Heel shifter?

[Casper]

Love it, wouldn't be without my heal shifter...FYI..it was put into use for police motor officers so they would mar their riding boots, toe shine.

I really like it....but different strokes for different folks....

 

[GARYD]

Wouldn't have a bike without one. I use mine 95% of the time. I adjusted mine so that I don't even have to lift my foot up to use it -I just slide my foot back. A few years ago a gal in front of me lost her toe lever. We took the heel lever and put it on the front.

 

[Fredward]

Mine is similarly adjusted. The dealer went to a lot of trouble setting me up.

 

[mirider]

I adjusted my heel shifter one spline down. Allows it to slightly compress the rubber floorboard insert when I use it. Heel lift is way less and makes it much more comfortable to us

Thanks for the tip.....never thought of that. Adjusted mine down yesterday and what a difference. :clapping:

 

[GARYD]

Thanks for the tip.....never thought of that. Adjusted mine down yesterday and what a difference. :clapping:

See! You can teach an old dog new tricks.

 

[hardwickbv]

Think I will keep it

After reading all the comments and talking with a couple guys local.

I think I will leave it on for a while, I have tried it the last couple trips out and believe once I remember it and actually use it a while I might like it.

It is easier to up shift pushing down rather than pulling up with the toe.

I do need to adjust it down some to make it easier to get my heel on it.

Thanks for all the comments

Bob

 

[427dave]

For me I wouldnt have any Bagger or trike that didnt have the heel shifter,once you get used to them they are great.But opinions vary.

I love my heel/toe shifter. It took a little while to get use to using it but I love it now. It is sort of like getting use to the 1 down 3 up shift after having English bikes that were 1 up and 3 down.

 

[Downtown Cowtown]

First, I fought with the idea of a windshield. I got a windshield and would never have a bike afterwards that didn't have one. Second, I fought with the idea of a radio. I got a radio and would never have a motorcycle without one again. Third, I fought with the idea of a heel shifter. My Road King has the extended heel shifter, and I liked it so much that when I rode my FXR I made one for it too.

Getting spoiled I guess.....

Getting smart i call it, the vanity of the old days passes into the common sense of today, i said that. :cxtv:

 

[GARYD]

I forgot to mention it, but Lee jogged my memory. I also installed the extended heel shifter which makes a world of difference.

 

[pioneer11]

I never had a heel shifter before my Freewheeler and it took me a while to get used to it. Now i love it.

 

[v4bob49]

Well I got rid of the heel shifter on my last two bikes. Just couldn't get used to it, and they got in the way of moving my foot around on the floorboard. So when I got the Tri-Glide, I took it off immediately after I got it home. Two of my riding buddies have also removed the heel shifter. My brother on the other hand loves it. So I guess it's just a matter of personal preference.

 

[rwmrfm]

My triglide has the heel shifter which is a new thing for me since I haven't rode in 20-25 years. Not sure they were even around back then.

Question is do people really use them much, I am thinking of getting rid of mine as I never used one before and really haven't gotten used to it being an option while riding.

Sell me one way or the other!

Thanks

Bob

Hi Bob I really don't use use the heel shifter. I guess I'm old school a toe man. However, if it's not in your way I would leave it on the bike. A friend took his off and then hurt his foot and could not shift. So you guessed it he had to put it back on for the up shift.

Cheers

Bob

 

[GARYD]

1. Like I said earlier, we had a gal loose her toe shifter on a ride - so we removed the heel shifter and mounted it in front - problem averted. I've heard of lots or riders loosing their toe shifter = common problem =?

2. If you want to use it, but it gets in the way = get the extended lever = problem solved - plus you have a back up lever.

 

[trikermutha]

I don't know how you loose a toe shifter unless the bolt falls out completely and then the heal shifter.

How would you not notice this when you are riding and shifting?

Moving the shifter from one spot to the other moves the way the bolt hole faces

 

[oldNbold]

Removing my heel shifter. Just gets in my way and I wont miss it.

 

[GARYD]

I don't know how you loose a toe shifter unless the bolt falls out completely and then the heal shifter.

How would you not notice this when you are riding and shifting?

Moving the shifter from one spot to the other moves the way the bolt hole faces

The gal that was in front of me lost hers on a ride and it hit the ground and bounced up just missing my head. If I was quicker I could have grabbed it.

Poor maintainence is my guess if one falls off. I've herd a few stories about that. If the rear one is tight it won't fall off even if the front one does.

The heal shifter is behind the toe shifter.

She did notice it - as soon as it fell off.

I'm glad she didn't panic and slam on the brakes. She kept the clutch in until she got off the road and then turned the bike off.

I always check the tightness before a ride. Same with the highway bars - I lost one on a trip a few years back.

 

[GARYD]

You may if someday you get a broken toe - or - loose the toe shifter - it could happen.

Just curious - how does it get in the way?

 

[rhino 2]

In the state of California the heal shifter has been known to cause Cancer

 

[hardwickbv]

Update

Over the last couple weeks I have made a concerted effort to use the heel shifter and am liking it.

It does take a bit to get used to but once I made it a habit it is starting to feel awkward to use the Toe shifter to shift up.

I do believe I will be getting an extended arm in the near future to give me more room on the floorboard and this will allow me to lower it a notch or two to make it easier to get my heel over it.

I did try lowering it without the extended arm but did not like the fact that it would hit the floorboard pad when shifting. It probably isn't a problem but I didn't like the idea.

I have also added DK's Extended floorboard kit and highly recommend putting that on.

Thanks for all the input

Bob

 

[Trailridr]

I've never ridden with one except for the ride from the dealer to home, and it wouldn't allow me to place my left foot comfortably on the floorboards. That was the first thing I took off as soon as I got home. Never had one before and I certainly don't miss it.

Trail Rider