M8 Heel Toe Shift
Floorboards and heal-toe shifters kept me off of a touring bike for years. I found the whole setup confining compare to my 2006 Wide Glide. After a short time I got used to it. Now I love it.
i think part of the reason I now like it is because I had my seat modified to improve my overall ergonomics. If memory serves me correctly, the seat was raised about 1 1/2 inches. A big shout out to John Lingo in Rockville, Md for a great job.
i think part of the reason I now like it is because I had my seat modified to improve my overall ergonomics. If memory serves me correctly, the seat was raised about 1 1/2 inches. A big shout out to John Lingo in Rockville, Md for a great job.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 3,001
From: Charleston, SC
I used to take mine off and use a kuryakyn spacer thing.
Now i just use this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXTENDED-LEN...tVpBFC&vxp=mtr
Now i just use this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXTENDED-LEN...tVpBFC&vxp=mtr
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 830
Likes: 34
From: Missouri
I love the heal shifter set up only after I change things around a little. I can not stand it in the stock configuration from the factory. The below set up is what I have done on every touring model Harley I have owned and its a great set up.
Pic's below of my 2017 Tri Glide floorboards below with floorboard extensions, V Twin manufacturing ext rear chrome heal shifter arm, La Choppers front ext shift peg. Also the angle of the shifter arms have been re-adjusted to my liking with the rear shift peg set low. Now there is plenty of room on the floorboards and the bike shifts like a dream. Also no scuffed up toes of the boots.
Ride Safe All,
Bill G
Pic's below of my 2017 Tri Glide floorboards below with floorboard extensions, V Twin manufacturing ext rear chrome heal shifter arm, La Choppers front ext shift peg. Also the angle of the shifter arms have been re-adjusted to my liking with the rear shift peg set low. Now there is plenty of room on the floorboards and the bike shifts like a dream. Also no scuffed up toes of the boots.
Ride Safe All,
Bill G
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 272
From: Ohio
I retained the stock toe shifter and added an extended heel shifter. I also installed mine as low as I can get them so that my foot can stay on the board. I do not have to raise my foot completely off the floorboard to shift up or down. Just lift the toe or heel slightly in order to engage either shift lever. I'm 6' 6" and have plenty of room on the boards with this setup.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,672
Likes: 11,459
From: State of Confusion
after reluctantly giving heel / toe shifting a try I came around to it for a few years..but just went back to normal with my extended floorboards and shifter..I'm 6'3" with long legs and bad left knee..I needed to stretch forward instead of bending my knee up and back to heel shift...I much prefer 'normal' these days..have it adjusted so my tallest pair of boots fits under the shifter and don't have to lift my boot off the floorboard to shift, and I can rest my heel on the floorboards and toes on the highway pegs
Last edited by mjwebb; Jan 24, 2017 at 07:28 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,672
Likes: 11,459
From: State of Confusion
why do people that have no interest in a topic suddenly find interest just to show up just to bash people that are interested in helping...this post was started by a new person that wanted opinions and suggestions and hasn't used it before..topic don't interest you, don't participate
Banned
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 277
Likes: 48
From: Hometown
why do people that have no interest in a topic suddenly find interest just to show up just to bash people that are interested in helping...this post was started by a new person that wanted opinions and suggestions and hasn't used it before..topic don't interest you, don't participate
This is why you see no post in the CVO section and limited post just about everywhere else these days on HDforums .
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,922
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
why do people that have no interest in a topic suddenly find interest just to show up just to bash people that are interested in helping...this post was started by a new person that wanted opinions and suggestions and hasn't used it before..topic don't interest you, don't participate
BTW.. The heel shifter off the back looks like a good idea. While I don't care for heel shifters, one that hangs off the back could be used for finding neutral on the M8s as it seems to take a little more force to get the in neutral. For guys that like to use heel shifters, it looks like the way to go.. For me they would not be so good for touring as I like to move my feet all over the floor board..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 13,982
From: Northern New Jersey
I have been considering a touring bike and rented an M8 this weekend. I really like the bike but coming off standards and sportier bikes, I can't figure out any use for the heel toe shifter other than to confine the left foot. Shifting with my toe is much more sensitive and more natural but maybe because what I am used to. Am I missing something?