GP Shift Pattern

[TOM-CAT]

I just finished a DIY GP shift pattern conversion on the R6. So now the R6 and Thundercat have the same shift pattern. :yes: No more worrying about switching between bikes. :crash:
I love free mods! :rad:

Before and after pics.

[lil' mikey]

looks like a nice and easy mod for ya. I have my GSXR with that shift pattern. But, changing it back since I am back into riding dirt a lot now. Like you stated, Won't have worry about making a wrong shift on either bike.

[Rashmaster13]

Why bother reversing your pattern? Its not like your riding a peaky 125 2 stroke GP bike, where you need to shift while leaned over far enough that you cant get your foot under the lever. That was the original reason for flipping patterns. Many racers still use a standard shift pattern, like Bayliss and Biaggi.

[TOM-CAT]

This is how I see it:

The human foot is designed to primarily push down. The transmission on a bike shifts best when rev-matched, which is done on a down shift. So combine the stronger of the two foot movements, pushing down, with the harder of the two shifts, up shifting. Then combine the weaker foot movement, pulling up, with the easier shift, down shifting. This results in pushing down for up shifts and pulling up for down shifts, also known as a GP shift pattern.

Originally I set up my Thundercat with a GP shift pattern because Thundercats are notorious for having a hard 1st to 2nd shift, which can lead to the loss of 2nd gear. So I set up my bike with a GP shift pattern to help with the 1-2 shift. Once I made the transition, I was very happy with the change. If reasonably possible, I will continue to convert any new bike that I get. I believe that the GP shift pattern is superior to the standard shift pattern, in comfort and precision. Additionally, as stated earlier, I was prompted to convert the R6 to prevent confusion when switching between bikes.

[TAT2D]

Looks good Tomhttp://eugenesportbike.com/forum/images/smilies/newsmilies/thumbup.gif

.......and she's sitting on hardwood floors toohttp://eugenesportbike.com/forum/images/smilies/newsmilies/rad.gif

[lil' mikey]

I did it cause I was bored and just wanted to see what it was like because of people talking about it and found out that my shifting was a lot easier and smoother with it reversed. So I left it that way.

[rickster]

It looks like your change was prettty easy, Tom. You just had to flip the trans. lever? Some folks aren't so lucky. I had to relocate the sidestand spring on my bike to keep it from interfering with the shift lever, and find a shorter spring as well. Some bikes are harder still to do, some others impossible without custom rearsets. I got hooked on the reverse pattern on the 888, and carried it over to the TL as well. I suppose if I ever got into dirt bikes I'd have to switch back, though.:thumbup:

[roadrunner]

i did this with the race bike and it didnt last too long. i had the switching back to the street bike problem. i was gonna swap the street bike as well but decided against and went back to regular. youre right tom about the foot going down thing. once you make the conversion in your head itll be much smoother. i liked it alot but didnt wanna flub a shift up or down on the road.

[Rashmaster13]

Well if you have one like it, all your bikes should be that way, otherwise you spend split seconds thinking about shifting, which should be automatic. Personally I dont care for it, as I'd much rather just be able to flail away at my shifter when braking at almost out of control speeds for a turn off a fast straight. I've had the front moving and the rear dancing in the air, shifting up takes some precision whereas down shifting doesnt. I might be so thrown around I end up down shifting with a heel. Shifting to a taller gear is easier and you dont have to pop multiple gears quickly like you do down shifting. If you dont have enough ankle travel you can always move the lever down.
Anyway just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions.

