Footpeg Positioning
The 650GS foot control positions are a compromise between the model variants and their usage in commuting, touring and dirt road situations. Overall the footpegs are too far forward.
Normally with Dual Sport machines or MX machines the footpegs are aligned with the swing arm pivot for neutral weight bias when standing on the footpegs. The standard 650GS positioning is forward of the swing arm pivot
The gear and brake pedal lengths are set for a "middle point" in boot size, this means the pedal length change needed when fitting footpeg relocation kits will vary, for most people the reduction in length will be less than expected, for those with larger boot sizes no change in pedal length may be needed
A boot size of 7 1/2 (42) the optimum pedal length needed to be 15mm shorter with the standard footpegs, with a 50mm relocation of the footpegs only a further 15mm change to the pedal length was required. This apparent anomaly is in part as a result of the increased downward angle of the foot as the footpeg position is moved rearward.
There is some confusion with the degree of relocation with the kits. As far as can be determined the Touratech kit moves the footpegs back 2" (50mm) when used with the BMW footpegs, the wider footpegs available move the rear edge of the footpeg back another 1/2" (12.5mm). There are claims the height of the footpeg is increased by about 1/2" (12.5mm) when the wider footpegs are fitted. A pic comparing the TT with STD footpeg mounts is below.
The BMW stainless steel heat guard heats up a little too much as it is so close to the header pipe & when the footpegs are relocated plus rear peg mounts are removed is not high enough.
An alloy guard mounted to the header works well & is easy to fabricate, re use the exhaust trim cover fibre washers to isolate it from the heat of the exhaust.
Ratel make an alternative to the TT relocation kit which is higher quality & more flexible in footpeg positioning
There are 4 different U channel mounting positions and rotating the U channel 180° moves the pegs 5mm up or down providing 8 different positions giving rearward relocation from 35mm to 70mm plus 15mm up and down
