Hi!

I started wearing Fox Hardwear Boots when riding my KLR and find that the boots are so stiff I can't pivot my foot down enough to adequately use the rear brake. I have moved the brake petal up as far as possible. I thought maybe the petal was bent, but have looked at pictures of new KLRs and the petal seems to be fine. I'm sure I can pick my foot up off the peg and use my heel, but would prefer not to do that. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Donnie

I also would like more information and or help on the function of the rear brake pedal and its travel. I do not wear the typical off road gear. To me the rear brake seems pretty lame, to the point of being almost ineffective. I've installed the stainless steel braided brake lines both front and rear. I've bleed the system 3 times using my Mighty Vac brake bleeder. Use D.O.T. 4 fluid. I am not an aggressive rider at all, 90% street.
Seems that the answer is grab a fist full of front brake and start gearing down. To get any successful rear brake action seems to require jamming your heel on the pedal versus the toe method.

Thanks Bill

I have no problems with the rear brake, I can slide the rear tire at will, if the rear tire slides I think the brake is working fine.
As for not being able to bend the ankle to work the brake I would recomend different boots.

Most MX boots are really stiff like that when new but sometimes they'll loosen up a bit with use. Many of us have found out there's not much adjustment available if you want to raise the brake pedal. The common fix for this is to install a bolt up through the opening in the toe pedal, leaving the threaded end of the bolt protruding up a bit past the nut. I think a 3/8" x 1 1/2" bolt with a couple washers and a lock nut should be about right.

Then there's this idea that Trailryder42 had, over on KLRWorld:

Brake Lever Mod

That is a good link, best fix I have seen for that. I have the same problem, installed better pegs that exagerated the problem.
Differant boots are not the answer.