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I actually like the heel shifter (awarkward foot angle with floorboards and single shifter plus as mentioned it doesn't mess up the top of your shoes/boots) but it does limit foot room. Put an extended lever on and all is good.
My suggestion is to ride the bike the way it came for a short while and decide for yourself if you like it. That's a call that only you can make.
For me, it took a little getting used to. I came from a 1975 Kawasaki 900 Z1 to a Fat Boy back in 2002. But I can't imagine riding any other way now. You may feel differently. But if you don't give it a shot and just take the advice of people here who immediately say "get rid of it", you'll never know.
Move your footboards out an inch and this will give you more
room for your size 13 boots. It did for me....
I find it easier to "step down with my heel and shift" than to
"stick the toe of my boot under and shift"....
Back in 1999,I installed a "kick-shifter" on my Valkyrie shortly after I bought it,
so using the heel shifter on my Roadie just came natural.
Try using it before you take it off. You just may like it. I was prepared not to like it, but found I actually did. I still have mine and it caused no problems with my size 13 boots.
I've got size 13 boots, Love the heel shifter.
And I'm coming from both a motocross, quad atv and metric cruiser background.
Easier for me to push down on the back or front then it is to twist and sneak my boot under the shifter.
I just adjust the angle of my boot.
Personal preference 100%.
Regardless, it is far easier for me using the heel shifter than trying to upshift with the toe. I never do it except putting in neutral. I use the H-D heel shifter with the swing away peg if I want more room. Others use extended levers. It is important and more comfortable to adjust the shifter down some as others have said.
Been thinking of getting this peg. You could always do this to get use to it, and then take it off later if you still think it's a POS.
I'm so use to using the heel shifter now that when I ride my Sporty, I start to depress my heel to shift.
I didn't think I would like the heel /toe shifting when I got the Ultra, I had been toe shifting for 30 plus years. Took a while to get use to but I don't mind shifting this way. All what ya get use to.
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