View Poll Results: Heel to Toe Shifters--what is your preference?
Heel and Toe?
332
59.82%
Toe Only
223
40.18%
Voters: 555. You may not vote on this poll
Heel to Toe Shifters?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 645
Likes: 15
From:
Bill
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: montgomery, il.
i can tell most of you never rode a HD from the 60's or 70's you needed the heel/toe for the leverage/weight of your boot to shift them plus it keeps your boots nice by not wearing a spot in the leather. 
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Florida and East Tennessee
I'm amazed at the number of people who say they use the toe shifter only. I've used the heel shifter for about 40 years and wouldn't want it any other way.
My very first bike, a BSA, had only a toe shifter and I hated that thing. It also had only a center stand (not a side stand) and I hated that too....... but I guess that's another thread.
My very first bike, a BSA, had only a toe shifter and I hated that thing. It also had only a center stand (not a side stand) and I hated that too....... but I guess that's another thread.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Florida and East Tennessee
Heel Shifter for Me
To add to my previous comments, a heel shifter is a much more positive way of shifting gears. It's much easier to exert a force downward with my heel than it is to pull upward with my toe. Also, the heel shifter doesn't mess up the shine on my boot toe.
Here is a question for those who favor the toe shifter. Is it because your previous bike(s) had a toe shifter and that's what you got used to and find it hard to change?
Here is a question for those who favor the toe shifter. Is it because your previous bike(s) had a toe shifter and that's what you got used to and find it hard to change?
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
From: Jaw-Jaw (Near The BIG Chicken!)
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 0
From: Way..Northern California
To add to my previous comments, a heel shifter is a much more positive way of shifting gears. It's much easier to exert a force downward with my heel than it is to pull upward with my toe. Also, the heel shifter doesn't mess up the shine on my boot toe.
Here is a question for those who favor the toe shifter. Is it because your previous bike(s) had a toe shifter and that's what you got used to and find it hard to change?
Here is a question for those who favor the toe shifter. Is it because your previous bike(s) had a toe shifter and that's what you got used to and find it hard to change?
1) That's all my bike came with (previous owner had removed it)
2) My leg is strong enough to lift the shifter to change gears.
3) I don't shine my riding boots.
Who knows, some day I may get a heal shifter and like it...just not today.
My brother came for a visit a while back from the east coast and complained that my bike did not have the heal shifter, turns out he likes to ride in his flip flops, something I would never do, so he had to wear shoes to ride my bike.