It just takes time to get use to and you will have to actually think out your shifts beforehand. I have four shift patterns in my head for different bikes now and it takes but a few minutes to get it straightened out.

 

I actually set my bike up in the garage on the race stand and practiced my shifting and change of direction a few days one week. I'd visualize the turns that i rode or the tracks that i'd ride at and after a few goes it became second nature. It also help getting re-aquainted with foot positioning on the pegs in prempting gear changes.

You'll get there in no time, it's just a matter of out with the old, in with the new.


Max

 

No worries, you will get it down cold in a few sessions on the track and not even think about it anymore.

I go back and forth on occasion now with no problems when I ride a standard shift bike.

 

I have GP shift also. I have had it for a while now so its pretty much second nature. +1 on practicing while the bike is on the stand. I would keep doing what youre doing. Pratice shifting while saying which way you are shifting out loud.

 

i rode for a long time then switched over to GP shift. its 2nd nature on the track. i've messed once, sorta scary cause i upshifting at about 125 mph, caught myself before it i let out the clutch again. this was before i do all clutchless upshifts though. its relaly quick to learn.

i've messed it up once on public roads, and maybe a few times pulling to a stop where i try to hit down to get into 1st. hehe. don't fret about it, it will become 2nd nature.

 

The first thing I do when I get another bike is switch it to GP shift.

I have three in my garage now and all of them have GP.

 

When I first did it, I just kept telling myself in my head while riding. It'll be second nature before you know it.

 

Try thinking this way while you are out there....

When youre down, shift down...when youre up, shift up.

So, when youre in a straight down below the windscreen tucked in, youre shifting down on the lever.
When you sit up braking into a corner, youre shifting up on the lever to drop gears.

 

You will really enjoy the GP shift pattern once you get used to it a bit more. Don't give up. It'll come. And, if by chance you just don't get used to it, you can always stick with the std pattern. I know a few guys who hate GP shift and ride std, and they're faster than I am (maybe not saying much there, lol)

Why is it that riders who use GP shift can more easily ride both shift patterns on multiple bikes (GP and std) but it's not so easy for someone with a std shift pattern to ride a GP right away? Has anyone else noticed this?

 

I got used to GP shift after about 2 sessions at the track. Down shifting into first when almost redlining second kinda drilled it into my head that I changed my shifting pattern.

 

^:lol Exactly what I'm worried about. Could you imagine doin that mid corner? It's a recipe for a wreck.

And on Mulatto's comment, I think those that have ridden both GP and standard shift bikes have it a littl easier because they've had to go through that retraining process. I've always ridden standard shift for the past 3 years, so it's a total no brainer. Now I have to think about it and fight myself on the no-brainage wantin to go the opposite direction.

I will stick with it. I like it so far. I also like evildead's idea for helpin get it in my head. shift down when your tucked down, shift up when you're up. I'll give that a shot.

 

not to sound like a total idiot, but whats GP shifting? like an upside down shift pattern?

 

^we have a winner :thumbup

 

whats the advantage of having that?

 

"GP (reverse shift) makes it easier to change up a gear when fully cranked over as your foot does not need to be under the gear lever.

Ground clearance is the issue for racers.

Also now you are stamping down on the lever to change up which generally means more positive shift (especially as you consider that most fast riders do not use the clutch to change up) Less missed gears" Also in the tucked position it is easier to step down to up shift then pull back in a sense when trying to push yourself forward.

I used to ride dirt bikes and quads since i knew how to ride a bicycle, since then i always shifted using std shifting. When i purchased the R6 i read something about GP shifting on the forums...after a few months i switched over to GP because I thought it was the cool thing to do (yeah i wont lie i was a poser) well for me my brain literally shifted over from STD to GP in a matter of minutes. After a couple days of completely mastering it it became second nature. The best way i can explain it is that it just feels like a much more natural way of riding. I can shift my brain from GP to STD when riding a diff bike but i dont think i could ever really go back to STD on my own rides.

 

Well, just got done workin on Tetsuo's R1, which is also GP shift. I hopped on her for a test ride, and didnt misshift it once round the hood. It was cake tonight. I think I'm gettin the hang of it. :woot

 

just say to yourself...

down = faster
up = slower.

 

all it takes is time, for me its second nature now and when ever i hop on a buddies bike i have to ask them and make sure that their shifting is 1 down 5 up and they look at me like ive never rode a bike before.

 

I'll be switching to GP shift over the winter as well. I never really saw the need for it until I was having to really reach for the 2-3 upshift going through Turn 2 at Summit Point. Still, if you never really like it, there are even some MotoGP racers who still use standard shift. I believe Colin Edwards, for one.

 

Still, if you never really like it, there are even some MotoGP racers who still use standard shift. I believe Colin Edwards, for one.

So does Chris Vermeulen.

GP shift = :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup

I didn't have any problems switching from standard to GP shift, it just takes a little bit of practice like everyone's been saying. I suppose if you need a trick to remember which way is up shifting you could just always leave your foot on top of the shifter and just remember to push down. I'm sure everyone here would agree that it's always better to accidentally go up a gear than down a gear.....

Once you get used to it though, you'll never go back to standard shift.

 

how do you do a conversion for something like that?

 

Generally on the R6 it requires either aftermarket rearsets, or a GP shift rod from a company like Woodcraft.

 

On the 06-07 R6 you can just flip the shift rod bracket around to the opposite side on the splined shaft sticking out of the tranny, effectively reversing your shift. Although I've got the rearsets already, there's no need for aftermarket rearsets or any other parts to do that on the 06-07. You may need minor notching on bodywork if you run race glass, or you might have to cut the insulating foam on the OEM bodywork.

 

if you think about why its good to have reverse shift, it is easier to remember.
(1) when you are in a corner you dont have to take your foot off to upshift!!!
(2) as evildead said it perfectly when your tucked push down and when your up downshift.