Standard VS GP shift ??? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Standard VS GP shift ???

M

Mina

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I feel like I'm bombarding you guys with a ton of silly questions, but you have been a great help so far and I appreciate all your input.

What are you running on the track and why?
I know most prefer the GP shift action but I don't understand the logic behind it.
How is it better?
I'm trying to decide on which pattern to go with before I order my Bazzaz Z-Fi TC, not sure if it matters?
Will the QS work with both patterns or only one or the other?

Thanks in advance.
 
You'll need to get the switch that's right for your bike (push/pull) depending on your choice of shift pattern, it only works one way. I switched to GP after 11 years, it took awhile but it's easier to upshift when I'm leaned over with size 12 boots.
 
I believe the Bazazz will only work in one direction, in whichever you order. Push or pull. Not both.

I just switched over to GP shift after many years of riding standard shift. I have to say that i actually like it alot, but its hard when you still ride street and have standard shift.
 
infernobuster said:
I believe the Bazazz will only work in one direction, in whichever you order. Push or pull. Not both.

I just switched over to GP shift after many years of riding standard shift. I have to say that i actually like it alot, but its hard when you still ride street and have standard shift.
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I had to switch both, going back to dirt is going to be interesting.
 
infernobuster said:
I believe the Bazazz will only work in one direction, in whichever you order. Push or pull. Not both.

I just switched over to GP shift after many years of riding standard shift. I have to say that i actually like it alot, but its hard when you still ride street and have standard shift.
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If I were to go GP shift, I would change my street bike to GP shift as well. Takes 2 minute and a 10 mm wrench.

Brian P said:
I switch all of my bikes over to reverse shift pattern.
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I come across your posts every now and then and I realize how helpful you are to this community and I always value your opinion.
Can you expand on that a little? Why do you prefer GP shift and how is it useful on the track?
 
dricked said:
What am I, chopped liver? Lol.
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lol... Sorry man.
You have been a great help as well, I appreciate all the advice.
Is that really all it is? Easier shifting while leaned nover? (coming out of corners, etc.?)
 
Mina said:
I come across your posts every now and then and I realize how helpful you are to this community and I always value your opinion. Can you expand on that a little? Why do you prefer GP shift and how is it useful on the track?
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There are 2 issues where reverse pattern is better than normal pattern.

First one is if you have a left-hand corner that demands an upshift mid-corner. If leaned way over, your foot might not fit between the shift lever and the ground, to do it with the normal shift pattern. It's not an issue if the pattern is reversed since you are pushing the pedal down with your foot on top. Downshifting is normally not done while leaned over, so it doesn't just move the problem to a different place on the track - it gets rid of the problem.

The other one is off the start line. My bike has a short first gear that demands an upshift to second almost as soon as I can find it. It's easier to just pick my feet up and set them on the pegs and tap the shift lever down, than to get my foot on the peg but under the shift lever.

I can't think of any ways that the normal shift pattern is "better" than reverse, other than it isn't the way the bike was originally built and it's the way everyone learns first.
 
For me it is, probably for everyone else too. It really makes it easy to short shift or accelerate while leaned over weighting the pegs (right turns).

Regular shift is good for starts if you leave that foot down, you can shift with the back of your leg while you bring your foot up. Miss those MX gates.

Dont worry I'm not offended, just trying to help.
 
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Brian P said:
There are 2 issues where reverse pattern is better than normal pattern.

First one is if you have a left-hand corner that demands an upshift mid-corner. If leaned way over, your foot might not fit between the shift lever and the ground, to do it with the normal shift pattern. It's not an issue if the pattern is reversed since you are pushing the pedal down with your foot on top. Downshifting is normally not done while leaned over, so it doesn't just move the problem to a different place on the track - it gets rid of the problem.

The other one is off the start line. My bike has a short first gear that demands an upshift to second almost as soon as I can find it. It's easier to just pick my feet up and set them on the pegs and tap the shift lever down, than to get my foot on the peg but under the shift lever.

I can't think of any ways that the normal shift pattern is "better" than reverse, other than it isn't the way the bike was originally built and it's the way everyone learns first.
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This makes perfect sense to me, thank you for taking the time to reply.

dricked said:
For me it is, probably for everyone else too. It really makes it easy to short shift or accelerate while leaned over weighting the pegs (right turns).

Regular shift is good for starts if you leave that foot down, you can shift with the back of your leg while you bring your foot up. Miss those MX gates.

Dont worry I'm not offended, just trying to help.
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I'm going to need all the help I can get, so I definitely appreciate it. Thanks again!
 
Brian P said:
It's easier to just pick my feet up and set them on the pegs and tap the shift lever down, than to get my foot on the peg but under the shift lever.
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You might well be saying the same thing, but on my bike I can upshift by pushing on the lever well back of the shift peg, barely have to move my foot.

Brian P said:
I can't think of any ways that the normal shift pattern is "better" than reverse, other than it isn't the way the bike was originally built and it's the way everyone learns first.
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Not quite in the "better" column but staying normal means you might not have to remember two different styles like you might encounter if you ride other peoples bikes, rentals, demos, etc. Not all bikes can be easily swapped so even a little time with a wrench might not solve it. Then again, I guess it depends who you ride with, it could make a bad day worse if you can't ride GP pattern.

I couldn't think of any reason not to try it, so I did. Just beware of potential brainfarts while learning, I found the important shifts easy enough but the subconscious ones less so (to no ill effects.) e.g. downshifting while shoulder-checking to pass on a two lane road.
 
murf said:
Standard shift is easier to shift dien when leaned over in a corner.
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I thought you're not supposed to down shift while leaned over?
Aren't you supposed to be in the right gear going in the corner and up-shift as you exit?
 
"down"??

... but then why didn't you do that downshift in the braking zone before getting into the corner?

Upshifting while still leaned over happens much more frequently.
 
My R6 racebike is GP. I bought it that way. Took a few weekends to get used to it before I stopped exitting hairpins in 4th gear.....but I like it alot. Much easier for me to pop off a quick upshift especially while still leaned over, as I am so short of inseam, that when hanging off the bike I can't reach under the shifter (of a standard shift bike) till I get back on the seat, and the GP shift is easier for me to reach to step on top of the shifter instead of trying to get under it.

That said, my Fireblad also is an endurance bike that I share with other riders on my team, so it has remained standard shift. Myself and one other teamate have GP shift racebikes, but motards for streetbikes. As motards don't have shift linkages, we ride standard shift pattern on the street, so he and I are quite used to switching back and forth between GP and standard. I will race both GP and standard sometimes within a half hr period, but I prefer GP on the track for sure.
 
I agree with everyone who's mentioned the advantages of GP shift for upshifting, but I find it a lot more intuitive for downshifting too. I find it much easier to pull up to downshift while braking hard.
 
Brian P said:
"down"??

... but then why didn't you do that downshift in the braking zone before getting into the corner?

Upshifting while still leaned over happens much more frequently.
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This is correct-if I need to downshift mid-to-late corner I've screwed up. Converted to GP this year-but you don't have to -was it Schwantz or Mladin that always used street pattern?
 
Add biaggi, Baylis vermulan etc etc to that list. Doohan as well but that was more because of leg injuries that made him ride standard.

I never converted, tried it but in between street riding and teaching it was too much for my brain to handle.
 
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