Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

I was watching "Closer to the edge" on the weekend and noticed when the likes of Guy Martin etc were selecting higher gears, they were pressing down on the gear lever and in some cases, holding the lever down for a few seconds.....

Why would the gearboxes on these bikes be different to our normal machines...?

Just thought I'd ask.

GP shifter?

Reverse gear shift pattern.

Article here on the pro's & con's of reversing your gear shift pattern.

same as most gp bikes and WSBK. Although some stick to conventional, in most cases you want to be able to shift up easier than down.

e.g. PI has a couple of corners where you would want to shift up mid corner, so therefore it is easier to just push down with your toe than get you foot underneath.

holding the gear lever down is just simple "positive shifting" holding it into the gear to make sure its fully engaged.

i use a quickshifter that is operated by a button on the handlebar, i put my foot under the lever, hold up and when im ready to change i hit the button with my left thumb and bang it goes through.

I came about this when i stacked my bike i bent the quckshifter rod beyong straightening, so just wired the wires into a button on the handlebar.

kawasaki race kit ecu's have this function built in, using the horn or the "pass" button.

At least I'll know now why you're tooting your horn out of corners on the CDT

Wattie wrote:holding the gear lever down is just simple "positive shifting" holding it into the gear to make sure its fully engaged.

i use a quickshifter that is operated by a button on the handlebar, i put my foot under the lever, hold up and when im ready to change i hit the button with my left thumb and bang it goes through.

I came about this when i stacked my bike i bent the quckshifter rod beyong straightening, so just wired the wires into a button on the handlebar.

kawasaki race kit ecu's have this function built in, using the horn or the "pass" button.

I'm impressed with your dexterity Wattie. I struggle remembering to hit the lap timer button once per lap let alone every gear change.

MickLC wrote:At least I'll know now why you're tooting your horn out of corners on the CDT

Muahahaha you should see my secret squirrel weapon!
It's a national secret.


On the Ktm in Motard trim I hit the kill switch to get the same effect.

As Wattie said its a good habit to get into, holding the lever pressure to ensure a good change as you release clutch lever...recommended

As Wattie said its a good habit to get into, holding the lever pressure to ensure a good change as you release clutch lever...recommended

You are all way to technical for me. Pink is the colour of my true loves .......