Initial
Impressions:
1) Out of the box... very cool boot, obvious quality.
2) Nice wide foot
3) VERY adjustable... engineered very well.
4) Replaceable parts
5) adjustable calf... put them on with braces, great
fit!
6) Not that stiff for brand new boots, break-in looks
to be short.
7) Very high quality... everywhere.
8) The buckles are great
9) Appear to be a very good value
10) Includes extra ankle pivot parts, keychain/screw
driver.
This
is going to be a long term test, with "journal"
entries through an entire season of use in a format
that more represents a real-world impression of living
with an important and expensive purchase.
First
Ride (June 11, 2001):
After three weeks of rain-out, I finally got the chance
to ride with the New Force from SiDi. I had spent
some time working all the adjustments on the boot, it's
amazing how customizable these things are. You'll be
well served to spend some time off the track to get
the boots dialed-in. There is plenty of room in the
calf area to accommodate my Asterisk Cell braces
and my 18" calves.
I'm
testing the standard sole, which is not as stiff as
the SRS version, that is designed more for the SX'ers
/ big jumpers, the harder sole provides more peg impact
protection.
I
really appreciate the buckles on the Sidi's… I've
never been completely happy with the buckles on my Tech
8's, which can be difficult at times to get unbuckled
after a long moto. The Force buckles open and close
with ease, without the worry of them opening at the
wrong time.
Before
we got to ride, we had to pull some track maintenance…
three weeks of rain allowed the weeds to just about
take over the private track. I wore my Core 3's and
the Force during the 3-hour weed whacking adventure.
After the first hour, it was obvious that the boots
were softening-up nicely although they had turned a
deep shade of green due to the mass-slaughter of the
invading growth. Very comfortable to walk in.
Finally
on the bike! The first thing I noticed was how well
the soles (softer than those of the Alpinestars), gripped
the pegs. I assumed this could be good or bad, they
grip so well, either I'd enjoy the security of my feet
staying on, or dislike it if I had difficulty sliding
my feet off when entering a turn. I'm unsure if this
sole material will wear longer or shorter than that
used by Alpinestars. The sole is NOT designed to be
replaced by the owner (unlike the Force SRS which
we are also reviewing), but replacement sew-on soles
are available. Watch for the long-term updates for wear
info. Of note, I use IMS Pro pegs, which have
VERY large, sharp teeth. I'm guessing that the flexible
sole will not get torn up as quickly as harder materials.
I
do enjoy getting a new pair of boots when my current
ones are breaking down. What I dislike is having to
live through getting the new ones broken in. My current
Tech 8's are going into their third season and while
they are in "okay" shape, less a broken buckle
(replaceable), one of the plastic "rub" inserts
ripped-off and a nice "slid off the kick starter,
ripped a hole in the side of the boot" incident.
Can you say wet wrinkled toes?
Testing/Track
conditions:
The largest part of the track was not wet, however the
usual low-lying areas were filled with water after three
weeks of rain, which soon became some serious mud bogs.
Doing my best to "help empty" the small ponds,
I was soon completely drenched. Perfect test for how
water resistant the boots are.
To
my surprise, I actually forgot I had new boots on. After
the first 3 laps or so, I remembered that I was supposed
to be doing a review. Comparing break-in to my Tech
8's, I'd have to say the Sidi's got comfortable as fast
(surprise). The hinged ankle really aids in eliminating
those new boot missed shifts, I had zero problems shifting
or feeling the brake. I was comfortable right away.
After two moto's, the Force succeeded in keeping my
socks dry, pretty impressive for the amount of water
I displaced.
The
boot's unique internal "gaitor" does it's
job. In the same situation, I would have normally removed
the boot to find a soaked, mud colored sock containing
what appear to be 100 year-old wrinkled feet. Not this
time; dry and clean. Now I mentioned that my Tech 8's
have some holes, but… the Alpinestars never would
seal well enough along the top to keep out the water/dirt.
The Sidi's address this issue very well.
Support.
The Force provides superb ankle support and protection,
without restricting up-down movement of the foot. The
ankle hinge will require some maintenance from time
to time, this is a moving part that will need to be
cleaned and oiled, well worth the extra minute or two
in my opinion.
The
lower portion of the boot as well as the calf system
are of a hard plastic material with many additional
formed impact areas look to provide a good level of
impact protection. I have a tendency of slapping the
swing arm with my ankle, resulting in a nice bruise
on my "ankle bone", where a lot of boots simply
have leather in these locations, no doubt the Sidi will
absorb more impact.
Another
of the great features are the replaceable parts of the
boot. The shin guard, steel toe cup, buckles and the
"adjustable calf system" section are all available
directly from MotoNation (the master distributor for
Sidi in North America). Hummm… If I order replacement
parts in different colors, I've got a "custom"
looking boot. Want a red/white boot? Blue/white?
First
Impression Summary: I like these boots! Great level
of protection, comfortable and great feel gripping the
bike, shifting and braking. I'd be hard pressed to make
the buy decision between another pair of Tech 8's or
the Force at this point. I'm looking forward to more
time with the boots. Stay tuned.
Next
update: Wear, cleaning, maintenance and continued break-in.
June
14 Update:
After cleaning up the CR, I noticed considerably
more marking on the aluminum frame than when wearing
boots with less "ankle armor" . I doubt this
will be an issue with steel-framed bikes, but worth
mentioning.
June
18 Update:
Riding a YZ250F, there was an issue with the edge of
the sole catching under the lip of the brake pedal...
a slight height adjustment of the pedal fixed the problem.
The boot is broken in a fit's like a glove. The buckle
straps require adjustment pretty much everytime you
put the boots on, they move freely in their slots when
not latched. My
favorite boots.
FlexForce
SRS Review
Rich Rohrich's review the Force with SRS… the replaceable
sole system. Is this the boot for those with monster
calves and knee braces?
Contacts:
MotoNation: http://www.motonation.com
MotoNation Dealer Locator: http://www.motonation.com/ourdealers.html
Questions
or Comments? Post them in the Review thread found here:
DRN
Tested
