Using the toe-heel shifter
Novice
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
The only problem i have with the heel shifter is that i ride my ironhead from the forward peg shifting with my heel (down to downshift) and sometimes on my RK i get it backwards when using the heel toe. I think time will take care of this.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
Don't give a crap about scuffing my boots. They're riding boots! But, like many, when I first rode the bike, I thought it was in the way of my size 12's. But after I put the floorboard extensions on that was less of an issue. Now I really like the heel shifter, especially in the upper gears and when I am coming off the highway pegs. From a stop I usually use the toe shifter just out of force of habit. I probably use the heel shifter about half the time shifting 4-5-6.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
and, i've never owned a metric... pffffffbbbbbtttttttt!!!!
Last edited by skratch; Oct 5, 2012 at 10:54 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 944
Likes: 2
From: Ct
I love my heel shifter, I am so used to it I dont even think about it.,
I only use the toe for first or downshifting.
Its one of those things I never knew about until I had one on my first Harley and since I havent looked back,.
Lump
I only use the toe for first or downshifting.
Its one of those things I never knew about until I had one on my first Harley and since I havent looked back,.
Lump
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,075
Likes: 11,096
From: San Diego, CA
It's been on every bike I've had since and I've used it. I like it....
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 507
Likes: 5
From: Florida
I started out not feeling quite right when I got my first bike with the heel toe shifter. In time, I got used to it. I can now switch from a heel toe shifter equipped bike to a toe shifter with no transition problem.
Last edited by CWO USN; Oct 5, 2012 at 01:15 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
At first, it took me a little while (week or two) to get used to the heel shifter, then I started to kinda like it. But the final nail in the coffin for the heal shifter and me was when I inadvertently downshifted a couple of times when I meant to be upshifting.
You get used to stepping "down" with your heel to upshift and on occasion I would just space out and step "down" with my toe. After a couple of those situations I decided the heel shifter had to go. It's gone now and I'm never looking back.
Now every upshift is "up", and every downshift is "down". I do it instinctively. With two shifters that process was just not as instinctive to me and sometimes I'd find myself thinking about shifting, and even f-up every now and then.
You get used to stepping "down" with your heel to upshift and on occasion I would just space out and step "down" with my toe. After a couple of those situations I decided the heel shifter had to go. It's gone now and I'm never looking back.
Now every upshift is "up", and every downshift is "down". I do it instinctively. With two shifters that process was just not as instinctive to me and sometimes I'd find myself thinking about shifting, and even f-up every now and then.