GP or standard shift pattern?

[Super Dave]

Been on a CBR400RR...

Your VFR still makes more torque and power than an old 125...

I'm out of this thread...

If anyone wants to talk more...come to my school...drop a note...

[Sunny]

Been on a CBR400RR...

Your VFR still makes more torque and power than an old 125...

I'm out of this thread...

If anyone wants to talk more...come to my school...drop a note...

True, except mine is a RVF which doesn't have the close ratio gearbox in the VFRs (Honda makes the RVF a better streetbike than a race machine compared to VFR).  

I'll try to fit one of your school events into my schedule (looks like next year though as nothing really fits this year).  I would love to have you for this coming Monday's STT Grattan LED event (July 5th), but I can't afford your salary unless Dan helps paying for it!   ::)   ;D

[ecumike]

I definitely recommend GP shift. Esp. on the smaller bikes where you're shifting more.. Not only for left handers but also for right handers.. when you're leaning over it's just easier to push down on the pedal then having to get underneath it and lift up.  EX:  At VIR T1 & 2 leaned over for that double right.

Also, I have a quickshifter and I can't imagine trying it with standard shift pattern.

[secularist]

I decided to switch to GP the first time I was really "on it" at Summit Point going from T7 to T8 (fast right to fast left)...it was everything I had to grab the upshift as I'm trying to push down with my left foot to get the bike over at the same time.  Finished my first race and switched to GP...after that weekend rode around the neighborhood to get used to it and that's that.

whatever works for you is the point but there are real world reasons (as Super Dave mentioned) that make the difference, if you can just spend a few to get used to it.

[J Farrell / Speed Tech Motorsp]

It doesn't matter. Do what works for you. I raced dirt bikes my whole life and tried GP after I started road racing and I lost many races for 2 years because I tried to switch. I went back to normal pattern and actually like it better and feel it is the reason I can accomplish the times I do at many tracks.
There are many top level riders who use regular pattern shifting. Obviously they both work.
There are faults to using GP style shifting but I won't disclose those. That's left for you to find out.
So yes actually I'm a regular style guy. I have always believed to do what feels right for you & your riding style.
It doesn't make you faster or slower which way you shift. Just learn how to ride the thing.
It's so funny to me that riders think that changing their shift pattern will make all the difference in their lap times.  ;D
It's time to spend your money on a good roadracing school and learn how to set up your bike.
The only way to get faster is through hard work & dedication to the sport of racing. Through understanding how a motorcycle works completly will you only be able to go faster. All those expensive gadgets don't mean anything if you don't know what they were really made for.  ;)
I look forward to writing more post on this site. Have fun getting your bikes ready for next season.

[stumpy]

Well said Jason So what are the disadvantages to gp shift ;D



Stumpy

[J Farrell / Speed Tech Motorsp]

My reasons for using regular style shifting have nothing to do with making gear changes. It's more about weight placement on the pegs at certain times on certain tracks. Some downshifts have to be made too quickly right before you throw the bike to the right after making a left sweep.
Now I don't know how you turn your bikes but it hard to turn it with only your heel on the peg instead of the ball of your feet. Something taught to everyone their first day in roadracing school. When I tried GP shifting I couldn't get the bike turned in as quick and I didn't have control of the bike because I had to get my foot back over the shifter and positioned onto the peg. It's easier to slide it straight back than to pull it out from under the shift pedal. Either way the shifting part isn't a problem. It's the placement of the foot after the shifting is done.
If your shifting while cranked over through a left hander you shouldn't be shifting at that time anyways and if you absolutely must try shift up one gear prior to that spot. Or maybe your hanging off the wrong way on the bike which 80% of all regional level riders do. Get the weight to the inside and get the bike to stand up more through the turn.
Maybe you ride different than I do so maybe you like it better GP Style. But think about all the little things that get affected if you do change. Not many guys look into stuff like that. You need to kind of be a complainer to yourself while on the track. If you don't like something fix it to work better to suit your needs. Don't just sit on the bike and ride it for what it is. Make it what you want it to do.
There are many other instances where I like regular style shifting better because of weight placement on the pegs. I can give specifics but you might not ride like that so it might not bother you. Do what works for you. Just because most GP guys do it doesn't mean it's better. Think outside the box. Don't assume cause everyone else is doing it you should too.
I have had very close calls to ending my racing career because of shifting the wrong way while trying to change over. I almost took out many people several times. Imagine coming out of the old kink at Road America and shifting down instead of up with a freight train of guys behind you!! I got bumped and sent 2 guys into the grass. The whole time I didn't know which way to shift to correct it. I got confused. Once you develop an instinct it's sometimes embedded in your brain to do something when you think a certain way. Like quick reaction timing you just do what natraully comes to you. Now shifting normal pattern since the age of 5 and racing since 5. It's hard to change.
Ever hear of the street guy who hits someone head on while actually trying to avoid an accident. It happens all the time. It's because his natural quick reaction timing is to steer away from the accident because that's whay you do in a car is to turn away from the accident. So he actually countersteers right into it. Thats what its like for someone to change after doing it for so many years.
All I've got to say is I'm much happier shifting normal style and its relaxing to me not having to think about it. If you can overcome that go for it. But like I said don't think if you have GP shifting that everything is going to be perfect. Nothing's perfect unless its a woman.  ;D Sorry ladies had to do it.  :P

[tzracer]

I don't think either method is better. What matters is what works best for YOU.

[Dawn]

Nothing's perfect unless its a woman.  ;D Sorry ladies had to do it.  :P

Don't be sorry...

You are absolutely correct.

 ;D

[Rick Beggs]

gp seems to work much better on the track, i have all my bikes gp, but i ride standard shift bikes daily, i find that the only time i have a problem is after a near highside or something like that

[mike_rbm]

I like GP. There's a reason most racers use it but as metioned before it's what works best for you. Once I tried it and gave it a few laps to get used to it I've never gone back.  

[PJ]

I like GP. There's a reason most racers use it but as metioned before it's what works best for you. Once I tried it and gave it a few laps to get used to it I've never gone back.  

I think a lot of racers use it because they think it's going to make them faster, or because they think it's the "thing" to do. It's all preference.

I street shift. So does Kevin Schwantz and a bunch of other pretty fast guys. Why? Because it's their preference.