View Poll Results: do you use heel shifter?
yes
678
58.55%
no
381
32.90%
sometimes
99
8.55%
Voters: 1158. You may not vote on this poll
do you use heel shifter?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 752
Likes: 23
From: Acton, CA
On my first bike with a heel shifter, the first couple of days I didn't use it, and I kept getting annoyed because I would constantly hit it by mistake when putting my foot up on the board after take-off, and causing it to shift to second... so I decided to actually try and use it to see if I would like it. It took me just that ride to appreciate the heel shifter once I actually tried it. I really like it and would feel very strange now not shifting with the heel.
Two bikes later, I still use the heel shifter all the time now (occasionally I will still shift with the toe, just to make sure it also still comes naturally), but it's nice not have a scuff on my boots from the toe shifter, and heel shifting is very comfortable and convenient to use, and very easy to get used to, once I gave it a try, and stopped trying to fight it... and as Ronp42 above said, it also makes it easier to find Neutral.... speaking of that... I wish Harley would have some sort of positive Neutral finder system like some Kawasakis... Neutral was always very easy to find on their bikes, and always works the first time. Small price to give up though for a greater ride.
Two bikes later, I still use the heel shifter all the time now (occasionally I will still shift with the toe, just to make sure it also still comes naturally), but it's nice not have a scuff on my boots from the toe shifter, and heel shifting is very comfortable and convenient to use, and very easy to get used to, once I gave it a try, and stopped trying to fight it... and as Ronp42 above said, it also makes it easier to find Neutral.... speaking of that... I wish Harley would have some sort of positive Neutral finder system like some Kawasakis... Neutral was always very easy to find on their bikes, and always works the first time. Small price to give up though for a greater ride.
Last edited by caberto; Nov 1, 2010 at 10:25 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 60
From: Chesterfield, VA
forgot how to shift without it ...... I love it
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
Some have suggested that rider size and/or build may play a part in whether or not they like the heal shifter. I suppose that's a possibility but I simply think it's personal preference. To me, it seemed more logical to pull UP on the toe side to UP shift than to push DOWN on the heal side to UP shift but really, it's no big deal either way. Both methods work and to each their own!! 
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
I plan on removing mine soon, but I could see some people using it if they wear tennis shoes or they don't like marking up their boots. For me, I don't think it saves me any time and I'm use to just using the toe shifter.
