GP shift

[PJ]

There are tracks where I need to shift mid corner and there's no room to get my foot under the shifter.

Must be those clown feet you have, Kevin.

You know what they say...

Big feet...big...







Boots.

[Jason748]

I curious why some think the reverse pattern is better?  I due understand the left turn clearance thing, but what else makes it better for you?

[EX_#76]

I curious why some think the reverse pattern is better?  I due understand the left turn clearance thing, but what else makes it better for you?

It think that I can upshift faster with a gp pattern, and the shifts are more assertive.

[Gixxerblade]

Whenever I am at VIR I have timing problems with STD shift. I tried the GP but couldn't get used to it because it was one more thing to think about. I think I have those timing issues figured out and the season ends so I have to start all over again.

[J Farrell / Speed Tech Motorsp]

Aww Man we had like a 10 page ordeal on GP shifting last winter. It's deja vu all over!

I'm all about standard shift pattern. Have no problems running it whatsoever. I have my reasons as to why it is better than GP. I explained it all last winter. Dig it up somewhere in a search.

I'm going to find a link somewhere on here.

GP was probably originated when guys where dragging  their boots on the ground because of improper ground clearance since adjusting chassis ride height was rare in the olden days. So a easy fix was to flip the shifting mechinism.
Thats the only so called advantage I have ever heard of to shifting GP style. Well my boots don't drag & of all the track I've been at my boots don't hit the asphalt so why change my pattern after I have been using it standard way since I was 5 yrs old! Natural instinct in my brain during quick reaction times of shifting to shift standard pattern.
My shift pattern is good enough for the times I run!

It's up to you what you want to do. Shift with your hands for all I care. Standard works for me great!

[J Farrell / Speed Tech Motorsp]

My post from last winter on this topic:

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.   Sorry ladies had to do it. 

[Super_KC124]

Must be those clown feet you have, Kevin.

You know what they say...

Big feet...big...







Boots.

Not true. I have big feet but I wear small boots. Go figure?
See you in St. Louis?

[Court Jester]

Considering switching to a reverse shift pattern next year...... I tried it out a couple years ago (3 track days in a row) and could never come to grips (after 4 off-track excruciation's and a lowside).

SO..... Those of you who have switched recently, How long did it take you before you were "really" comfortable with it?

I'm a fan of gp shift. One of my first track days (before I learned to keep my toes on the pegs) I was taking a fast right hand turn. I had my weight on the outside peg with my toes over the shifter and accidentally down shifted. OMG, scared the bajesus out of me. I pulled into the pits next time around.
Plus I was always missing up shifts on the straights.
I went to gp shifting and loved it. I figured out that "For Me" the best set up is with the shifter just a wee bit higher than the foot peg. Makes it a little awkward to up shift till you get used to it being so high and different, but it makes up shifting effortless and it's super easy to slip your toe under it for down shifts. Plus my pegs are only about 1.5 to two inches long also. Which helps move my foot around also.
But that's just what I found works for me. 

[benprobst]

My post from last winter on this topic:

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.   Sorry ladies had to do it. 

you talk waaaaaaay to much. you may not lead in post count, but I bet you lead in character count. sheeeesh

[johnny scheff]

  Whatever floats your boat. Six of one and a half dozen of the other.  I still street ride,  so everytime I ride a GP bike I am glad the owner of the bike didn't hear the noise that the motor made when I grabbed a downshift rolling on to the straight.  I'm not smart enough to switch.  I was at KSSS a few years ago and mentioned to Schwantz that I was going to try GP.  He told me that I was nuts.  I wouldn't go that far.  Whatever works - Johnny

[J Farrell / Speed Tech Motorsp]

You think I talk too much huh. Well check out my post in riding skills.