Heel & Toe Lever Heights .
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Mine is set at stock as was the one on my Suzuki C50 (my Street Bob didn't have one and I really missed it). However, after reading this, I might lower the back one a bit so I don't have to lift my foot as high to shift it. I really find the downward action much more comfortable than the upward motion. I have never been able to just lift my toe. For whatever reason I have always had to actually lift my foot. So, while I love my heel-toe shifter, this thread has shown me how to make it even better. Yeah, I get its not rocket science, but then again, I am not a rocket scientist... lol
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
The FIRST thing you should do with ANY bike you are riding would be to set up ALL the controls to where they are most comfortable for you. This would include handle bars, hand controls and , foot controls. In particular, with the shift levers, I installed the longer HD billet levers. WAY more room for my foot. BTW - You'll find out that properly adjusted shift levers will make it SO much easier to find neutral!
I don't understand why dealers don't "set up" a new bike for their customers.
I don't understand why dealers don't "set up" a new bike for their customers.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 673
Likes: 19
From: Folsom, CA
Hmmmm...I haven't really given much thought to adjusting my levers...I do not use the heel shifter at all because, well I learned with just the toe. I always did feel the heel was too high. Maybe some experimentation with the heel adjustment is in order
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 53
From: Myrtle Beach,SC
Mine is set at stock as was the one on my Suzuki C50 (my Street Bob didn't have one and I really missed it). However, after reading this, I might lower the back one a bit so I don't have to lift my foot as high to shift it. I really find the downward action much more comfortable than the upward motion. I have never been able to just lift my toe. For whatever reason I have always had to actually lift my foot. So, while I love my heel-toe shifter, this thread has shown me how to make it even better. Yeah, I get its not rocket science, but then again, I am not a rocket scientist... lol
Another new member/owner question here, I noticed in your pictures that "most" of you heel & toe shifter equipped bike owners have your Levers set on the high side more so the toe lever. Was that a trial and error type setting for most of you riders, any special advantages to having them (it) set higher ? especially the toe lever, I see most photos that the toe lever is set up higher then heel lever. I know the boot needs to clear it, but in some pix it looks like its much higher then most bikes I seen on showroom floors. Thanks all.
On bikes I use heel n toe levers on I always change them for longer items so they extend beyond the floorboards a little. I then set them so they are as low as they can be and still function, this is usually so that the top of the shifter only sits an inch or so above the board. When I change gear don't really have to raise my foot much at all, simply slide forward and press down or same with heel.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: RIO GRANDE, TEXAS
i have mine setup with the front high enough so i can still get my boot under it if i want to toe shift up. The heel shiftier is set to it lowest point so i dont have to raise my heel way up to shift. Alot of times while going up the gears i just mash down on the heel shiftier to shift up then just barley lift my heel to set up for the next gear change, all the time my heel is always making contact with the lever.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 429
Likes: 4
From: St Clair County
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 878
Likes: 310
From: 23456/27948
exactly what i have recently done.
Last edited by VB2KDH; Jun 17, 2014 at 07:07 PM. Reason: added text
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 429
Likes: 4
From: St Clair County
The FIRST thing you should do with ANY bike you are riding would be to set up ALL the controls to where they are most comfortable for you. This would include handle bars, hand controls and , foot controls. In particular, with the shift levers, I installed the longer HD billet levers. WAY more room for my foot. BTW - You'll find out that properly adjusted shift levers will make it SO much easier to find neutral! I don't understand why dealers don't "set up" a new bike for their customers.
Completely agree! I'd pay an extra 50 bucks when buying a bike........... insignificant considering the total cost of the motorcycle.........