Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Question on Heel/Toe Shifter on TBA

Hey Everybody!

First, I'm thinking about buying the Floorboards for my America. I see to be city driving more than I thought and am hoping that the floorboards will make me feel like I have more control than the front pegs. Any opinions on that?

If I go with the floorboards, should I get the heel/toe shifter kit? I haven't heard many good things about it. But then again, I really haven't heard much about it at all.

Thnx,
Sean

07 America Blue & White

The Triumph footboard kit was one of the first things I put on my bike and it was one of the best additions. I've never used the rocker lever with them, however. I'd try the boards first before considering the lever. Then maybe see if you can score a lever used.

What are opinions on heel/toe shifters, whether with pegs or boards? Safe/unsafe? I just don't like shifting up with the toe-lift. Reading around the web, seems just comfort level issue with what is most natural, learned first.

I would assume a good one has shorter heel leverage than the toe, since easier to push down with heel, and you don't want it too easy, to avoid mistaken or unwanted shifts. Any recommendation on specific part(s)?

Ride On...

I think the floorboards are great, but question them if you are riding round town all the time. I find them very comfortable on a run, but a bit of a bind around town in slow moving traffic.

But saying that I would not be without them. The heel/toe shifter is down to preference I have never had one and find that changing gear is no real hassle with the boards on anyway.

I would definately try some boards before shelling out the cash as they are not cheap

It's a LOT easier and quicker to just flick yer toe to upshift and tap to downshift than to rock yer entire ankle . Spend your money on something else .

As far as I am concerned, there is only one bike that has the correct heel toe shifter. Unfortunately it’s not Triumph.

Ever since I owned a KZ1000 Police bike, no H/T shifter can compete. The Triumph set up along with a Fat Boy and a Moto Guzzi California; you have to really lift up your foot for your heel. Whereas on the KZP man it was click click right there. Unless you plan on modifying don’t bother with one.

I have the triumph floor bds, love them and once you adjust the spacing for the shifter (by using the shifter connecting rod) you will have no problems. I wear my steel toe flight deck boots w/ them and its fine.

PS. keep an eye on the mouning bolts. my left one was backing out about 5 months after it was on. I took them off and put some Lock Tight on and no problems since.

one could diddle with their toe to try to find the right gear

OR one could use the rocker shifter to kick up or down to shift

hmmm toe diddle or kick it

I love my rocker shifter never any issues and I have a size 12 foot.

Scott

got a picture of it oregonrider? I'd be interested in seeing how it sits on the floorboards. Actually, do you even have the floorboards?

I posted a huge thread recently about the floorboards....lots of good info in. I think I mentioned why I didn't go with the heel shifter.

They are VERY comfy to ride with. I makes it a completely different ride.

of course like so many other accessories and riding styles; so much of it is a matter of preference.

i ran with floor boards and H/T shifter for a few years. in the process of bringing Blue back to being a skinny girl i put the front pegs back on; but kept the H/T shifter in place. even with the pegs, more often than not, i use the heel portion to up shift when i utilize the mid pegs.
actually, even from the front peg i use the heel portion too. old habit, maybe.

i have no desire to go back to the stock shifter. i'll leave straight toe shifting for the FZ6.

i suppose the point of my babble is this: we can ask for all the opinions about rider comfort and the accessories that provide said comfort; but when it comes right down to basics, our decisions need to be based on what works best for us individually.

(man, who got her started up today?)

Sean...here's some pix. Once you master the technique, you'll wonder how you got along without it. Don

Toe Down, Heel Up... I miss a heel toe shifter and am tempted to get one for my Speedy. My Drifter had one. They are great.

I've got the heel/toe shifter mounted with Kuryakyn ISO pegs right now - the only problem I notice is a tendency for my pant leg to occasionally get caught on the heel shifter when I take my foot off to come to a stop. Sorta pulls the bike over to the left, which can be disconcerting. I've also noticed that I really only use it for 2nd gear - I'll stomp on it, then use the toe shifter for 3rd-5th. That said, I'd probably use the heel shifter more if I had the floorboards.

I sometimes get my pant legs caught too, but I love the heel-toe!

I wear the Gusset Defender Jeans that have a tapered leg and a velcro strap that helps tighten things down. Haven't got caught up yet.
http://www.gussetclothing.com/defend.html

I have the floorboards and the heal/toe shifter i would not go back to standed shifter i did find that the rear rubber on the shifter was taking up floorboard room so i took that one of and now find it very good