How do YOU shift?

[cbirk]

Also, how long did it take to get used it after converting?  I'm curious because my R6 came set up for gp shift pattern  and I'm thinking of leaving it.  Thanks

[mq105]

I ride a street bike as well as a track bike, so I have both bikes set up for standard shift. It's just one less thing to screw up, and I would rather miss a down-shift than an up-shift. I know some swear by GP-shift on the track, but for me standard works. That being said, I know riders who switch back and forth and say they don't have a problem. You have to do what works for you.

[clutch]

I use standard.  At most tracks, this isnt a problem at all.  The big benefit for standard is the more positive down shifts you get.  for me, going into T-1 and having to make 3 quick downshifts is a lot easier and more positive by pushing down on the shifter than having to pull up.  I tried GP for a while a few years ago and I also had a problem with hitting a few more false neutrals.  It's rider preference.

[Jeff]

GP, but I've gone back/forth with no problems...

[Court Jester]

i road my street bike for a day with the gp shift and haven't been able to go back. i wrecked and was forced to go back to my stock pegs and to the reg. shifting patern and ended up down shifting in the middle of the front straight at black hawk. same thing with a street bike i just picked up. it had the reg shift patern and went to pass a line of cars. about 80 in second gear wound out pretty good and down shifted. almost ate the driver side door of a car.
my little brain's just hooked on gp shift.

[Jason748]

With my Left foot... 
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.Sorry Chris, Had to be done.

[bigreid]

I went to GP shift really easily, but going back to regular is hard.

[cleezmo]

GP track, STD street

I switched 2 seasons ago when I got my GSX-R, and I immediately liked it better than standard pattern. I'd never go back to standard on the track, GP just seems more natural.

My streetbike is still standard, and I haven't had any real problems. I just have to mentally remind myself when I get on the streetbike that it's standard, and I don't have any issues.

[catman]

Standard cause too many years on it before trackracing- also like to be sure i can slow for turns by positively pushing down planting bike into the asphalt-john

[dabirk23]

Standard.  There are situations where a GP pattern would have an advantage.  However, would those situations be more of a benefit than what you would lose in having to think about the different pattern?
You've been riding using a standard pattern for 20 years, I don't think that changing to a RACE pattern will make you any faster.  Kevin Schwantz uses a standard pattern as well as a some other Champions. (Mladin?)
Just because something is called "race" doesn't mean it's better/faster.
Go with what works best for you.

[cardzilla]

I'm not sure how Schwantz was so fast with a standard shift... the problem lies mainly in left handers where you have to shift while leaned over... the standard pattern requires your foot be under the shifter and thus subject to dragging.  Kevin rode with his pegs almost up his a$$, I think that may have had a lot to do with it.

I think it is easy to learn, the only problem is that you usually revert to the standard shift in a panic.  Do some panic stops off track and practice that should help.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

GP is the way.  Once I tried it, I wondered who the moron was that invented standard shift.  It's good in long lefts for keeping your foot off the ground, but also in long rights when you're so far off the bike that reaching your toe underneath the shifter would be a hassle.  Plus that, if you get tossed out of the seat during a near-highside or near-lowside and step on the shifter when you land, you'll get an upshift instead of a downshift.  That could damn well make the difference between a spectacular save and a spectacular crash.