Preferred shift pattern - road or race?

**jrandom** · 21st November 2007, 15:35

Having recently spent some time on bikes with both shift patterns on the road, I can confidently say that I prefer riding with 1-up, 5-down 'race' shifters.

Changing down and blipping the throttle seems more natural when I'm hooking my foot up rather than pressing down, and shifting up while accelerating hard and tucked in is a lot simpler if I just have to press down rather than get my toes under the shift lever and pull it upwards.

Those of you who've tried both, which do you prefer riding with?

(Please consider the question on its own merits rather than incorporating the issue of having to switch back and forward on different bikes - imagine that every bike in the world is suddenly and automagically converted to your favourite pattern.)

Yes, mods, this topic's been covered before, but nobody's done a poll, mm kay?

**Maha** · 21st November 2007, 15:42

Changing down and blipping the throttle seems more natural when I'm hooking my foot up rather than pressing down, and shifting up while accelerating hard and tucked in is a lot simpler if I just have to press down rather than get my toes under the shift lever and pull it upwards.

You make it sound as though its all an effort when is like relly licking an envelope ....not that good at first but you get used it and then it becomes 2nd nature. 1 down 5 up for me, im used to it and now i buy self sticky envelopes....

**Cajun** · 21st November 2007, 15:44

i found it funny but thats due to fact i can sometimes ride 3 differnet bikes in the same week, so always felt funny, i tried it a while on my 1100, and was nice, but got annoyed everytime i went to another bike i would mess up

**jrandom** · 21st November 2007, 15:45

Originally Posted by maha man

1 down 5 up for me, im used to it...

I know. That's why I directed my question to those who've tried both. Have you?

**Maha** · 21st November 2007, 15:49

Originally Posted by jrandom

I know. That's why I directed my question to those who've tried both. Have you?

No....i think i would highside soon after taking off, you know, changing up when i should be changing down, thats arsuming im on a 1 up 5 down change pattern

**boomer** · 21st November 2007, 15:53

Originally Posted by Cajun

i found it funny but thats due to fact i can sometimes ride 3 differnet bikes in the same week, so always felt funny, i tried it a while on my 1100, and was nice, but got annoyed everytime i went to another bike i would mess up

almost as annoying as someone not replying to your pm

ahhaha

tried both, and when i consciously go to remember on race shit i fook up. took of at a t-junction after stopping and lent the bike, twist the throttle.. and nearly dropped the bike as i was in 6th .. Doh !

**jrandom** · 21st November 2007, 15:53

Originally Posted by maha man

No...

**jrandom** · 21st November 2007, 15:54

Originally Posted by boomer

tried both, and when i consciously go to remember on race shit i fook up.

Sigh. I know. We all do.

I'm trying to establish what most riders would prefer if the issues that arise from having to switch back and forth could be eliminated.

**boomer** · 21st November 2007, 15:59

ok.. my preference would be race shift for the ease of use as you suggest. I will log that into the poll and you should have ya statistics as required.

**boomer** · 21st November 2007, 16:00

oh bollox.. i voted for the wrong fookin thing.

i need a smoko

**James Deuce** · 21st November 2007, 16:01

Push down to go faster on the track, push down to go slower on the road. It seems to make sense to me.

I scrape toes and pegs lightly on the road every now and then. On the track my enormous paddle would get trapped under the shifter with annoying regularity using a road pattern. 3 Doesn't fit though cos I DO care.

**Crisis management** · 21st November 2007, 16:05

I've never had a problem with either method and can't say that either struck me as better, however I've never ridden the same bike with both to get a direct comparison.
I've always considered shift patterns, lever location etc as one of those bike foibles you adapt to. Obviously I voted option 3.....

**cowpoos** · 21st November 2007, 16:13

I preffer road pattern on the track,road,in the paddock,in the bush and even in ditches.

why...because It makes feck all difference other than personal prefference to 98% of riders...

the main reasons I preffer road shift...because I [thats me...as in my opinion] find it easier to brake from high speed at the track and down shift fast and positivly.
also....doing big fuck off wheelies through the gears is easier with road shift...especially standup wheelies...I don't really find it a issuse changing gears while cranked over...maybe becuase I have small feet?? [size 8] I dunno...as thats the only real benifit for it?? everything else is co-ordination.

**F5 Dave** · 21st November 2007, 16:35

All my roadbikes, race bikes & dirtbikes have road pattern. Never had an issue - no one changes gear more than a peaky 50cc racer, & it leans for Pisa (. . . ok that last bit was a lame analogy). Never have to think about it (had to a little when I had it on an old racebike).

Was good enough for Kevin Schwantz. Maybe I'll change it when I'm better than him huh?