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Posted by Reveen
- May 09, 2014, 10:14:25 AMQuote from: jmbo on May 09, 2014, 09:59:23 AMThat is exactly how I feel. I seem to get more precise shifting if I just use my toe. It seems more "fun" to me for whatever reason too. Maybe that is because its just more what I'm used to.Every once and a while I'll try the heel shifter but it seems to take too long shuffling between the two.
Is there an Indian demo in your area soon? I'd recommend it. I always do all the HD demos as well, just because I love trying all sorts of different bikes.
Posted by jmbo
- May 09, 2014, 09:59:23 AMI guess it depends on what you are used to. I've never warmed up to the heel shifter. All my previous bikes were Brit bikes (including my right hand shift Tiger) Every once and a while I'll try the heel shifter but it seems to take too long shuffling between the two. Being used to riding a lower torque bike, I find that I use my gears upshifting and down shifting more than other v Twin guys I ride with. I know the bike has enough torque to pull stumps but I like to keep the revs up a bit and listen to that engine hit that sweet spot so tickling the shifter up and down with my toe works for me.
Plan to try out an Indian in a couple of weeks.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- May 08, 2014, 21:57:51 PMthis is the second bike with a heel and toe shifter, and I really like this one, because you can adjust each one to were it is to your specific liking......
Posted by Drifter1500
- May 08, 2014, 20:16:48 PMYou can adjust the toe shifter and still leave the heel shifter in place, use the heel shifter if you want to.
I find more positive shifts going up in gears with heel shifter. But I have been using this setup for along time.
If it is adjusted proper you might feel different about it as well.
Posted by Reveen
- May 08, 2014, 17:43:36 PMQuote from: greenbarn on May 06, 2014, 16:34:02 PMI'm thinking of removing my heel shifter and raising the toe shifter so I can actually fit my foot under it without having to force it in there. I think I just like using my toe better . . . for some reason I feel like my shifting is more accurate when just using the toe. I'm assuming it isn't very difficult to adjust . . . I haven't looked at it very closely yet.That's my criticism - the heal shifter can easily be removed if you don't want it. I would want one.
Posted by Troll
- May 06, 2014, 16:44:56 PMComing from the strange land of the past, I didn't own a motorcycle with a foot shift until.....1971. Since i learned to ride with a foot clutch and hand shift, I really like the way the rocker shift works. Reminds me of the first machines I owned, except for my '65 BSA...which had a foot shift on the "wrong side"...but since I didn't know any better, it was the right side for me! I had to adapt to the "normal" foot shift configuration, when I bought my '68 E-Glide...
Posted by greenbarn
- May 06, 2014, 16:34:02 PMQuote from: 49Reo on May 06, 2014, 12:58:36 PMI have never used the heel shifter on my bikes until recently; used to take them off to allow more room on the floorboard for my big feet.
That's my criticism - the heal shifter can easily be removed if you don't want it. I would want one.
Posted by Reveen
- May 06, 2014, 13:36:14 PMI forgot to add that during the demo ride (group of about ten riders) one of the guys dumped the bike at a stop sign. I cringed watching the $18,000 beauty fall to the pavement. I don't think the guy had been riding very long... I'm not even sure how he managed to tip it over as he could easily sit with both feet flat on the pavement.
Posted by 49Reo
- May 06, 2014, 12:58:36 PMQuote from: greenbarn on May 05, 2014, 13:31:56 PMIt's probably an option....
I have never used the heel shifter on my bikes until recently; used to take them off to allow more room on the floorboard for my big feet. 
Posted by Drift1
- May 06, 2014, 05:23:56 AMReveen I can relate with the cheaply made feeling as well . Can't quit describe it , but numerous people in the crowd were saying the same .
Chief with that sweet 1500 of yours , I'll guarantee once you have a chance to ride these NEW Indians , you'll keep that extra cash in your pocket 
.So many disappointed potential buyers that day , it was heart braking what Polaris did to the Indian name .
Troll I too have to read up on the history lesson . Never realized that was no "R " ... Man I wish I would of known this info before going to the preview . I would of had a field day with questions .
Posted by chief
- May 05, 2014, 19:29:05 PMI missed the demo rides this weekend... wish I coulda ridden one. If it rides as others have indicated that might get it off my radar for a while!
Posted by Troll
- May 05, 2014, 15:17:37 PMI just can't get past the headlight/fork crown assy...If you're going to do it that way, it's going to have to be better than H-D's 1949 design, and I don't really think it is. I like the saddlebags on the heritage, or what ever it's called, but that chieftain just turns me off completely.
Posted by Reveen
- May 05, 2014, 14:38:37 PMI got the opportunity to ride a Chief Vintage (black) last weekend during the Polaris Demo Day at the local dealership. Upon first sitting on the bike, I immediately thought "this feels tiny!" I dont know what it was, but it seemed so much smaller and lightweight than my 99. I felt like I was straddling a 750cc bike. I felt a little cramped on it, so hopefully there are several adjustments that can be made for taller riders.
The bike accelerated well enough, but didn't feel that much more powerful than my Drifter. The stock exhaust was so quiet, I could hardly believe it. I loved having a 6th gear, that was really nice. The bike seemed to handle well, and the shifting was ultra smooth. For whatever reason, the bike felt a little "cheap" to me. I think I have a natural stereotype in my head that "heavy = quality and lightweight = cheap". I know its stupid, but I just couldn't get over how small the bike felt. Maybe it has a much lower center of gravity than the Drifter?
All in all, it was a great bike, I just dont think I could ever justify shelling out that type of cash for a motorcycle unless I was very wealthy.
Posted by greenbarn
- May 05, 2014, 13:31:56 PMQuote from: DC on May 05, 2014, 12:29:27 PMIt's probably an option....The lack of a heel shifter is a common complaint among new Indian owners and prospective customers.
Posted by DC
- May 05, 2014, 12:29:27 PMThe lack of a heel shifter is a common complaint among new Indian owners and prospective customers.