Quickshifter

[coffee]

Anyway, last year I test rode an MT10, a CB1000R and a R1250R.  Both the MT10 and R1250R had quick shifters.

First up was the MT10, I did actually ask if they could switch the quick shifter off as I was worried it would get in the way on the test ride.  No it can’t, and yes it did.  It’s hard to change the habit of a lifetime. I change up without the clutch all the time, I just snap the throttle closed then open, at the same time as prodding the gear lever.  It’s like an automatic reflex.  The MT10 did not like this behaviour one bit, I had to work hard against my instinctive reflex, but towards the end of the test ride I was starting to get the hang of it.  However, I felt that the quick shifter was a bit crude, but maybe that was just me not being used to it.

Next up was the CB1000R.  No quickshifter, so no problems.

Then the R1250R.  I asked again if the quick shifter could be switched off.  Nope sorry.  They told me just to use the clutch like normal if I didn’t want to quick shift.  They didn’t understand when I told them that that’s not normal to me.  Anyway, my brain had actually managed to get the hang of it after the MT10.  But I just found the thing crude and somewhat mechanically unsympathetic – it’s rough.  So, I ended up rolling off the throttle a fraction to compensate – so what’s the point?  Oh, the R1250R had an auto-blipper too, I just about remembered this towards the end of my 2hr test ride.  Maybe it wasn’t set up right, but I only tried it twice, rough as foc – nasty.


As far as I am concerned quick shifters are for racers.  Clutchless shifting without one is easy, anybody can do it.  Leaning to brake and blip the throttle whilst going down the box ain’t that hard either.  Learning these simple skills adds pleasure to riding a bike.


So quick shifter – it’s a no thanks from me.

Don't you think however smooth and used to it you are changing without the clutch puts wear on some parts of the box? I would have thought just fanning the lever and dropping the revs a gnats' would be a far kinder way of going up the box,then again if you've had no problems doing it fair enough,I personally do it if I'm going for it through the gears but not as a constant thing,only my opinion .