Heel or Toe?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 3,085
From: Westchester, NY
I strictly use the heel/toe... just more comfortable for me instead of lifting my toes up from a flat floorboard or whatever the "correct" term is for them. If I had footpegs, that would be a little different.
But yeah much more comfortable for me this way, switching back to a bike with pegs and no heel shifter for me has never been an issue.
I do notice that people tend to stomp the **** out of the heel shifter for some reason, personally I do try and make a conscious effort not to put anymore force on it than I need to.
But yeah much more comfortable for me this way, switching back to a bike with pegs and no heel shifter for me has never been an issue.
I do notice that people tend to stomp the **** out of the heel shifter for some reason, personally I do try and make a conscious effort not to put anymore force on it than I need to.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 573
Likes: 817
From: West of Virginia
I grew up using toe only. I had a Street Glide with heel-toe and tried to get use to it but ended up taking the heel off because I had to think about shifting with it. So, what ever works for you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 11,185
Likes: 7,961
From: In my head
Belonging to an MC and pack riding side by side we tend to have a very heavy throttle hand, taking that extra time learning to move my foot back to shift would put me behind my brother along side me and for sure disrupt the flow of the bikes. Being 8 feet off someone's rear tire at 80 mph while banging bars and miss shifting or lack of momentum even for fraction of a second is not the best idea. I've tried it solo and don't like coming off the revs to move my foot into position. Keep in mind, I live it the mountains on nothing but twisty corners. My reflexes have to be on point.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,157
Likes: 9,565
From: central NC
My heel shifter is extended and maybe only an inch higher than the board, because it doesn’t have anything under it. I have large hooves, so I lift my heel just a smidge while the ball of my foot is still planted on the board and bump it down through the gears after take off. It really is quite comfortable for me, and it’s my first heel shifter. My previous HD had forward controls so it was all toe shifting.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 2,410
From: Jackson, OH
^This^
Although it's of no matter really, I think a lot of heel shifters could be more ideally located to make using them easier.
Although it's of no matter really, I think a lot of heel shifters could be more ideally located to make using them easier.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
I see no purpose in the heel shift lever although I havent removed the lever. Having rode for well over 45 years its always been toe shifter. A lot of people destroy their shifters with unnecessary kick downshifting especially. Some people with foot conditions cant ride with toe shifters so the heel shifter provides an option. Options are good.