[TOM-CAT]

It looks like your change was prettty easy, Tom. You just had to flip the trans. lever? Some folks aren't so lucky. I had to relocate the sidestand spring on my bike to keep it from interfering with the shift lever, and find a shorter spring as well. Some bikes are harder still to do, some others impossible without custom rearsets. I got hooked on the reverse pattern on the 888, and carried it over to the TL as well. I suppose if I ever got into dirt bikes I'd have to switch back, though.:thumbup:
Yeah, I was pretty happy about how easy the R6 was. The thundercat wasn't too bad either, but I had to machine out a portion of the sprocket cover to make room. Then I had to pick up a couple washers to allow the shift rod to clear the frame. All-in-all very happy with both, even though I haven't gotten a chance to run the R6 with the reverse pattern yet. :yell: the weather. Just need to get some studded tires.:tongue:

[TOM-CAT]

...and she's sitting on hardwood floors toohttp://eugenesportbike.com/forum/images/smilies/newsmilies/rad.gif
The garage was too cold to install the StompGrips, so she was moved into the living room. Now I am waiting on some WoodCraft frame sliders. Once those get put on she will move back into the garage, before the girlfriend comes to visit. :smilewink Girls don't usually appreciate a beautiful bike when it is sitting in the house. :idunno:

[roadrunner]

Girls don't usually appreciate a beautiful bike when it is sitting in the house. :idunno:

thats funny.. i love bikes in the house. the race bike rested there when not at the track.. if i had the space theyd all be in the house.

[TOM-CAT]

thats funny.. i love bikes in the house. the race bike rested there when not at the track.. if i had the space theyd all be in the house.
If I had my way, I would have a 1,000 sqr foot house with a 3,000+ sqr foot garage! :rad:

[Batman]

I've heard of this before, but always thought it would just confuse the piss outta me.:thinking: Besides Tom, PIR only has one left hander well unless you count 5. If you cant get your foot under the shifter on the right handers then....? Anyhow, just thought I'd pipe up... I might give it a try just to see.....

[TOM-CAT]

I've heard of this before, but always thought it would just confuse the piss outta me.:thinking: If you read my previous posts in this thread, you know that is exactly why I switched the R6 (to match the Thundercat). I have no problem riding other peoples bikes with a standard shift pattern, but I am not railing while I ride someone else's bike. So even if I missed a shift I wouldn't over rev the engine.

Besides Tom, PIR only has one left hander well unless you count 5.Actually it has 3 left turns if you count turn 5. 3, 5, and 7 :nerd: <- that is me, track nerd. :D

If you cant get your foot under the shifter on the right handers then....? Anyhow, just thought I'd pipe up... I might give it a try just to see.....Getting under the shifter was never my goal with the GP shift conversion, read previous posts. :thumbup:
Give it a try, if it isn't too involved. You might like it. :victory-s And if you don't like it, at least you can say you tried it. :nutkick

P.S. Is it Sep 19th yet?! :bounce: :ride: (Joe Joe) :ride: (Eric) :ride: (Zack) :ride: (Me) Woohoo! :rad:

[Batman]

Actually it has 3 left turns if you count turn 5. 3, 5, and 7 :nerd: <- that is me, track nerd. :D---Tomcat


How did I miss 7??!!!:bash:

yea I read I was just givin you crap. :nutkick

[TOM-CAT]

...yea I read I was just givin you crap. :nutkickCrap received, and being return in like kind. :nutkick :smilewink

:lol:

[Batman]

so I bit. I flipped the fitting, and am now part of the "cool gp shift" crowd :nerd:


Not sure what i think yet, Gonna go for a local spin tomorrow to test the water, wish me luck :yes:

[Xusia]

There is a great article on this topic in this month's Sport Rider. To sum it up: There are advantages and disadvantages both ways, which should be considered before making the change. In general, if you ride only on the street it's probably best to leave it as is. If you ride only on the track, you'll probably want to use the reverse pattern. If you ride both, it's probably best to have all your bikes running the same pattern regardless of what that is. Well, DUH! :D

[roadrunner]

There is a great article on this topic in this month's Sport Rider. To sum it up: There are advantages and disadvantages both ways, which should be considered before making the change. In general, if you ride only on the street it's probably best to leave it as is. If you ride only on the track, you'll probably want to use the reverse pattern. If you ride both, it's probably best to have all your bikes running the same pattern regardless of what that is. Well, DUH! :D
+1 :thumbup: