Toe-to-Heel shifter.....
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 1
From: malibu
I really likes to use the heel shifter too. Last weekend I pulled it in favor of a really nice Carl brouhard toe shifter. It looked great but I couldn't get used to not 'mashing' down on the heel. I feel I could get quicker shifts with the heel as well. And on top of it all, I like to wear Converse or Vans when I ride in the summer/fall. The toe shifter was wearing away the kicks on on the toe. Took it off after the weekend and now it's a real pretty paperweight.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
My new2me 2003 FLHTCUI is my first bike with a heel-toe shifter. I've tried heel shifting, but I don't see any advantage to it. I don't mind it there, I rest the back of my boot against it, and use it as a reference point.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
The heel/toe shift will not take any getting used to. First time you ride you'll be good with it. The biggest thing for me on the Fatboy was how shallow the lean angle is with the floorboards. It still freaks me out a bit when I grind the boards unexpectedly. Enjoy!
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: Not too far up the BC border
I like the heel-toe shifter, it doesn't scuff up the top of my boot as I always use the heel shifter. I have a size 12 boot and no, there isn't enough room on the floorboard and my toes hang over the front under the toe shifter.
I set the hiway pegs down lower so they can be used more as footrests and I didn't know how handy they were until I started to use them more as footrests and not as hiway pegs. I have to lift them up a bit cause its more of a pain to have to lift my foot up and over to apply the rear brake since I can't adjust the height of the brake pedal without replacing the entire linkage
I set the hiway pegs down lower so they can be used more as footrests and I didn't know how handy they were until I started to use them more as footrests and not as hiway pegs. I have to lift them up a bit cause its more of a pain to have to lift my foot up and over to apply the rear brake since I can't adjust the height of the brake pedal without replacing the entire linkage
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: Miami County, Ohio
I came from a FX Springer with forward control to a Heritage. I was unsure so even before I brought it home, I had the nut that covered the heel shifter.
Within the first minute of using the heel shifter, I was hooked! I could not think of going back to a toe shifter.
I have fond (!) memories of bruises top of my feet with my old rigids.
There is something nice about mashing down on the shifter too with the heel,
Within the first minute of using the heel shifter, I was hooked! I could not think of going back to a toe shifter.
I have fond (!) memories of bruises top of my feet with my old rigids.
There is something nice about mashing down on the shifter too with the heel,
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 471
Likes: 19
From: Grapeland Texas
My pant legs have caught the heel shifter 3 times and snatched it into 1st gear while I was getting on. Lucky I was on dirt every time and it just spun down. Mine came off.
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Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 112
From: Florida
Thanks guys! Lots of good responses. So far I like Misbehaven's idea to lower the heel shifter so it's just high enough to function and still be able to rest the heel of my boot against it. Now all that's left is for me to pick up the fat boy. What a great forum this is!
