Anyone switched to GP shift pattern yet?

Just asking.
After 3 weeks of daily riding the 1200 I still can't get used to this illogical pattern.
No lectures please, just info. Thanks.

Bef

 

I bought a DCT 1200 so no shift pattern to change

 

The only reason for doing it is if you're going to track a bike. The logic being that you want your foot on top of the shifter while in a hard lean and accelerating, rather than underneath it. That way you can upshift by pressing down on the lever instead of dragging your foot on the tarmac underneath the lever.

 

Not illogical at all. Up = upshift, down = downshift. Can't get any more logical than that!

 

Hey Knife, I think he's talking Moto GP, where the gear box is reversed. 1 up and 5 down.

 

Yeah, I was just bustin' chops 'cause I'm jealous.

 

So no info whatsoever.
Looks like I'm going to be pioneer in this. I'd have changed it on day 1 if it had been easy.
FWIW, I've had 1 up, 5 down on all my bikes for the past 30 years. So have my riding buddies.

2000 km on the VFR1200 so far and it's the only thing I want to change.

 

I wouldn't say that. I've got plenty of information for you. For starters you shouldn't ask vague questions and then act like an asshole when you don't get specific answers. Secondly, that good bud in Belgium can make you temporarily stupid, as evidenced by your comments on having ridin 1 up and 5 down for the last 30 years. I'm sure that when the effects of the cabbage wear off you'll realize that 1 up and 5 down is a Moto GP shift pattern, opposite of the 1 down and 5 up standard pattern. After 30 years of riding that way you probably shouldn't be feeling so confused about it anymore.

 

I see not using emoticons has landed me in a spot of trouble...

So, me being a newbie on here I seem to owe you (whoever's reading this that is) a little more explanation.
I don't think I've ever apologized for any posts I've made - close to 9k on the Aprilia forum - but in this case I'll make an exception:
sorry but from now on this is going to be boring.:wink:

It's not the only reason. Pressing down to upshift is unlikely going to land you in between gears. Every bike I've owned just shifted more accurately with race shift pattern.

No I was talking about just about any race class where they use proper race bikes. 125, 250, 500, Moto GP, Moto2, Superbike and so on. The only rider I'm sure of that still uses street pattern is Biaggi. I'm sure there are others but he's the only one I'm sure of.

All my riding buddies have some racing background. Some now ride Supermoto, some just do track days on their track bikes. What made me switch was a moment I had on a track in France. I wanted to change from 4th to 5th on my RG250 while at an angle in a left-hander and my boot hit the floor and the back wheel jumped up. I didn't crash but needed a fresh pair of underpants after that.

I've been on 3 Aprilias for the past 10 years, just one year on a Triumph Tiger before I bought this VFR1200. The Aprilia gearboxes need a firm boot and I often read about people missing gears. In 100k miles I never missed a gear on the Aprilias.

It's become the standard when the big 4 started it way back in the 60's. My first bike was a Ducati GT750 with 1 up, 4 down and the lever on the right-hand side!
Most of my buddies rode Kawasaki 3-cylinder 2-strokes that had a pattern neutral/5 up IIRC. Again, not the 'standard'.
Betamax was better than VHS yet VHS became the standard in video.
Standard does not mean best. Ask any Windows user. :wink:

A pic to illustrate perhaps:
as you can see it's not just a matter of just flipping the top lever 180 degrees. There's a clutch line in the way and the shaft drive housing won't allow the straight rod to pass. I want this done in the cleanest possible way so it'll take some thinking.
I had been hoping maybe one member would have done it but like on the Tiger board, the need doesn't seem to arise. That's okay btw, I was merely asking.
I hope this covers the 'vague question' issue. :wink:

Many of the Futura riders however have done the conversion. For many it was their first race pattern but those that have changed seem to like it a lot. I know I do.

