Heel toe mishap

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May 23, 2015 | 03:03 PM

#61

BoonDock_Saint

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 2,059

Likes: 4

From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIPbiker13

Stock rubber peg, and I never adjusted it, so stock height. Rode that way for the last 4 years and 31k miles. It was a freak accident but my pant leg got caught before when I was riding so I decided then I'd remove it if it ever happened again. Just didn't expect to fall when it did. I adapt quickly so after a good ride, I doubt I'll miss a shift. Pants were wet from a long rainy ride. Levis jeans, boot cut, mild flare so they fit over the boots I always wear. I don't sag my jeans and there aren't baggy. I carry a gun on my hip so at least I'm glad the gun was on the other side. That might have hurt.

Thanks for indulging my curiosity. Without any real evidence, I'm going to blame it on the height of that rubber peg combined with the slight flare of your jeans. I wear 501's mostly so I guess boot cut jeans are just wide enough to get over the peg. I used to hack off the bottom half of those things to get the shifter closer to the board not for safety but convenience. i'm interested in this because I think the heel shifter is the best thing since sliced bread and don't want to have an issue like you did.

Happy Motoring!

May 23, 2015 | 04:15 PM

#62

Warp Factor

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 3,217

Likes: 90

From: Detroit

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoonDock_Saint

I'm really being serious here, how does this happen? I TRIED to get my pants leg caught last night (in the garage) and couldn't do it even at weird angles that I wouldn't normally be in. I watched my pant leg while riding and flapping a little still can't see how it's possible.

That's why it sneaks up on you, and comes as a total surprise when it finally happens. Just like when you've been riding for 30 years, and a car never pulled out in front of you so close that there was no way to avoid it. Then you finally T-bone some car that did, and your opinion changes.

On another tangent, I'm a big fan of the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Why have two levers, when one will do just fine, fine enough to be adequate for race bikes? And from a comfort standpoint, that extra lever really limits your foot repositioning options on long rides. Aside from that, if most of us wanted extra levers and push-buttons and electric peter-heaters, we'd be on the geezer-glide forums.

Regarding posts in this thread about the extra lever saving wear-and-tear on the top of your shoe:
Why would any Harley rider give a chit? Have we become preppies riding around in Gucci loafers?
Going further, if one is buys quality boots with the leather dyed all the way through (rather than just a coating on the surface), one can probably ride at least 50K miles or so without much of a noticeable difference.

Last edited by Warp Factor; May 23, 2015 at 04:46 PM.

May 23, 2015 | 04:41 PM

#63

Joe_G

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 2,721

Likes: 103

From: St. Louis, MO

I just went for a ride, and I noticed my typical jeans I ride in (Sliders w/ Kevlar) are about 2" above the rear shifter and tight to my boot, due to the clip on the front holding them down so they don't blow up when my feet are on the pegs.

This is why I've never had this problem, I guess I wear high-water jeans! lol