View Poll Results: Who uses a Heal Shifter

I use a heal shifter

860

59.89%

I DO NOT use a heal shifter

576

40.11%

Voters: 1436. You may not vote on this poll

Heel Shifter Poll

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Feb 6, 2010 | 08:42 AM

#161

DaveMK

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,083

Likes: 338

From: Upstate, SC

I put my size 15 boot on the floorboard and decided it was to restrictive. I've never tried using it. It comes off before I leave the dealership.

Feb 6, 2010 | 09:09 AM

#162

Bazzking

Cruiser

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 106

Likes: 0

From: NW Ohio

I always use my heel shifter I really like it, me and my wife both have Roadking Classics and she didn't like hers so I took it off and bought the shaft cover for it. Now when I take her bike for a ride after servicing it I always miss 2nd gear the first time.

Feb 6, 2010 | 10:31 AM

#163

bjones

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 79

Likes: 0

From: Columbus, N.C.

Removed heel shifter, never used it much. It is easier to clean that area now and is a cleaner look.

Feb 7, 2010 | 10:03 AM

#164

jim_w

6th Gear

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: central Florida

I use it, if I can remember to...

Feb 7, 2010 | 02:54 PM

#165

Captain Bligh

Road Captain

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 539

Likes: 7

From: Indiana

I love the heel shift and wouldn't be without it. Stock set-up creates no problems for my size 13 boots.

Feb 7, 2010 | 03:16 PM

#166

Chilibiker

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 75

Likes: 0

New to HDs...first thing I did was remove it. Question: what is the history of the heel shifter? Is it a nostalgia thing? Curious.

Feb 7, 2010 | 04:15 PM

#167

DMetcalf

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 669

Likes: 16

From: Princeton, Texas

I use mine and when I rode a buddys bike that didn't have it... I really missed it. To each their own...

Feb 7, 2010 | 04:41 PM

#168

Intrepid175

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 1,383

Likes: 3

From: Texas City, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chilibiker

New to HDs...first thing I did was remove it. Question: what is the history of the heel shifter? Is it a nostalgia thing? Curious.

This is JMO but from what I remember, back in the early days (read: anything before 1970 or so), heel/toe shifters were the norm rather than the exception that they seem to be today. It was also not uncommon that the layout of shifter and rear brake, as well as the shift patterns were not necessarily consistent between brands. For example, the first bike I learned to ride had a right foot shift and a four speed tranny. It was a 1 down, 3 up pattern with neutral between first and second gear as it usually is today. It also had a heel shifter but I never used that. I've also ridden bikes that had a 1 up (for first) 3 down (second, third, forth, etc.) pattern and neutral could be all the way up or all the way down instead of in between first and second.

Anyway, as time when on, especially when the Japanese bikes became more and more popular, the heel shifter was phased out over time. Looking back on it, I think it was more economics than anything else. Saving $1.50 on the production of each bike adds up!

In Harley's case, the heel shifter is traditional, as is most aspects of their product line but as you can tell from this thread, there are still plenty of folks who prefer having it. I think you'll find that, in general, most of us that don't use the heel shifter learned on and have ridden bikes that didn't have them in the first place. Those that do use it have probably spent most of their time on Harley's or other bikes that do have the heel shift. I'm sure there will exceptions to that however.

FWIW!

Ride Safe,
Steve R.

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Feb 7, 2010 | 05:18 PM

#169

mongomark

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 783

Likes: 66

From: Sacramento

I've found for speed shifting, having my heal poised above the heal shifter, I can bang quicker shifts. Before the Harley, I've never had one, now that I've got one, I really like it.