Heel Toe Shifter on a Motorcycle: How it Works & the Pro's vs Con's

The Heel Toe Shifter is an item commonly found on Cruiser Class Motorcycles, equipped with Floor Boards. This additional shifting arm has been found on Harley-Davidson motorcycles for a long time now. The heel shifter allows for the rider to use his heel by pressing down to "Up-shift" to a higher gear. This is done instead of using one's toe to lift up on the front shift peg. The heel shifter has multiple benefits explained by Matt Laidlaw in this video.

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[ms.t.g.]

As a BRAND NEW 55 yr old rider, THANK YOU! Very informative.

[bradwilliams]

I have ridden with a heel/toe shifter for 18 years, I couldn’t imagine life without it.

[danwolf]

I started out ten years ago on sports bikes and within the past three years I've had a softail and now a roadglide with the heel/toe shifter. I found the transition to be fairly easy and I immediately liked the heel/toe shifter better.

[jamesbthejoke]

I love the rocker-shifter. Tap into first, stomp up to speed up, tap down to slow down.
It also makes positive shifts easier. No false neutrals.

[roadglide]

I just bought a 2020 Roadglide Special & had them install the heel toe shifter before I took delivery! Luv it!

[deanpiccolo]

I rode both ways, I like the option with the heel schefter as you mentioned the pro's of having it on, for myself it doesn't really matter but I left it off because it gives me more room to move my foot around on Long rides and makes it more comfortable to place my foot in different positions on the floorboard

[karenshoucairmcgray]

I was used to forward control for 2 years on my first bike. I absolute love my heel toe shifter on my touring. Would not go back. It’ s all about getting used to it. Yes....I have made mistakes, but I always listen to my motor when I slowly ease the clutch out. It’s your friend! 😊 Nice vid Matt! Thank you!

[jakegambrell]

Got my first bike with the heel/toe shifter this spring. Didn’t think I’d like it, but man was I wrong. Couldn’t see not having it now, at least on my Road King!

[gmoney]

For me there is no comparison. The heel toe shifter and floor boards are much more comfortable and practical.I wear Harley riding boots and they get scuffed up no matter what . Thanks good video

[kohlriddell]

I actually didn’t use my heel shifter until I started watching your videos and noticed you using it all the time so I gave it a try and would never ride without one now. That’s awesome your dealership puts them on for free. Harley never should have gotten rid of them from the factory.

[quetimporta]

Even when I was a noob, I never accidentally hit the heel shifter. I have a 2021 Road Glide Limited and installed a heel shifter

[seanbutler]

Definitely the heel/toe shifter for me on my road glide.

[cptdenny]

While in the military I always had to have spit shine jump boots on duty. Up shifting with just a toe shifter ruined the shine on the boot toe. Once I got a heel toe shifter from an aftermarket party in 1983 and installed on my 1981 BMW R100RS, my jump boots remained shined as I got to my unit. Today am on my 28th motorcycle, a 2015 HD Road Glide CVO with 95K miles since new with my heel toe shifter still shifting.

[gilesforrest]

Hi Matt thanks for the video. I have a heel toe shifter on my bike but have always use the toe to shift gears. With your explanation and visual description I will now be practicing using the heel toe shifter more. Thanks for the great video on this.

[schmoofadoop]

Neutral on HD’s is much easier in my experience with a heel shifter!

[imgzronauc]

Been using the heel shifter since '03. I prefer it. Some buddies don't. Be careful, do not stomp it, and keep your linkage tight. When tightening the rear it helps to push the arm back/vertical.

[beatstreet]

I never had a heel shifter until I bought my Road King. I watched a couple of vids like this one to see what it’s all about and acclimated quickly. Now I prefer it. I did buy an extended heel shift lever to get more room on the floorboard and it made a huge difference especially since I have longer iso floorboards on it.

[bodog]

I’ve been riding Harley’s sense 1979 and had 4 FLH’s. I’ve been shifting heel toe my all riding life. My wife has a sportster, I heel toe that too lol

[fightforfreedom]

Never rode with a heel shifter till I bought my 2015 Street Glide Special. Couldn't imagine riding without that heel shifter. Much more positive shifting than the toe.

[rayestanley]

Heel shifter, definitely. Had one on a previous bike and loved it. My first mod with my new bike will be the heel shift. Never had a problem, even with big work boots