Quick shifters find widespread use in the motorcycle racing industry, where every split second is crucial, and the moment it takes to change gears can determine whether you win or lose the race. They are easy to install, and you can achieve faster lap times when you replace clutchless upshifting with quick shifting. Many regular motorcyclists also install quick shifters for the convenience and better performance they provide.
What is a quick shifter?
A quick shifter is an electronic device that you can install on motorcycles that have manual transmission. Its specific purpose is to reduce the time you would usually take to change the motorcycle gears. After installing the quick shifter, you do not need to use the clutch or the throttle to shift gears, and that results in faster gear changes and a reduction in motorcycle speed to put you at a disadvantage during a race.
What are the types of quick shifters?
You can get two types of quick shifters for your motorcycle. The first type allows clutchless upshifting, and the second type allows both clutchless upshifting and clutchless downshifting. Since the second type blips or automatically opens the throttle when downshifting the gears, it is also called an auto blipper. It provides smooth downshifting by increasing the motorcycle engine RPM and matching the revs to its speed and also prevents the rear wheel from locking up.
How do quick shifters work?
Quick shifters work by cutting and reactivating the ignition spark plugs within a few milliseconds. When you fit a quick shifter device on your motorcycle, you can attach its sensor switch to the gearshift rod or lever. Every time you compress the lever to change gears, the sensor senses the pressure and cuts off the spark plugs. Cutting the ignition takes the load off the gearbox, and it becomes easier to change the gears. The quick shifter then reactivates the ignition. The whole process takes place so fast it does not affect the motorcycle speed.
To achieve the same effect in a regular motorcycle without a quick shifter, you have to disengage the drivetrain from the engine by rolling the throttle and pulling the clutch. The gearbox will lose its load as the engine revs fall and the power flow to the transmission stops. You can then easily change the gears. Next, you can release the clutch and roll back the throttle to regain your earlier motorcycle speed. It is also a fast process, but it still takes seconds more than the quick shifter. The brief lag could set you back in a race.
Why you might need a quick shifter for your bike?
You might need a quick shifter for your motorcycle for these reasons:
• It makes it easier to shift the motorcycle gears.
• It saves you from having to use the clutch or throttle for before or after gear shifts.
• It enables you to change gears without losing the motorcycle speed.
• It takes a mere millisecond to do the upshift.
• It is possible to change gears while turning around a corner.
• It only takes a single move to shift with a quick shifter.
• It makes for a convenient and hassle-free ride.
Is it worth it to get a quick shifter?
It depends on your purpose for getting a quick shifter. If you are into racing, then the extra cost that adds to the overall price of the motorcycle for getting a factory-installed or aftermarket device may very well be worth your while. It will improve your chances of winning races after all. Just make sure you get a device compatible with your motorcycle model when buying an aftermarket option. These devices do not work at low speeds with some engines and could give you a bumpy ride.
If you only mean to ride your motorcycle on busy city streets, then the expense of getting a quick shifter may not be worth it. When you have no intention of speeding, the time lag does not matter. You could instead try clutchless shifting, which is shifting the motorcycle gears without using the clutch. However, you have to do this precisely, or you could end up ruining the gearbox.