Jockey shift- kinda sorta?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Southern IL
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Hudson Valley, NY
Well obviously I was using sarcasm, I would think anyone who isn't retarded or brain dead could see that. I don't actually believe there should be a law passed banning jockey shifters on a modern Harley, but I do think it's really ****ing stupid.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,053
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From: Southern IL
you may think its stupid, but to a lot of people its a necessity , or fun , or just feels more natural...something different than the norm....the list goes on.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
for a "regular bike" I dont mind foot shifting, but for a relaxing ride, especially if chopped, there isnt anything like shifting by hand.
I sometimes have hand on my knee waiting to reach for a shifter that isnt there, when riding a foot shifted bike, lol, same as pushing an invisible clutch & reaching for the shift lever on wifes automatic truck.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 874
Likes: 2
From: Southern Arizona
I never want to ride a bike with a jockey shift again. Back in the day I rode a knuck with a rear drum brake, no front brake, 45 Degree rake, so the springer didn't really work. Of course it was a hardtail. Coming to a light you had one foot on the clutch, one on the brake and just praying I could find neutral before I came to a stop. Once stopped I could put my right foot down, push in the clutch with the left and shift to first. Stopping on a hill was a complete cluster f**k. You only used a jockey shift because you couldn't afford a mouse trap to convert the clutch to a hand clutch.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 479
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From: Oregon
I never want to ride a bike with a jockey shift again. Back in the day I rode a knuck with a rear drum brake, no front brake, 45 Degree rake, so the springer didn't really work. Of course it was a hardtail. Coming to a light you had one foot on the clutch, one on the brake and just praying I could find neutral before I came to a stop. Once stopped I could put my right foot down, push in the clutch with the left and shift to first. Stopping on a hill was a complete cluster f**k. You only used a jockey shift because you couldn't afford a mouse trap to convert the clutch to a hand clutch.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Southern Arizona
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
a few years ago I saw a guy at bike week in Myrtle Beach on a stretched out chopper, probably 18" over, he was running a moped front tire & wheel, yeah a cheap moped wheel & tire combo, he said couldnt afford what he wanted, & this gave him close to the look he wanted. all I could think about is the 50mph rating of the front tire, & load rationg, he did say tire life sucked, claimed 2,000 to 3,000 miles to a tire, which he also said was dirt cheap.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
And nobody sees the irony of a guy slamming jockey shifts while riding a bike designed to have the look of an old hardtail?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 479
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From: Oregon