Heel shift / toe shift

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Mar 21, 2015 | 12:27 PM

Bohemka

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 140

Likes: 4

From: Bast, Czech Republic

Heel shift / toe shift

As the old saying goes.....the more you know, the more you realise you don't know. Or something like that.

So now I am back on the road and on my 1st HD I am having to adjust to the whole heel shift toe shift lever thing.

All bikes I have ridden before only had the toe shift so I am instinctively using just the toe for up and down. Should I be 'retraining' myself? How many of you are using the heel shift? To me it seems slower than just using the toe?

(14 years away from bikes. SGS delivered just over 24 hours ago. 80 miles now on the clock and I am still alive. Only tng that hurts is my cheeks from grinning)

Mar 21, 2015 | 12:29 PM

GroovusMagnus

Road Captain

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 682

Likes: 197

From: Raleigh, NC

The heel shifter is just in the way. I took mine off as soon as I got the bike home.

GM

Mar 21, 2015 | 12:32 PM

Road-Rash

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 427

Likes: 0

From: Kiel, WI

I'd be lost without my heel shifter since my last 2 bikes had it. In the end, it's really up to you with what you're comfortable with.

Congrats on the new ride.

Last edited by Road-Rash; Mar 21, 2015 at 12:35 PM.

Mar 21, 2015 | 12:46 PM

stro1965

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 10,602

Likes: 721

From: Bellevue, NE

Once you do "re-train" yourself, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Mar 21, 2015 | 12:49 PM

bronxbill

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 1,874

Likes: 576

From: Raleigh NC

Personal choice as to whether to use the heel shifter or not

Mar 21, 2015 | 12:49 PM

Keithhu

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 17,145

Likes: 6,167

From: SE Michigan

I always remove the heel shifter, first thing I do when I get a new Harley. That and I remove the goofy reflectors.

Mar 21, 2015 | 12:58 PM

My14Ultra

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 143

Likes: 25

From: Boise

My First Harley Here---and I will be removing the heel shifter soon. About 450 miles on my new bike--had always ridden Suzukis since I was 16. I tried the heal shift up until now but I always Stomp down on it when I try to shift fast. I bought the chrome cap to cover the extention of the shaft once I remove the heel shifter. For me im just more comfortable using the front of my boot. Plus my heel keeps hitting the heel shift and it feels to me like my foot will fall off the floor board--weird I know but all my other bikes only had pegs so will still take me some time to get used to floorboards also. So plus 1 on removing the Heel Shifter here. 2014 Ultra Limited. Moved up from a 2001 Suzuki 1200 Bandit.
Ride Safe!