So what's with these quick-shifter thingies then?

[Simon Davey]

I've never had one on a bike, in fact, I've never even had a gear indicator.

What is a quick-shifter, how do they work, are they REALLY that good?

 

I hear many, many bikes passing our farm, and I can tell who has one, to me though, it does sound like quite a sudden demand on the engine, I can't imagine that it does the engine any good. Is the clutch involved? If it is, isn't it going to cause premature wear from slamming through the gears?

 

More importantly, have I completely got "the wrong end of the stick"?

 

Cheers boys and girls....

[Simon Davey]

Well, I think I have my answers, I've watched these videos.

I do think it seems a bit savage on the engine and final drive though...

[rob m]

I have one on mine and I love it. Mine only works on upshifts and apart from sounding great it's really useful if you're a short shifter like me. I like to ride off the torque mainly. Saying that, the quick shifter on the K13S works best when under load. I don't worry about the effects on the engine, clutch, gearbox etc because I've used clutchless upshifts on every bike I've owned since the 90s prior to this one without issue. 

 

BTW I have a mate who has the Healtech quickshifter and absolutely loves it on his old Fireblade.

 

 

[Simon Davey]

Thanks @rob m

I do use my clutchless up shift a lot, but that works with a momentary drop in power. I guess a quick shift isn't that different. 

[Punts]

In simple terms, a quick-shifter is a switch connected to the gearlever/linkage.

When you move the lever to change gear, it cuts the ignition spark to the plugs,( momentarily switching off the engine ), cutting the drive load on the gearbox and allows you to select the next gear. When the gear lever returns to the middle position, it re-instates the spark. 

It saves the time it takes to pull in the clutch, shut the throttle, open the throttle and release the clutch again.

In clutchless changes, you take the load off the gearbox by closing the throttle.

I don't know about the ZZR1200, but ZZR1400's do not like a quickshifter fitted. The circlip retaining teeth on the secondary gearbox shaft break off, allowing the gears to have excess end float, causing difficulty in getting gears.

I, like you, have done clutchless changes for years just by closing the throttle, only on up changes, my bikes have always been fine.

[Simon Davey]

Thank you @Punts That's easy to understand explanation. 

I won't be fitting one any time soon (although it would double the scrap value), I was curious about it. 

[Bender]

I'm happy to do the slightly slower clutchless shift, I'm never in that much of a hurry....

[bonio]

Have to say I like a having a quickshifter. It really does what it says on the tin. 

[bonio]

1 minute ago, bonio said:

I like a quickshifter. It really does what it says on the tin: the bike really does shift more quickly.

 

[bonio]

Meant to edit. Reposted instead. Needed a better brain.

Edited November 3, 2024 by bonio

[Punts]

1 hour ago, Bender said:

I'm happy to do the slightly slower clutchless shift, I'm never in that much of a hurry....

I'm the same, my fastest acceleration is passing traffic, also I'm a retired mechanic and now I'm more sympathetic to the engine and gearbox.

My mate had an MT09 with a shifter, he liked using it. I have a ZZR1400, so read about the circlip/shaft issue on the forums, and have a mate with a ZX9 that did the same thing, circlip retainers broken. No shifter but he does a lot of clutchless changes, usually with one wheel in the air.

[Steve_M]

My GS has a clutch-less shift system that I use sporadically. It matches the revs as you change gear. It works fine except for the lower gears where it’s all a bit - sudden. 
 

 

[S-Westerly]

The Guzzi has one and it's up and down shifter. It's OK at higher speeds but a bit savage lower down. I'm ambivalent about it as I don't have a problem using the clutch, I'm never in that much of a hurry.

[iangaryprice]

4 hours ago, Steve_M said:

My GS has a clutch-less shift system that I use sporadically. It matches the revs as you change gear. It works fine except for the lower gears where it’s all a bit - sudden. 
 

 

I have a BMW F900, it has the optional "quick shifter". MY bike as e demo, so it had a lot of options including quick shifter fatory fitted. I'm not that impressed with it, mostof the time easing off the throttle givesa smoothe clutchless gearchange. If I was buyng new I wouldn't spend my money on it.

[RideWithStyles]

Some bikes haven't had them designed in mind from the beginning (old blades, Zzr gsxr  etc) so add one will more likely damage them. Now not to say you couldn’t but one thing i would say it that they would have to be VERY meticulously calibrated / tuned to that specific bike and it’s behaviour to allow a lot of leeway. Also to actual service it a lot more often than the normal road user does now or will to just to preserve the gb. 
 

most of the very modern ones (factory) have been designed quite well if they have good hardware and software with re calibration at every service with detail in mind, if not then it’s more likely to damage with use.

aftermarket it’s mostly down the software and tune….

 

my mind is if it doesn’t work brilliantly all the time in all situation's (regardless of rev and speeds, up and down) for the road user and bike then its pointless and shouldn’t be on it for many reasons. 

[Working Class Hero]

A lot (if not most) of the modern bikes now come with quickshifters and blippers factory fitted. I love it, especially the auto blipper!

[Capt Sisko]

You have to remember quick shifters came from the track, developed for fast revving engines changing gear at speed. Transfer that to say a large single or twin at more modest speeds on our congested road and it ain't ever going to be so smooth as the one an R1 on the track. That's not to say they can't be useful and many riders love them, but you need to manage your expections if your riding style is more modest or ride a lower revving and more tourqey bike.

Edited November 5, 2024 by Capt Sisko

[Punts]

I don't have a shifter on any of my bikes, but I've found that after I'm in 3rd gear, when changing up, the clutch lever only gets a token pull, maybe about a third of the travel, so really I'm short shifting.

Changing down, the clutch lever gets fully pulled in, throttle off and a probably bit of braking as well. 

The Blackbird dosen't have a slipper clutch.