Heel/Toe Shifter question?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 10
From: Rhode island
I have size 12's and don't have any problems. I like having the heel shifter, and always use it now but at first I adjusted the toe shifter up so I could up and down shift with the toe and still have the heel
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
I wear a size 14 shoe and have no problem with the heel/toe shifter. I keep the toe shifter in a higher position than most people, which allows me to slide my foot farther forward on the floorboard. I love heel shifting. Back when I used to rent bikes, heel shifting was pretty much my only option, because my "Herman Munster" feet would never fit under the toe shifter on the rental bikes. I became a heel shifter by necessity. And besides... you don't get that ugly black mark on top of your left shoe.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
I got rid of mine. Having a history with sport bikes, it was hard enough to get used to putting my feet forward on the boards. I didn't want to damage something if I accidentally hit heel shifter while threading my feet between the two levers.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 34
From: Maryland
Not a big foot (size 10) but looove the heel/toe! Something to be said for keeping your boots looking better longer. I do keep them adjusted super low so I don't lift my foot far. You can get extensions but never looked up cost. You can also push the floorboards outward a bit to widen your stance, and keep your feet further away from shifter when you want. I also strongly recommend highway pegs. Depending on where you ride you might find you don't have your feet on your floorboards that much.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 2
I wear 12-13, depending on brand and so forth. I didn't have too much of an issue fitting the stock heel-toe shifter. HOWEVER, I got rid of the heel shifter after a couple months. Got used to using it, but it wasn't as fluid as just using the toe-shifter. The big, major reason I dropped it was because I eventually found it DANGEROUS! I always wear jeans when riding, and I can't promise that all my jeans have perfect hems. What ended up becoming an ongoing problem was that the heel shifter would get caught up in the loose strings of my jeans and get stuck. Meaning that when I would come to a light, I could not put my left leg down to catch the bike. Thankfully, I was always able to fully support the bike on my right, but it would catch me off-guard at times. A couple times, the only way out was to cut my jeans loose with a pocket knife. So, I fully dropped the heel shifter and replaced it with a little chrome cap that covered the end of the shifter shaft.
Just my opinion, but you're better off without it.
Just my opinion, but you're better off without it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: n
I have one now and one on my old RK. I used it for awhile on the RK. I would like to take it off my Heritage as between it and th RK I have worn a groove in the inside aft end of my boot. I don't want to take it off as I think the shaft will look funky as it is long enough for both shifters, and if I cut it off it will rust. No issues other than that and it is really bad habit on my part where I rest my foot.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 312
From: Out of Commiefornia!
I'm size 12, and it only took a couple of rides to get used to the shift setup for me. I much prefer it now, as before the tops of my shifter-side shoes were always jacked from the shifter shmegma.
Similar to getting used to the floorboards - just takes a little bit and it becomes second nature.
Roger
Similar to getting used to the floorboards - just takes a little bit and it becomes second nature.
Roger
