For me... very little force is required to effect the gear change. I personally like the direct feel of the toe shifter without the linkages. My toe has much more neuromotor control than my heel, specially when using the Bull tuned Daytona boots.
The heel just has more force. A lot of people use the heel shifter with the toe to push-shift to the next gear. It feels and looks kool doing that. Originally I just wanted the heel shifter off because it gave me the option to use the whole platform to place my foot on. Plus, I could tuck my foot about one inch closer to the bike without the linkages. Plus, I think it looks kool.
Scott... If you like your heel shifter... go at it. A lot of people do. The shifter I sent you is a piece of motorcycle art. If you are not going to use it please bring it to RAA East or mail it to me. Perhaps someone else will see mine and say... hey that shifter looks kool, can I try it? and it gives me the chance to make a fellow rider happy.