Moved Foot Pegs - Pain Gone

[Gold Rush]

Due to increasing weakness and pain in knees and hips I converted my ’06 GL1800 to a MotorTrike Adventure this past May. Not having to hold the bike’s weight has helped but the joint pain still was there. I recently read a bulletin board post where the author had removed the OEM foot pegs so he could simply rest his feel on the Aqua-Shields (MT name for running boards). I thought this might be a good alternative foot/leg position but did not want to totally give up the OEM foot pegs. Here is my solution to that situation….. Only took me all day yesterday to design, build, paint, and install new foot peg mounts. Yesterday I got to use them.








First ride observations:

Moving the foot pegs from horizontal to vertical and back was very easy. I can see where it might get more difficult if the mounting bolt were tightened too much. I was very careful to only tighten it just enough to keep the pegs vertical

Shifting was not near as difficult as I expected but using the rear brake was more difficult. Both will take some practice and concentration. Neither were impossible – just had to grope around blind (didn’t want to take my eyes off the road) until I located the correct foot position.

Leg/joint pain was MUCH better!!! OMG, that felt good. I was even able to put weight on both Aqua-Shields which also felt very good. Being able to almost straighten my legs out was HUGE. I’m really hoping this finally is the answer I’ve been looking for.

[Loner]

I'm not a goldwing owner (partially because of similar limitations and the stock location of the pegs), but please post another couple of photos from a little more distance so I can see a broader view of the new location. I've thought about going ahead and getting a GW trike and trying to move the pegs (and controls) to something more comfortable.

So far, nothing can compete with an HD in the 'stretch-out' category, but a GW is on my bucket list to park next to my HD.

[msrvpeig]

Here's a picture of how I got rid of my pain. It only took about an hour. Ha!

[JoyJack]

Hiya, I would also like some pictures that shows more of the aqua-shields. I have a 2010 GW with the MotorTrike kit. I have some pain similar to what you describe, and it limits my long distance riding.

I have been considering removing the pegs completely. My concerns are access to the shifter and brake pedal and damage to the aqua-shield from my feet rubbing around there. It looks like you have installed a rubber mat under the shifter, that is what I would do if this works out. The pro to doing this is the different riding positions to relieve the leg pains and being able to ride longer distances comfortably.

Being able to position the pedals vertical or horizontal adds more positions than I was considering. I'd like to hear how this works out for you longer term.

[Hawkeye]

Gold Rush -

Great idea.

I had switched from an HD trike to a GW trike at one time but eventually switched back to HD primarily because of the problems you experienced. I could just never get comfortable on the GW.

[Konrad]

I had that problem when my 06 GL1800 was a two wheeler. Solved it by replacing the pegs with Kury running boards and heel-toe shifter. A miracle! But then I wanted to stretch out further so I put adjustable highway pegs on the engine guards. Now I have a full range of motion for my feet and legs.

[Loner]

Golly, I don't think we realized what a popular issue Gold Rush has raised with this thread. Seems like more persons than I have remained with HD exclusively due to the uncomfortable GW riding position. I truly love the GWs and want to have one in my stable, but I've got to be comfortable. I went through buying and quickly selling a Stallion because I just don't have the flexible, uhh - let's say 'expansion', of a French lady of the evening (LOL).

[Woolie]

I too miss the comfortable leg position I had on the Harley and have been trying things to make the Goldwing more comfortable for a taller long legged rider. I think I will remove the pegs and see if that is better, then if it is, try to modify them and put them back on.

[DeerWrangler]

When i went to the trike i got leg cramps like crazy. Mostly in the left hip when dealing with shifting. Like many i have full boards and the trike came with K replacement pegs sort of like those for the passanger.

I didnt want to have to put weight on the running roads so i had "ME" RAISED UP by getting a Diamond seat... Tried the Saddlemens Road Sofa and it sets lower than the stock Goldwing.

By having the seat redone it raises me up just that 1- 1 1/2 inshes that is really necessary to avoid the occasional hip cramps. I also looked at a lot of diff highway pegs that were more right than wrong and found that K makes ERGO pegs that are infinite in adjustment and the adjustemnts are in clicks etc and not something that one has to mess with for hours to get just right.

Anotherway to raise the seat but keep the stock seat is to get a seat cushion that you can ADD foam to.

Those things are what i did to sort my hip issues out and after a 2500 mile trip i never felt one tringe of discomfort...

[abcdleines]

I put Mick-O-Pegs on my trike and love them. I had Kurys on my crash bars but didn't like the way i satwith them. The MOP feels like your legs are just hanging there.

[Gold Rush]

please post another couple of photos from a little more distance so I can see a broader view of the new location. I've thought about going ahead and getting a GW trike and trying to move the pegs (and controls) to something more comfortable.

Here are a couple pictures for you and JoyJack. Hope they show you what you are interested in.

[Loner]

Thanks!! Now I got the big picture. I have not paid that much attention to the MT AquaShields, but looks like they might indeed offer some solution if one were to adjust or modify the shifter & brake pedal to the lower position. Got me thinking now.

I still think a better, although not easier solution would be to move the cyliinders - maybe into a 'V' configuration with three in each bank. Sort of a V-Twin/V-Twin/V-Twin with a sound like three HD's together. Hey - I don't think much better than this when I'm hitting on all cylinders!

[JoyJack]

Thanx for the pics. My aqua-shields are made a little different than yours. Mine is a 2010. I will try to get some pics up. My floor is flatter and maybe longer to the front. I think I can rotate the shifter and brake peddle down to compensate. However, I like the idea of having the foot-pegs available.

It appears you removed the spring and used a bolt and nut with a nylon insert to put tension on the peg to help hold it up. Obviously you built new mounts to bolt the peg to. Is that about right? I need to get some time to see if I can adopt your method. Good Job!!

[Gold Rush]

You are exactly right JoyJack. I didn't like the look of the new Aqua-Shields so I begged add pleaded until Motor Trike fessed up a set of the old style. I don't know if they are available at all now. MY installer told me MT was going to stop making them completely.

Don't see why you couldn't do what I did. I guess the new Aqua-Shields are also weight bearing.... Wouldn't recommend doing this on running boards that won't hold the rider's weight.

[cmore]

I like to place my feet on the aqua shields on long rides. Don't keep them there long as legs are to short to be comfortable for long periods. So I took the foot rest off and moved the spring so it doesn't force the foot pedal down and reinstalled them. That took the pressure off my ankles and I can always go back if for some reason, I want to.