What Does a Quick Shifter Do?
Every split second counts in motorcycle racing, and the amount of time it could take you to shift the gear could make a crucial difference in whether you win or lose. That is why many race motorcyclists prefer using quick shifters over the practice of clutchless upshifting. It is easy to install a quick shifter, and it can keep the motorcycle running to its full potential and let you achieve faster lap times.
What is a quick shifter?
A quick shifter is a device you can install in motorcycles with manual transmission to decrease the time you need to shift gears. It allows you to change gears without using the clutch or the throttle. By enabling faster gear changes, the quick shifter can improve motorcycle performance.
There are two types of quick shifters. The ones that allow a clutchless upshift and those that can manage both a clutchless upshift and a clutchless downshift. The quick shifters with the downshift facility are also known as auto-blipper as they blip or open the throttle automatically when downshifting gears. It can increase the engine RPM and help to match the revs to the speed. That can achieve smooth downshifting and prevent the rear wheel from locking up.
How do quick shifters work?
A quick shifter device comes with a sensor switch that you can connect to the gearshift rod or lever. When you compress the gear lever to change gears, the sensor picks up this pressure and cuts off the spark plugs for a moment. With the ignition cut, the load is off the gearbox, and you can change gears easily. After the gear change, the quick shifter reactivates the ignition spark plugs. The entire process from pressing the gear lever to cutting the ignition to changing gears and reactivating the ignition occurs extremely fast, generally for a few milliseconds.
In a regular motorcycle without a quick shifter, you would aim for the same effect by rolling the throttle and pulling in the clutch to decouple the drivetrain from the engine. After the engine revs fall and power stops flowing through the transmission, the gearbox loses its load, making it easier to shift gears. After selecting the gear, you would have to release the clutch and roll back the throttle to regain the earlier speed. This process can take up seconds, and, as already mentioned, that could set you back in a motorcycle race.
What are the benefits of getting a quick shifter?
Some of the benefits of getting a quick shifter are as follows:
• The process of shifting motorcycle gears becomes easier with a quick shifter.
• It does away with the need to use the clutch or throttle before or after gear shifts.
• It prevents loss of motorcycle speed while changing gears.
• The upshifts take place in a millisecond, so the drive is practically uninterrupted.
• It is possible to shift gears even while turning corners.
• Since shifting with quick shifters requires just one move, the rider can focus better on the race.
• It makes for a safer, more convenient, and hassle-free ride.
Is it worth it to get a quick shifter?
Quick shifters can increase the overall cost of the motorcycle. The expense aside, your decision to get a quick shifter should depend on whether you use your motorcycle for racing or regular cruising. If you are a competitive bike racer, then a quick shifter is a must. It can save the valuable seconds that would otherwise have gone in making regular shift changes. However, quick shifters may not be worth it for city rides where you are unlikely to speed through crowded streets.
You can get a motorcycle with a factory-fitted quick shifter or buy aftermarket options for your existing one. If you are getting an aftermarket option, check with your dealer or mechanic if it is compatible with your motorcycle engine. Quick shifts do not work at lower speeds with some engines, and then the ride will not be as smooth.
Some racing motorcyclists prefer to use clutchless shifting instead of getting quick shifters. In clutchless shifting, you can shift the gears without using the clutch. However, if you fail to do it correctly, you may risk damaging the gears.
A quick shifter is a device you can install in motorcycles with manual transmission to decrease the time you need to shift gears. It allows you to change gears without using the clutch or the throttle. By enabling faster gear changes, the quick shifter can improve motorcycle performance.
There are two types of quick shifters. The ones that allow a clutchless upshift and those that can manage both a clutchless upshift and a clutchless downshift. The quick shifters with the downshift facility are also known as auto-blipper as they blip or open the throttle automatically when downshifting gears. It can increase the engine RPM and help to match the revs to the speed. That can achieve smooth downshifting and prevent the rear wheel from locking up.
How do quick shifters work?
A quick shifter device comes with a sensor switch that you can connect to the gearshift rod or lever. When you compress the gear lever to change gears, the sensor picks up this pressure and cuts off the spark plugs for a moment. With the ignition cut, the load is off the gearbox, and you can change gears easily. After the gear change, the quick shifter reactivates the ignition spark plugs. The entire process from pressing the gear lever to cutting the ignition to changing gears and reactivating the ignition occurs extremely fast, generally for a few milliseconds.
In a regular motorcycle without a quick shifter, you would aim for the same effect by rolling the throttle and pulling in the clutch to decouple the drivetrain from the engine. After the engine revs fall and power stops flowing through the transmission, the gearbox loses its load, making it easier to shift gears. After selecting the gear, you would have to release the clutch and roll back the throttle to regain the earlier speed. This process can take up seconds, and, as already mentioned, that could set you back in a motorcycle race.
What are the benefits of getting a quick shifter?
Some of the benefits of getting a quick shifter are as follows:
• The process of shifting motorcycle gears becomes easier with a quick shifter.
• It does away with the need to use the clutch or throttle before or after gear shifts.
• It prevents loss of motorcycle speed while changing gears.
• The upshifts take place in a millisecond, so the drive is practically uninterrupted.
• It is possible to shift gears even while turning corners.
• Since shifting with quick shifters requires just one move, the rider can focus better on the race.
• It makes for a safer, more convenient, and hassle-free ride.
Is it worth it to get a quick shifter?
Quick shifters can increase the overall cost of the motorcycle. The expense aside, your decision to get a quick shifter should depend on whether you use your motorcycle for racing or regular cruising. If you are a competitive bike racer, then a quick shifter is a must. It can save the valuable seconds that would otherwise have gone in making regular shift changes. However, quick shifters may not be worth it for city rides where you are unlikely to speed through crowded streets.
You can get a motorcycle with a factory-fitted quick shifter or buy aftermarket options for your existing one. If you are getting an aftermarket option, check with your dealer or mechanic if it is compatible with your motorcycle engine. Quick shifts do not work at lower speeds with some engines, and then the ride will not be as smooth.
Some racing motorcyclists prefer to use clutchless shifting instead of getting quick shifters. In clutchless shifting, you can shift the gears without using the clutch. However, if you fail to do it correctly, you may risk damaging the gears.