Heel shifter...
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 532
Likes: 64
From: Manitoba, Canada
I was told at a police motor training school years ago that the heel shifter was a police request way back when to prevent the high shine police boots from getting scuffed from using a toe shifter only. Don't know if thats the case or not, I always thought they were there to mimic the look from when H-D used the foot clutch and it had a front and rear pedal.
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.
On Hdforums there is great hatred for heel shifters, Screamin Eagle exhaust gaskets and any rear shock that isn't Ohlins.
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.
On Hdforums there is great hatred for heel shifters, Screamin Eagle exhaust gaskets and any rear shock that isn't Ohlins.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,760
Likes: 22,963
From: North Carolina
The great thing is you have the option of doing it either way that best works for you. And then the adjustments up and down, plus the floor board extensions.
Pick what works best for you.
I love the heal shifter. My wife thinks it is SEXY when my feet are up on on he highway pegs and I reach back with my left foot to down shift!!!
That is reason enough for me to keep it.
Don't forget to wave.
Pick what works best for you.
I love the heal shifter. My wife thinks it is SEXY when my feet are up on on he highway pegs and I reach back with my left foot to down shift!!!
That is reason enough for me to keep it.
Don't forget to wave.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
It took me a while to get used to the heel shifter, but once I did, there is no going back. I keep a good shine on all my shoes, this really helps. For a few months I would catch myself wanting to slip a toe under the shifter from time to time, but I don't think about it any more. And you don't just stomp it - you really get a feel for it. For example, when I stop for fuel, I usually shift right on into neutral either up or down, no problem.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 600
From: SoCal.....I'm only here for the weather
Size 13 boot. 54 years on bikes. Never used one until I bought my Ultra.
Now I will never take it off. Down shift on forward lever and upshift on rear. Pretty ingenious really, once you get used to it.
And the upside is that your left boot toe will always look as good as the right.
Whenever in a crowd of bikers, just look at their boots. You can quickly tell the baggers from the rest of the crowd.
Now I will never take it off. Down shift on forward lever and upshift on rear. Pretty ingenious really, once you get used to it.
And the upside is that your left boot toe will always look as good as the right.
Whenever in a crowd of bikers, just look at their boots. You can quickly tell the baggers from the rest of the crowd.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 1,966
From: Great State of Canada
Size 13 boot. 54 years on bikes. Never used one until I bought my Ultra.
Now I will never take it off. Down shift on forward lever and upshift on rear. Pretty ingenious really, once you get used to it.
And the upside is that your left boot toe will always look as good as the right. Whenever in a crowd of bikers, just look at their boots. You can quickly tell the baggers from the rest of the crowd.
Now I will never take it off. Down shift on forward lever and upshift on rear. Pretty ingenious really, once you get used to it.
And the upside is that your left boot toe will always look as good as the right.
Whenever in a crowd of bikers, just look at their boots. You can quickly tell the baggers from the rest of the crowd.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 492
From: Heart of Georgia
I too wear a size 13 boot. I rode from 1976 until this year without ever having tried a heel toe shifter. Then I bought a Road Glide Ultra and it came with one. It took me a while to get used to it but now I don't know how I ever lived without it. And no, it doesn't get in the way of my big ol' foot. My advice is don't take it off until you've worked with it long enough to be sure whether or not you like it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,521
Likes: 57,072
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Size 13 boot. 54 years on bikes. Never used one until I bought my Ultra.
Now I will never take it off. Down shift on forward lever and upshift on rear. Pretty ingenious really, once you get used to it.
And the upside is that your left boot toe will always look as good as the right. Whenever in a crowd of bikers, just look at their boots. You can quickly tell the baggers from the rest of the crowd.
Now I will never take it off. Down shift on forward lever and upshift on rear. Pretty ingenious really, once you get used to it.
And the upside is that your left boot toe will always look as good as the right.
Whenever in a crowd of bikers, just look at their boots. You can quickly tell the baggers from the rest of the crowd.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 191
From: Boise, Idaho
I need the heal shifter, I have nerve damage in my left leg that makes utilizing only the toe shifter extremely difficult. I like them.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,877
Likes: 659
From: Yuba City, Ca.
This is the first bike ever I've owned with one. I didn't know what to think of it at first. After using it, count me in as another who likes the heel shifter. I just find it easier with size 12 boots to step down on it with my heel to shift.
