Gear Shift Lever Position

[sandl]

So while you are just riding along is your foot usually under the shifter, over or out to the left. I was trying to get mine to a comfortable height and If I lower it to where its easy to upshift it seems hard to pull my foot out quickly from under it. I have tried several different shoes and this does seem to make a difference, but I was just wondering what people found as the most comfortable height for the lever.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by sandl

If I lower it to where its easy to upshift it seems hard to pull my foot out quickly from under it.

And how often do you need to pull your foot out QUICKLY ?? I would hope almost never.

Mine is adjusted to the point where it just touches the boots that I normally wear.....so that I have to consciously pull the toe up to shift.........and when cruising, my toe usually hangs out to the left slightly, I think. Who pays attention to details like that ?? :??:

[zepfan1232]

My shifter sits just a few mm under my boot but I don't rest my boot on it. If you're having trouble getting under it, maybe try a thinner boot?

[Water Warrior 2]

I always wear riding boots and had to adjust the shifter for position. On the GZ I had to adjust both brake and shifter for Lynda to be comfy and still operate properly. She always wears Red Wing ankle boots. The owners manual will show how to adjust both the foot controls. The rear brake light switch should be adjusted if the brake pedal is adjusted.

[badfun]

You know I was wondering the same thing, In my regular shoes its great but in my work shoes and my boots I have to almost squeeze under the shifter. I decided to leave it alone for now.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by badfun

You know I was wondering the same thing, In my regular shoes its great but in my work shoes and my boots I have to almost squeeze under the shifter. I decided to leave it alone for now.

Picture this: You approach an intersection where you need to STOP. You aren't yet in 5th gear so your toe is still UNDER the shifter. As you go to change the position of your toe, it sticks under the shifter..............what next?

I prefer to adjust it so that it is just BARELY touching the top of the boot in a normal riding position............the boot being the thickest foot wear I ever ride with. With anything else on, there is a small space.

Think about it.

[JIBTEXHNKA]

wow, i NEVER ride with my foot under the shifter unless i'm actively shifting. i even had to buy a thinner pair of boots because my work boots were so thick i couldn't get underneath it at all; one trip around the block and i realized they were useless.

maybe i just have big feet?

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by JIBTEXHNKA

wow, i NEVER ride with my foot under the shifter unless i'm actively shifting.

What? Are you saying that you remove your toe from under the shifter BETWEEN each shift ?? :??:

If you know you will be going up through the gears, that doesn't sound right to me.

[JIBTEXHNKA]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

What? Are you saying that you remove your toe from under the shifter BETWEEN each shift ?? :??:

If you know you will be going up through the gears, that doesn't sound right to me.

yes and no; i find myself having to consciously remind myself to leave my foot there if i know i'm going to upshift again in five seconds. i almost always (90% of the time) remove my toe from under the shifter between shifts. not to the point of being obsessive or missing shifts because i *have to* move my foot or something, i just find it to be more natural. my foot doesn't really sit under the shifter comfortably and it only takes a second to move my foot under it.

that brings up a question: is there a way to adjust the height of the shift lever? it looks like i could just tighten up the nuts on the connecting bar, but when i tried this (half asleep at 2am in a poorly-lit garage) they didn't turn easily.

[jonathan180iq]

There is a post this in either how-to's or general maintenance.