Pillion Comfort Additions?

[LucienLeFranc]

Excellent observation.

I will report on both the measured differences as well as the shifting experience, my not-always-helpful size-14 feet may come to my aid in this particular case... 

If the overall throw proves to be a problem, one thought is to possibly position the lever so upshifts require a smaller share of the overall arc of  movement and downshifts the larger share. 

Another option  (particularly if cost is a concern) is removing the OEM linkage and attaching a  standard-type shift lever...

   

... directly to the shift shaft, the only negative being that shifts would be reversed: up for 1st and down for 2-6.