Quickshifters - really that good on the road?
Discussion
Never had a bike with a QS before. After initial excitement I am sort of wondering what is the point. Perhaps they make sense on the track but on the road I'm struggling to see any real benefit on the road. Had a test ride on a Fireblade this week and didn't really notice the difference as just did clutchless upshifts. Might be how I ride but unless chasing lap times who needs full throttle upshifts? On country roads I can happily stay in 3rd on the S 1000 R as it pulls so strongly from even tight corners and I'm not going over a 100 (apart from the odd occasion just for a laugh). Most times I'm changing up to 6th it is to cruise a bit so not that fussed how quickly I'm getting into 6th. And full power upshifts on the limiter above 3rd gear is "going direct to prison and don't pass go" sort of territory (if caught) so not something that crops up in my daily rides.
Am I just a Luddite or does anyone else agree?
Am I just a Luddite or does anyone else agree?
They have nil point on the road, but are fun, hence why a lot of people have them, I enjoy mines.
I like to change gears with my hand off the bar as I overtake, just so people know I have a quick shifter.
Its a bit like how I drive my car with the windows up on a hot day even though my air con pump has packed in.
I like to change gears with my hand off the bar as I overtake, just so people know I have a quick shifter.
Its a bit like how I drive my car with the windows up on a hot day even though my air con pump has packed in.
Esceptico said:
Never had a bike with a QS before. After initial excitement I am sort of wondering what is the point. Perhaps they make sense on the track but on the road I'm struggling to see any real benefit on the road. Had a test ride on a Fireblade this week and didn't really notice the difference as just did clutchless upshifts. Might be how I ride but unless chasing lap times who needs full throttle upshifts? On country roads I can happily stay in 3rd on the S 1000 R as it pulls so strongly from even tight corners and I'm not going over a 100 (apart from the odd occasion just for a laugh). Most times I'm changing up to 6th it is to cruise a bit so not that fussed how quickly I'm getting into 6th. And full power upshifts on the limiter above 3rd gear is "going direct to prison and don't pass go" sort of territory (if caught) so not something that crops up in my daily rides.
Am I just a Luddite or does anyone else agree?
It doesn't need to be full throttle ... as long as the bike is accelerating you can use it, some are better than others.Am I just a Luddite or does anyone else agree?
I can use mine at 4,000rpm @ 10% throttle just as well as 12,000rpm @ WOT ... it effectively turns the bike into having a semi-automatic gearbox.
I've not been convinced it was worth the money until I did a few miles on a GSXR with one equipped. I loved it and it made me laugh like a loon... since then I wanted one for my blade.
It's now been on the bike for around 1000 miles and I love it... use it if you want, or not bother - choice is yours but you have the option.
Ubber cool factor is Mr Audi R8 driver trying to out accelerate you from standing start and you are shifting up through the gearbox one handed with hand on hip waving at him and he is trying hard...
You don't have to be on full throttle to use them, though this is of course the point of them.
On the road they probably make more sense on 600s where changing gear is done quite frequently. In fact the part of your post saying you just leave it in third is the reason I kind of like having a smaller engined bike - a wee bit more involvement with the machine.
On the road they probably make more sense on 600s where changing gear is done quite frequently. In fact the part of your post saying you just leave it in third is the reason I kind of like having a smaller engined bike - a wee bit more involvement with the machine.
But if you aren't doing full throttle upshifts you don't need the clutch so can still do the one hand thing. Not as easy though.
I can see the point about 600s needing more effort as used to ride them. But it is great having the flexibility a litre bike offers you. I'm converted to them.
I can see the point about 600s needing more effort as used to ride them. But it is great having the flexibility a litre bike offers you. I'm converted to them.
king magpie he sees.I admit I have always done clutch less gear changing on all the bikes I have ever owned! I never saw the point in a qs even though I never used one, fast forward to the test ride on the s1000r and I still couldn't see the point! Now after using the s1000r for 1000 miles I love it and won't be without it! Firing out of second gear corners up through the gears has never been so much fun!
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