; I was actually concerned that I wasn't able to get to the brake easily.

I'd do it again; nice product and it accomplishes what I wanted.

[pozo_izquierdo]

I had the LT at my dealer today for Motolights installation. While there, I had them also install Suburban Machinery's footpeg lowering kit. Just back from the one-hour ride home; here are my $.02 on this product.

I felt the difference immediately -- a more relaxed knee angle. I'll like it even more after I (a) adjust the brake pedal as some have done, and/or (2) install Ilium's extension. My right foot had significant problems finding the brake pedal after the footpegs were moved; they move the foot outboard an inch or more, requiring you to point your toe unnaturally to the left to get back to the brake pedal. Perhaps this sensation will improve over time; I was actually concerned that I wasn't able to get to the brake easily.

I'd do it again; nice product and it accomplishes what I wanted.

Hi Howard,
the footpeg lowering kit really makes a difference, doesn't it? I found that the shifter position fitted better with the lowering kit than before.
Regarding the brake pedal, it really went to a harder to reach position, but for me it does not matter as the only time I use it is in hill starts anyway...

Regards

[hschisler]

Hi Howard,
the footpeg lowering kit really makes a difference, doesn't it? I found that the shifter position fitted better with the lowering kit than before.
Regarding the brake pedal, it really went to a harder to reach position, but for me it does not matter as the only time I use it is in hill starts anyway...Yes, it makes a big difference and I'm very glad I have it now. But for me the brake pedal is a real and significant problem at this point. I need to get the brake pedal extension from Ilium; it's only $20, I believe.

[walilisseu]

My passengers have enjoyed the BMW boards, from my wife (5'4") to my 'youngest' son (6'6"), both are comfortable ... of course, haven't tried any other board with greater adjustment(s).

[KayGee]

Yes, it makes a big difference and I'm very glad I have it now. But for me the brake pedal is a real and significant problem at this point. I need to get the brake pedal extension from Ilium; it's only $20, I believe.

After I installed the Illum running boards, I could not reach the rear brake pedal and had a very hard time shifting (and I wear size 14). Once I installed the shift extension ($20)
http://www.iliumworks.com/photos/shift_extension_215.jpg
and the extended brake pedal ($90)
http://www.iliumworks.com/photos/Brake%20Lever1_215.jpgall is right with the world again. Now if I could only get rid of the squeel :(

[hschisler]

After I installed the Illum running boards, I could not reach the rear brake pedal and had a very hard time shifting (and I wear size 14). Once I installed the shift extension ($20)
http://www.iliumworks.com/photos/shift_extension_215.jpg
and the extended brake pedal ($90)
http://www.iliumworks.com/photos/Brake%20Lever1_215.jpgall is right with the world again. Now if I could only get rid of the squeel :(That's good info, thanks. I still have the stock BMW footpegs, but they have the Suburban Machinery relocator kit installed. I'd like to install both of these items, above. Questions for you:

Is the shift extension simpler a longer knurled/machined piece of metal than stock? It just brings the shifter farther to the left, correct?

Same thing with the brake extension -- does it push it farther forward and to the right?

[KayGee]

Questions for you:

Is the shift extension simpler a longer knurled/machined piece of metal than stock? It just brings the shifter farther to the left, correct?

Same thing with the brake extension -- does it push it farther forward and to the right?

Yes and Yes. The shifter extension just slips over the OEM shifter and the brake extension replaces the OEM.

[hschisler]

Yes and Yes. The shifter extension just slips over the OEM shifter and the brake extension replaces the OEM.Perfect. Looks like my next 2 purchases. Thanks.

[george_falcon]

Some follow-up questions to a thread posted last week on this topic.

I'm looking to increase my comfort and my wife's on the LT. For me, one of the things I want to do is lower my foot pegs; for my wife, this means raising hers. I'm looking at Suburban Machinery's and Ilium Works' products for rider and passenger. My questions:

Rider: If I install Suburban's "footpeg relocation kit" ($140), won't this affect the dynamics/usage of the shift lever and the foot brake? (i.e., moving the feet forward and down 1.75" has got to make working with the foot controls different... right?) Some have suggested installing Ilium Work's brake lever and shift extension. Any experience with these products?

Passenger: BMW makes a passenger footboard with 50mm of adjustability (approx. 2" IIRC), for $495. Ilium Works has a passenger riser with 2" - 4.75" of adjustability above stock when used with the stock passenger foot pegs, for $168. When combined with their passenger footboards you get 1/2" - 3.25" of adjustability above stock; this combo is still almost $100 less than BMW's. Any experience with either/both of these products?

Installation of these is so simple even I can do it, but I'm looking for first-hand experience, advice, tips, etc.

TIA.
I did the BMW stock passenger floorboards shortly after purchase of my 2005 gold K1200LT (my third K1200LT), and Lona's happy with them.

I recently had installed the Suburban Machinery operator footpeg relocation kit, and find that it relieves some of the tightness for me (I'm 52) in the angles of my hips and knees, which is Good. But (not so good) the kit also pushes the pegs away from the bike slightly, which makes mounting the bike a little harder for me. I also found that I was disconnecting the cruise control inadvertently because of the new relative position of the footpeg and right foot brake. This could have had dramatic results in some situations, for other riders. I have adjusted to the brake side, but the shifter side I still have problems with... so I'm going to try the Ilium Works operator floorboards next.

[george_falcon]

Some follow-up questions to a thread posted last week on this topic.

I'm looking to increase my comfort and my wife's on the LT. For me, one of the things I want to do is lower my foot pegs; for my wife, this means raising hers. I'm looking at Suburban Machinery's and Ilium Works' products for rider and passenger. My questions:

Rider: If I install Suburban's "footpeg relocation kit" ($140), won't this affect the dynamics/usage of the shift lever and the foot brake? (i.e., moving the feet forward and down 1.75" has got to make working with the foot controls different... right?) Some have suggested installing Ilium Work's brake lever and shift extension. Any experience with these products?

Passenger: BMW makes a passenger footboard with 50mm of adjustability (approx. 2" IIRC), for $495. Ilium Works has a passenger riser with 2" - 4.75" of adjustability above stock when used with the stock passenger foot pegs, for $168. When combined with their passenger footboards you get 1/2" - 3.25" of adjustability above stock; this combo is still almost $100 less than BMW's. Any experience with either/both of these products?

Installation of these is so simple even I can do it, but I'm looking for first-hand experience, advice, tips, etc.

TIA.
I did the BMW stock passenger floorboards shortly after purchase of my 2005 gold K1200LT (my third K1200LT), and Lona's happy with them.

I recently had installed the Suburban Machinery operator footpeg relocation kit, and find that it relieves some of the tightness for me (I'm 52) in the angles of my hips and knees, which is Good. But (not so good) the kit also pushes the pegs away from the bike slightly, which makes mounting the bike a little harder for me. I also found that I was disconnecting the cruise control inadvertently because of the new relative position of the footpeg and right foot brake. This could have had dramatic results in some situations, for other riders. I have adjusted to the brake side, but the shifter side I still have problems with... so I'm going to try the Ilium Works operator floorboards next.