Heel Shift or Toe Shift?
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
RE: Heel Shift or Toe Shift?
No real preference here either way but I use both methods depending on where my foot finds itself on the board. When I first got my Heritage, my first bike with heel/toe shift, I heel shifted exclusively to keep it simple (the old gray matter isn’t what it used to be). But, my shift procedure has turned into one of those intuitive eye-hand (foot?) coordination things; the foot seems to find the closest peg. I guess it’s like I always told my Dad, never under estimate the power of laziness! Lawdawg, what’s your preference?
See you out there.
John
See you out there.
John
Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 425
From: Pennsylvania
RE: Heel Shift or Toe Shift?
I have an 05 Fat Boy with the heel/toe shifter.
When I first started riding it I was using my heel to upshift. Did that for about 3 or 400 miles.
Tried upshifting with my toe for a while too to see which way I prefer and
I stuck with the toe for upshifting.
I may just remove the heel shifter altogether. Havent decided yet though.
Cant really say why I prefer toe.
Its not out of habit because this is my first ever motorcycle and I
started out using the heel shifter right away because "I liked the idea" of it.
I still like the idea of it, but once I tried upshifting with my toe I just liked that better.
When I first started riding it I was using my heel to upshift. Did that for about 3 or 400 miles.
Tried upshifting with my toe for a while too to see which way I prefer and
I stuck with the toe for upshifting.
I may just remove the heel shifter altogether. Havent decided yet though.
Cant really say why I prefer toe.
Its not out of habit because this is my first ever motorcycle and I
started out using the heel shifter right away because "I liked the idea" of it.
I still like the idea of it, but once I tried upshifting with my toe I just liked that better.
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Heel Shift or Toe Shift?
I've ridden too many bikes without heel shifters to ever be comfortable doing anything other than a toe shift. Recently removed the heel shifter and was surprised how much room that freed up for me to move my left foot around on the floorboard for a more comfortable position.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Heel Shift or Toe Shift?
Just got my 05 RK Custom a few weeks ago, after 25+ years of UJMs and then sportbikes, and surprisingly, I prefer the heel/toe. At first I thought I'd never get used to shifting that way, considering my prior experience, but lo and behold, it just feels more comfortable with me. I'm sure if my feet were on pegs instead of boards, I'd probably have continued to toe shift only.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Heel Shift or Toe Shift?
I was taught the toe shifting and had never had a bike with the toe/heel option until getting the Deluxe two months ago. I am trying, but find the toe shifting more comfortable. Maybe just need to get more time in using the heel.
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RE: Heel Shift or Toe Shift?
Heel Shift. I never place my toe under the toe shift anymore. I rode plent of toe shift harleys in the past, including a right hand shift sportster back in the 70's. I find it easy to find neutral by just lightly tapping my heel on the heel shift. I use to walk around with a left boot missing a chunk of leather from power shifting with my toe. Not anymore
Terry
Terry