Mine are black with some minor white accents....low profile for a race styled boot. I bought this boot mainly for touring. It is comfy and protective-not as much as the Sidi but then again I have a wide foot which made my selection very easy. Here are my thoughts:
Pros: CE certified, great venting (scoops work), not boy-racer styled, overall lightweight, okay to wear while walking, footbed is comfy, pants tuck in with ease, 2nd coolest boot on the market (Sidi's summer boot---vertigo?) and flows air well during summertime, good protection, zippers on outside of boot, also easy to take off and put on.
Cons: Still somewhat boy racer but very subdued, perforations are not throughout boot, not using leather over entire boot, sole is styled mainly for riding, sole rubs easily with the slider in turns, pricey at $230, Sidi's offer more replaceable parts, not the most comfy for walking, zipper durability will be suspect.
Overall: I love them, they can be worn with jeans on over them and look like black boots (sliders do give it away though), perfect balacing of racing, touring, walking in a CE approved boot. Time will tell so far only 5 months of use. If you can wear the thin Sidi Vertigo's I'd recommend them but for my wider foot the only choice was Alpinestars. I prefer these over the A-Stars SMX-Plus because they are much lighter and less "plastickey"
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1171454751/gallery_4345_2447_36597.jpg
smxr.jpg
They dont have as much protection as the a-stars smx plus. The plus is a race boot the r is considered a sport street boot. I own a pair of the a-stars smx plus and am looking at the r's for a more casual set of boots. I bet they would be alot better to walk in and more comfortable to wear all day. The black with red stiching is so sweet. There is also no plastic ankle hinges so they dont squeak right?
[image: View Post]soichiro, on Feb 16 2007, 09:32 PM, said:
They dont have as much protection as the a-stars smx plus. The plus is a race boot the r is considered a sport street boot. I own a pair of the a-stars smx plus and am looking at the r's for a more casual set of boots. I bet they would be alot better to walk in and more comfortable to wear all day. The black with red stiching is so sweet. There is also no plastic ankle hinges so they dont squeak right?
SMX plus will squeek? LOL. You didn't mention that before. LOL. I'll have to get get back, with a review. (Soon as the snow melts, and the turtle doesn't hide, when riding). LOL.
[image: View Post]Rivcyko, on Feb 16 2007, 10:43 PM, said:
[image: View Post]soichiro, on Feb 16 2007, 09:32 PM, said:
They dont have as much protection as the a-stars smx plus. The plus is a race boot the r is considered a sport street boot. I own a pair of the a-stars smx plus and am looking at the r's for a more casual set of boots. I bet they would be alot better to walk in and more comfortable to wear all day. The black with red stiching is so sweet. There is also no plastic ankle hinges so they dont squeak right?
SMX plus will squeek? LOL. You didn't mention that before. LOL. I'll have to get get back, with a review. (Soon as the snow melts, and the turtle doesn't hide, when riding). LOL.
Sometimes they squeak so bad I am embarassed. The ankle hinges squeak when rubbed together. A little wd-40 in just the right place takes care of it for a while.
I hear Oxtar boots are a little wider than the Sidis too? I am planning on buying a pair of their TCS Evo boots when my tax check comes in... but I was looking at the SMX-Plus boots also.
I like the titanium sliders on the Oxtar boots, I can make my own replacements at work, and they have plastic ones available for track use.
[image: View Post]soichiro, on Feb 16 2007, 06:32 PM, said:
They dont have as much protection as the a-stars smx plus.
Exactly.....to each his own obviously, but I'd be more concerned with the level of protection I have than someone's perception of my "racer-boy" boots.
They definitely do squeek.....but again, that's not an issue for me.
I do have a pair of Sidi Vertigo airs for hot weather(they do vent well) but I think the SMX+ is without a doubt the better boot.
[image: View Post]Rivcyko, on Feb 16 2007, 09:43 PM, said:
(Soon as the snow melts, and the turtle doesn't hide, when riding). LOL.
The turtle doesn't hide? That's a new one.....funny stuff.
I've never been around any boots that squeak. Or have to spray WD-40 on them <_<
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/767fixer/nads/ebay.jpg
I have the GPS's. (and ugly feet!!) they dont squeak....with a set of gel insoles are all day comfy... and plain black
[image: View Post]Hobie1dog, on Feb 17 2007, 02:30 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Rivcyko, on Feb 16 2007, 09:43 PM, said:
(Soon as the snow melts, and the turtle doesn't hide, when riding). LOL.
The turtle doesn't hide? That's a new one.....funny stuff.
I've never been around any boots that squeak. Or have to spray WD-40 on them <_<
The plastic ankle hinge mechanism's squeak. These boots are made for riding. The more I wear them the less they seem to squeak.
I don't have them on my Daytona and Dainese boots, but I'm curious if these hard plastic ankle "exoskeletons" might foul the lower rear faring above the rearsets on some bikes? The fourth gen has some plastic near that area that have kept me from considering getting boots like SIDI's latest higher line models.
Beck
95 VFR
[image: View Post]Beck, on Feb 18 2007, 04:26 PM, said:
I don't have them on my Daytona and Dainese boots, but I'm curious if these hard plastic ankle "exoskeletons" might foul the lower rear faring above the rearsets on some bikes? The fourth gen has some plastic near that area that have kept me from considering getting boots like SIDI's latest higher line models.
Beck
95 VFR
Mine do not. My guards and the heat shield are a little scratched but that just means they are doing their job. I have not rubbed any plastic, 6th gen.
Yeah the SMX-R's do NOT squeak. And they are decent for walking around in, for example I wear them to work, change, then after work wear them to my college class- no issues - do get some strange looks though! I wear a "vibram" sole my my work boots and it's awesome, after the factory one wears out I am upgrading to a vibram- cost about $50 installed.
I meant the Sidi' Vertigo Air's in my first post. I had them but they hurt my feet and thankfully new enough took them back. And yes the SMX-plus is a race oriented boot, which is why I choose the smx-r's.
Oh and thanks Fixer I just vomited after seeing those flinestone feet!