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I just took the heel shifter off and put one of those chrome caps from HD to put on the end of the shaft. I’ll be taking it for a ride later. At the dealer I was surprised by how many new bikes don’t have a heel shifter.
H-D eliminated the heel shifter on all '20 models with the exception of CVO's
I only wear a size 9.5 boot, and it was tight for me with the heel shifter, not sure how you guys with 12 and 13's do it lol, I removed it today, so much better! and I'll be damn if I was going to pay $30+ for a spacer, I made one for less than $4, quick trip to my local hardware store, some cutting and grinding to size, and some black paint and...boom!
I used the heal shifter for 10 years and was okay with it. Then HD took them off and I thought yeah that is how I learned and rode for so long so I took my off. Wow much better. Just using the toe is so much quicker and efficient. Way more room on the floorboards! The only down side is a wear spot on your boots, which I think gives them character.
The wear spot is the cleanest part of me or the bike.
I was behind a young guy in stop and go traffic and mesmerized by his enthusiastic stomp shifting. It was exhausting just to watch. I couldn't help but wonder what he was doing to the innards of that poor transmission.
First thing I took off my bagger was the heal shifter. I slide my feet up and down all over the boards for different positions/leaning, and that damn heal shifter just gets in the way. Got no use for it.
First thing I took off my bagger was the heal shifter. I slide my feet up and down all over the boards for different positions/leaning, and that damn heal shifter just gets in the way. Got no use for it.
Same here. I've had two bikes with it, took it off as soon as I got 'em home. Don't need it, and don't want the restriction on foot position changes, on a touring bike. One of the nice things about a bike with footboards is being able to vary foot and leg position a bit during a long ride.
Haha! Guys this thread simply proves the old saying "different strokes for different folks". We ALL have preferences for most everything we do in life. A capitalist free market system gives us these choices. Enjoy your bikes as I do, doing it however makes YOU happy/comfortable. I like a heal shifter and was one of the first things I added to my bagger. Took a few miles to get used to it but I wouldn't do without it.
I wear a size 12 boots and I ALWAYS find that I rest my heel on the floorboard and my toe slightly angled up on the HW peg. I can ride for miles like that, it's just flat comfortable to me. My right foot rarely moves off the board. Again, that's what works for me.
