Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: galaxieman on March 15, 2012, 10:05:26 AM
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I've been running GP-shift pattern on my race bike and on the Concours for over a year, and will probably switch other streetbikes to this pattern as well. Much, much more positive upshifts (stomp vs pull), even when riding at a very leisurely pace. Thoughts?
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If I only rode my bikes I would, but since I ride training bikes and do demos I won't. Hard enough going from a 1400 to a 125 ;D
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What's involved in changing it?
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What's involved in changing it?
Pull shaft from pivot point, position knuckle so it is above shaft, and then adjust for desired position. Shouldn't take longer then 2 swallows of cheap miller branded beer ;D
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That's easy for you to say...
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Pull shaft from pivot point, position knuckle so it is above shaft, and then adjust for desired position. Shouldn't take longer then 2 swallows of cheap miller branded beer ;D
How many gags does that equal?
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How many gags does that equal?
One gag, that's why you have to swallow twice... ;D
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I might just try the GP Shift Pattern. My son has been using it for years.
I just have a concern that it "may" not be the better of the two for the street only rider. ???
I like to down shift (engine breaking) along with applying the breaks when the need arrises that I need to slow down or stop quickly. I feel that the standard pattern may be better for doing this.
(now opening up a can of worms ...... ) What are your thoughts? :stirpot:
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I also engine brake when slowing and haven't noticed any issues. That said, I had already done the switch on my race bike and had a good bit of practice doing 'downshifts fired in anger' at speed before switching the street bike. But with the Concours, there is a good amount of engine braking so a couple of quick clicks up on the shifter do pretty well to haul her down from speed. The more pertinent advantage though is pretty much never missing an upshift since you're pressing down with your foot vice pulling up with your toes.
The old Nortons (while the shifter was on the right instead of left...) had a 1 up, 3 down pattern as stock. It just makes more sense to me to use the more 'positive' shift (i.e. press down) for the act of changing up to the next ratio, as this action is where the transmission is more likely to be under load conditions. It's one of those things that once I did it, I thought "Why don't they do this stock? It just feels easier..."
As a corollary, have you ever ridden a cruiser with a heel-toe setup? Even when I can operate the front part of the lever like a 'normal' shifter, I tend to find myself stomping down on either side both for upshifts and downshifts; pressing down is a more 'positive' action.
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I've tried it, I don't like it. I have no issue pushing down to upshift, but I don't care to rapidly click up in a hasty stop. BTW the Honda Wave style small motorbikes common in Southeast Asia use a GP shift pattern. Drives me nuts.
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Thanks for the input and yes the 'downshifts fired in anger' is what my concerns are/was.
Never ridded a cruser with the heel-toe setup.
I'll most likely try this out.
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I've tried it, I don't like it. I have no issue pushing down to upshift, but I don't care to rapidly click up in a hasty stop. BTW the Honda Wave style small motorbikes common in Southeast Asia use a GP shift pattern. Drives me nuts.
That is what brakes are for! Brakes are for stopping and gears are for slowing down.
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So cool that thiis was posted, I was actually thinking of switching mine over. I have ridden sportbikes with this set-up, I quite liked it.
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Pull shaft from pivot point, position knuckle so it is above shaft, and then adjust for desired position. Shouldn't take longer then 2 swallows of cheap miller branded beer ;D
Do it and post a pic!
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Here's a pic of what the shifter looks like after flipping the transmission end of the linkage over. Note, the boot on the front end of the linkage will just touch the fairing when the shifter link is adjusted to match the angle on the shifter from when it was stock, I've had it that way for over 10,000 miles and there have been no issues.
(http://www.galaxieman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/wpid1995-20120316-_MG_6755-200x300.jpg) (http://www.galaxieman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/wpid1995-20120316-_MG_6755.jpg)
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That is what brakes are for! Brakes are for stopping and gears are for slowing down.
I'm referring to the instance where you brake hard, clutch pulled in, clicking down gears as you are stopping so you end up in first when you are stopped.
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I've been running GP-shift pattern on my race bike and on the Concours for over a year, and will probably switch other streetbikes to this pattern as well. Much, much more positive upshifts (stomp vs pull), even when riding at a very leisurely pace. Thoughts?
When I started riding I did so on a BSA and this and all of the other British bikes used a 1up, 2, 3, &4 down pattern. (GP-shift pattern) The shifter was on the right side and the rear brake was on the left. The Continental bikes, BMW, et al, had a reversed shift pattern with the shifter on the left and the rear brake on the right. Harleys and Indians were still using a foot clutch and a hand shifter, a truly idiotic design.
It took a bit of concentration for the first few miles to acclimate oneself to the difference when switching from the English bikes to the Continental bikes or vice versa. Eventually the Brits adopted the pattern used by the rest of the world.
I personally see no advantage in reversing what is generally a universal pattern. How much effort does it really take to upshift just about any bike? The foot-peg acts as a fulcrum for the foot as the ankle rotates to raise the shift lever. Unless one has the weakest ankles imaginable, a great deal of force can thusly be applied to lifting the shift lever. How often do you want to apply as much pressure as you can when upshifting? This is a street bike not a GP machine. I say leave it alone and your reflexes are then set to the proper mode for hopping on any motorcycle and being able to shift it without thought.
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I say do whatever suits ya!
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I startedriding GP shift at NHIS, coming up the hill leaned over to the right I had trouble getting the next gear until I switched to GP. I love it, won't go back. Usually if I'm downshifting I'm vertical, up shifts are more likely to be needed when leaned over exiting a corner.
Personal preference... I like it! ;)
If I could just figure out how to do it on my KDX-200.....
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I switched mine over to the GP pattern yesterday. So far I like it. I'll give it a week and then I'll decide if I'll keep it this way or not.
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I agree with SOP, I have another bike and want to be able to hop on any bike and ride it instinctively.
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I change all my road bikes to 'race shift' simply so it doesnt become a memory thing about which bike I'm on.
I race a Yamaha R1 superbike and dont fancy a miss shift in the heat of battle so to speak becasue of having to remember to use a certain shift pattern.
On the 14 its a simple case of flipping the selector arm through 180 degrees, two minutes work.
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I changed mine over to the GP pattern a few days ago (3/18/2012) and I've decided that I'm going to keep it. ;D