Lastly, I have to say that there are no stupid questions, just inquisitive idiots. :biggrin:

There was one reply from a VFR1200 owner and others from previous generation VFR's which, in my humble opinion, have nothing in common with the 1200. I think it's a pity Honda named the 1200 'VFR'.
When the T comes out what kind of replies are these poor folk going to get from the likes of Havcar, who I'm sure is very knowledgeable about 800's considering the thanks he's gotten. Maybe he should stick to what he knows best....
:wink:

Bef

 

I just had a look back at the original post and I too thought that you actually had a GP shift pattern on your bike and were commenting on how messed up it was but apparently that wasn't your intent.

As far as shift patterns go, there is definitely a reason for what is being delivered on the showroom floor vs what many use on the track. Hard to say when or why bikes went to the one down and five up pattern but it definitely has become the norm for the vast majority of manufacturers. That being said, I have run into situations on the track (not the street) where the standard pattern became a liability. Like mentioned above, this only occurs at extreme lean angles where you can't get your toe under the lever.

The one track I had this issue on was the Autobahn Country Club near Joliet Illinois. There is a double apex loooong right hand turn coming on the front straight where you hit the first apex at maybe fourty mph but by the time you exit you are near eighty and a shift is a must. When I was on my right knee, my left foot was off the peg and I couldn't reach the shifter. It was really messed up as I had to get back in the saddle, stand the bike up a bit and make the shift mid turn and then hang off again. I was off the bike so far to compensate for the fact that the 3rd gen machines have limited cornering clearance. Really hard on the knee sliders!!:crazy:

My Ducati was much better and I didn't have the same issue.

Do I yearn for a GP shift? No but if that is what you are comfortable with then I can understand the displeasure you are experiencing.:smile: Sorry I can't help you in your quest for a GP shift kit!

 

Thanks Jethro, it does seem true that I was not clear enough in my first post.

Yeah on right corners on the track I can understand an issue as well. It's not that however, it's just that to me race shift pattern feels so natural I start making mistakes once the pace goes up, using street pattern. Especially on downshifts during heavy braking my mind has no room left to think about how to downshift in street pattern. Can't be Belgian beer as I never touch the stuff. :smile:

Not to worry, I'll get it sorted one way or another. I'd have liked it finished before they give me the 173 ponies later this week. Still on 100 hp you see...

 

A Belgian who doesn't like Belgian beer, the best and purest on the planet ??????

We'll never trust you, sir !

But keep posting anyway......

 

I didn't say I don't like it. I'm a gout patient so can't touch beer or wine. Or cheese or pork for that matter.

Still proud of our many beers though.

 

Befbever,

You stated that you had some problems with shifting with the standard street pattern of one down, five up,

and most likely getting "false neutrals".

I would be willing to bet you a Belgium Beer that you are not pre-loading your shift pedal before actually shifting (normal street pattern).

I would also bet that your buddies that changed to the race-pattern are a bit of wannabe racers, like "wow

look at me, I am so fast on the street with extreme lean angles that I have to have the race pattern of one up, five down."

Anyway, welcome to the mad house ~

 

That's two bets you lose, Porschebob.
Most of my buddies ( and me) are racer has-beens. It's hard to kick old habits...
I don't get false neutrals, I just get confused.

 

what have you been riding where its reverse from the rest of the world?

besideswhat the hell kind of info were you looking for? Has anyone done it, type info? well, I think from the lack of responses the answer would be no...take a pill and chill out...


Peace.

Crusty

 

Yes I gathered that by now. Kindly read the rest before suggesting I start medication.

 

In defense of the Befbev, think about this......... I would bet a majority of us all started out on a 3-down / 3-up pattern, right ?? My first love was a '69 Honda Minitrail 50. (Yeah, I was 7 years old and in my mind I was K.R. senior !!) Anybody else care to chime in ??

 

we can sit here and :argue: and give each other atomic internet :wedgie: or look at :boobies4: :boobies3: :boobies2: :boobies7: :boobies6: :boobies5: BTW of your bike... and since you can't :drinkers: :drinker: there are plenty of us that can take up your slack....

and is it the gear box thats reversed or is it the linkage...I always thought it was the linkage..

 

Yes it's usually the linkage. One exception is the Aprilia Falco which has the reverse gear selecter drum from the other Rotax V-twins. But you have to open up the engine to change that.

Pics...okay let me try this. Not used to this bulletin board yet. :ranger: