Adding heel shifter?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 809
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
Advantage: You up-shift by pressing down with heel which is eaiser than finding the shifter with the toe and lifting (in some riders opinion including mine).
Disadvantage: For those with large feet, the heel hifter constrains the movement of the left foot on the foot board (for some riders this is anoying).
Disadvantage: For those with large feet, the heel hifter constrains the movement of the left foot on the foot board (for some riders this is anoying).
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 335
Likes: 58
From: Camarillo, Ca
Advantage: No more wear marks/holes in the top of your boots.
Once I went to heal shifters, I never looked back. Size 11 boots no problems when adjusted for me.
Once I went to heal shifters, I never looked back. Size 11 boots no problems when adjusted for me.
Last edited by Felix 808; Sep 7, 2018 at 02:38 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 242
From: Glen Mills, PA
I took the heel shifter off my Road King. I did not care to basically lift my leg to get my heel over the rear shifter and i now have more boot room on my floor board.
I tried using it for years and finally ditched it. They do sell extended versions that may have been better but it was just not for me. Some people love them.
I tried using it for years and finally ditched it. They do sell extended versions that may have been better but it was just not for me. Some people love them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
My bike came with one. I figured I'd give it a try for a couple of days before removing it. By the time I'd ridden the bike home from the dealership I was sold. I'm not sure I could ride without one (or want to).
Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 329
Likes: 56
From: Fulltime RVer, Wherever!
Love my heel shifter on my 17 Heritage.
Biggest disadvantage? Riding my wife's Sportster 1200C and damn near driving my foot through the ground. Multiple times, until I get used to not having a heel shifter.
Biggest disadvantage? Riding my wife's Sportster 1200C and damn near driving my foot through the ground. Multiple times, until I get used to not having a heel shifter.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,808
Likes: 3,809
From: Cape Cod
I have an extended rear lever and it gives me all the room I need on the boards........love it!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 7,702
Likes: 17,167
From: MA
Love it. My only disadvantage was it rattled off on a trip to Maine this summer. Somewhere on the highway, sits my heel shifter! Quick stop to Laconia HD, bought a new one, put it on-problem solved!!!
I love them. Any bike I own going forward will have one.
I love them. Any bike I own going forward will have one.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 443
From: PNW
It can be the difference between riding and not if you have a gout flareup in your left big toe. 
Personally though I don't care for them. Had heel/toe on my VTX for nine years and never used the heel lever, except for one or two occasions when it was either that or not riding. I'm glad they did away with them on the Fat Boy.
Personally though I don't care for them. Had heel/toe on my VTX for nine years and never used the heel lever, except for one or two occasions when it was either that or not riding. I'm glad they did away with them on the Fat Boy.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,211
From: San Diego, CA
I first used a heel/toe shifter on my '89 Heritage.... I previously had a mid control '79 FXS, and then a mid control '80 FXS, that I switched to forward controls. Both those bikes had toe only shifters. After about a day on the '89 Heritage, I was sold on the heel/toe... I don't stomp on the shift levers, but find it easier, more comfortable, to shift.
I have the heel/toe on my current bikes; '16 Classic & '03 Heritage. They both have footboards
I recently bought an '01 FXSTS... Love the bike. It has forward controls, foot pegs instead of floor boards, and a toe only shifter.... I rode it around for about 2-3 months, and then added a heel/toe shifter to that bike. Makes it a lot easier switching between bikes.... and works just as well, for me, on foot pegs as it does on footboards..
If it's for your 2018 FLSB, you'll need two shift levers and a longer shifter shaft... then you'll be set!
I have the heel/toe on my current bikes; '16 Classic & '03 Heritage. They both have footboards
I recently bought an '01 FXSTS... Love the bike. It has forward controls, foot pegs instead of floor boards, and a toe only shifter.... I rode it around for about 2-3 months, and then added a heel/toe shifter to that bike. Makes it a lot easier switching between bikes.... and works just as well, for me, on foot pegs as it does on footboards..
If it's for your 2018 FLSB, you'll need two shift levers and a longer shifter shaft... then you'll be set!
Last edited by hattitude; Sep 7, 2018 at 06:09 PM.