Fantastic Floorboards for my LT

[BMW-DSO]

First, let me say that after riding for 31 years I have never before felt compelled to publicly praise a motorcycle vendor. That's not to say that I haven’t had dealings with good vendors in the past - I have. But never any as dedicated to customer service as Darius Kowalski.
http://www.dodk64.com/
Here is the short version: at 6'6" 275# the standard pegs just aren't comfortable. I tried drop down brackets - better but not perfect. A friend touted the floorboards he had on his Yamaha Roadliner so I thought maybe I should look into some floorboards. After many hours on the bmwlt web site I decided to give Darius a try. His service was professional and prompt! The first boards arrived in a few days and I gave them a try. They were his dropped down slightly forward model. I found only one problem with them. As a heavy, aggressive rider I thought the stationary (non-pivoting) boards might be problematic. I contacted Darius and he suggested I try the non-drop style since they do pivot. They would have been fine except my size 13/14 boots wouldn't fit under the shift lever and I didn't want to go to a heal / toe shifter design. Again, Darius came up with another suggestion. He offered to refund my money and let me try a slightly used set of Ilium Work's floorboards which he had lying around for comparison. I agreed. I barely had them out of the shipping box before I realized the difference in quality. In my opinion the Ilium Works couldn't even come close to the product Darius produces. I gave them a try anyway. They were the worst set of floorboards yet for my size. Quite frankly at this time I thought I was at a dead end and would have to settle for my pegs. One last try, as an engineer I sketched a few designs and asked Darius to take a look at them. In the mean time he had been doing some redesigning. Yesterday I received HIS new design. They are fantastic. They are lowered but at the same time pivot up for the more aggressive rider. Darius, thank you for your patience and professionalism.

[Chick]

Thanks for the great report, been thinking about floorboards.

Couple of questions/concerns: Do they get in your way when you put your feet down at a stop? Do you have any problems with the foot brake and/or shifter? How do the lowered floorboards compare with the lowered pegs for comfort?

Thanks.

[BMW-DSO]

The distance off the bike is about the same as the pegs so that isn't a problem. As far as the shifter and brake levers go there isn't any problem with this design. On the original design without the drop (lowering) I could not get full depression on the brake which obviously concerned me and I couldn't get my boots under the shifter. This new designer gives me full range without any problems.

Quite honestly I was very sceptical about whether they would make any difference comfort wise. I was wrong. It allows you to change the position of your feet reliveing any fatigue in the legs, knees and/or ankles.

Let me know if I can be of any further help.

[dodk64]

The distance off the bike is about the same as the pegs so that isn't a problem. As far as the shifter and brake levers go there isn't any problem with this design. On the original design without the drop (lowering) I could not get full depression on the brake which obviously concerned me and I couldn't get my boots under the shifter. This new designer gives me full range without any problems.

Quite honestly I was very sceptical about whether they would make any difference comfort wise. I was wrong. It allows you to change the position of your feet reliveing any fatigue in the legs, knees and/or ankles.

Let me know if I can be of any further help.

Thank you for the great write up bill. It was a pleasure doing business with you . I am so glad i was able to get you what you wanted. I just want to make sure that anyone who buys a set is happy with their purchase no matter what it takes. i would have also made you another set of regular height floorboards with a slightly bigger angle so you would have be able to get full range on brake pedal and get those big dogs under the shifter. You made a good choice going with the relocated boards. i am really glad you me go back to drawing board and finally get those relocated boards to fold up. thanks again, darius

[james_garner]

Based on the reviews, I ordered both set of floorboards for my LT. After talking to Darius and I have not doubt that I made the right decision. I will give an update after I try them out when they arrive next week.

[shoswell]

I'm in the same predicament. 6'5, 15 boot... Can you post some pic's of the "redesign" I have the DD brackets and scrape the hell out of them in the twisties... I've gotten used to picking up my inside foot, when i'm really in the twisties! Would be nice not to do that... :D

First, let me say that after riding for 31 years I have never before felt compelled to publicly praise a motorcycle vendor. That's not to say that I haven’t had dealings with good vendors in the past - I have. But never any as dedicated to customer service as Darius Kowalski.
http://www.dodk64.com/
Here is the short version: at 6'6" 275# the standard pegs just aren't comfortable. I tried drop down brackets - better but not perfect. A friend touted the floorboards he had on his Yamaha Roadliner so I thought maybe I should look into some floorboards. After many hours on the bmwlt web site I decided to give Darius a try. His service was professional and prompt! The first boards arrived in a few days and I gave them a try. They were his dropped down slightly forward model. I found only one problem with them. As a heavy, aggressive rider I thought the stationary (non-pivoting) boards might be problematic. I contacted Darius and he suggested I try the non-drop style since they do pivot. They would have been fine except my size 13/14 boots wouldn't fit under the shift lever and I didn't want to go to a heal / toe shifter design. Again, Darius came up with another suggestion. He offered to refund my money and let me try a slightly used set of Ilium Work's floorboards which he had lying around for comparison. I agreed. I barely had them out of the shipping box before I realized the difference in quality. In my opinion the Ilium Works couldn't even come close to the product Darius produces. I gave them a try anyway. They were the worst set of floorboards yet for my size. Quite frankly at this time I thought I was at a dead end and would have to settle for my pegs. One last try, as an engineer I sketched a few designs and asked Darius to take a look at them. In the mean time he had been doing some redesigning. Yesterday I received HIS new design. They are fantastic. They are lowered but at the same time pivot up for the more aggressive rider. Darius, thank you for your patience and professionalism.

[james_garner]

I am 6' 7" with a size 17 foot. I told Darius of my predicament and he assured me that my foot would fit. Worst case would be that I would have to return the coupler between the floorboard and the bike and he would replace it with one with a better angle. He then told me that if we could not make it work, he would refund my money. What a pleasure to business with. I will post pictures once everything arrives.

[james_garner]

Floorboards are fantastic.

I had a little difficulty with the install because I did not read the directions well enough. Because of this, I learned that the local bicycle shop has the quarter inch ball bearings that are part of the factory passenger foot pegs. The first ball bearing disappeared once I removed the foot peg.

Thanks to Darius for his assistance and the lightning quick delivery!!

[jzeiler]

Floorboards are fantastic.
The first ball bearing disappeared once I removed the foot peg.


I did that a year ago and I am still looking for that pesky ball!! Nice look boards!!

[bdad57]

Hi Darius,

Sounds like you are the custom floorboard guy. I'm 6'4", 240 lbs, size 11.5 shoes (yeah they're a bit small for my height). I have been mainly riding an 1800 VTX R (Honda) for the last 5 years and have come to love the floorboards and a heel-toe shifter. I'm picking up my K1200LT this week and one of my worries is that I will miss the floorboards too much. If I decide I need to upgrade, can you tell me the right unit based on what I described? Also, my wife loves her floorboards on the X so she might feel the same way. Whatever we decide, I think it's best to ask these questions right up front.

Bruce

[dodk64]

Asking questions is always the way to go when ever you buy anything. I wish more people would asks more questions so they know what to expect. You have the same physical specs as i do. I always recommend the relocated driver floorboards. That 1 1/2 forward and down position might not seem like much, but it makes all the difference in the world . you will love them. if you don't, you send them back for full refund and i will even pay for return shipping so you will have nothing to lose. hope you will give them a try. people ready don't know what they are missing. everyone thinks they are comfortable, but they really don't until they have a big board to put their feet on.

[VRodPete]

I picked up a set of Darius' floorboards (lowered, no pivot) last year prior to my trip up to Alaska and back. 11,600 miles later I am completely sold on the product. Great stuff, and yes great customer service.