Motorcycle GP shifting is used by ALL MotoGP riders for a reason.
In this post we'll find out what motorcycle GP shifting is, the differences between GP shifting and regular shifting, whether you need it, how to set it up on your motorcycle, and how to get started with it on the track. So let's get right into it!
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What is Motorcycle GP shifting?
GP shift, also known as reverse shifting or race shift, is a gear shifting pattern used primarily in motorcycle racing. Instead of the traditional “one down, five up” pattern, GP shifting flips it to “one up, five down.” To change to higher gear you push down and to downshift you pull the lever up.
There's a reason it's called "race shift" because this pattern is especially advantageous on the track!
Motorcycle GP Shifting vs. Regular Shifting
The difference between motorcycle GP shifting and regular shifting is that the GP shift is quicker and easier to perform in corners and this is where its advantage lies since pushing down to upshift can help save a few milliseconds which is huge in the world of track days where time is everything unlike in regular shifting which may cause you to slow down at a corner.
However for beginners or casual riders still figuring out the track I still recommend you stick to regular shifting.
Since regular shifting is already hardwired into your brain from using your everyday bike and is probably the first shifting pattern you learned, you will find it intuitive on the track as well allowing you to focus and learn on more important basics such as counter steering, using reference markers, learning the skill of technique of trail braking and more, by using regular shifting you simply have one less skill to focus on allowing you to give more attention to the other skills.
After being thorough with the basics: body position, trail braking, counter steering, and reference markers, and you are now comfortable on the track then you should switch to GP shifting.
Since you have already learned the basics of the track, you can now focus on learning GP shifting which will take effort since it is the opposite of your intuitive response to push down to downshift, taking time to build a new habit.
An interesting thing is that even some pro riders use regular shifting even while performing at high levels but the overwhelming of racers use GP shifting such as in MotoGP where all riders follow the race shift pattern, clearly proving its advantage, that's why making the switch is an important milestone in your racing journey.
Now that you know which choice is better for you, here's how to switch from regular shifting to GP shifting
How to Set Up Motorcycle GP Shifting?
It might seem too complex and mechanical to do this but it actually is quite doable and surprisingly simple however you can still go to your local mechanic or the track mechanic for help to set up GP shifting.
First things first, let’s talk about what you need. Most modern sportbikes can be converted to GP shifting with a few adjustments to the shift linkage. You’ll need a basic set of tools: wrenches, screwdrivers, and maybe a pair of pliers. If your bike has a quick shifter, make sure it’s compatible with GP shifting. Some quick shifters are designed specifically for standard shifting patterns and might not work properly if you switch to GP.
Start by locating the shift linkage on your bike. This is usually a rod or a series of rods that connect the shift lever to the transmission. On most bikes, you can simply flip the shift linkage to reverse the shifting pattern. This means that instead of pushing down to upshift, you’ll pull up. That's it! your motorcycle is now in race shift mode!
However, ensure that the shift linkage is secure and working smoothly because you do not want to be stuck in a gear while on the track! In a parking lot or the connecting road to the track from the paddock try downshifting and using your GP shifting to know if everything is working fine.
Learning the Technique and Skills for Motorcycle GP Shifting
One of the key reasons why despite the GP shifting's advantage is that learning takes effort and time even though it seems so simple to just push down to upshift, but that's the main reason.
Most of us when learning how to ride a motorcycle for the first time learned the regular shifting pattern and many of us have been riding with a regular shifting pattern on the street for years before hitting the track which makes it an intuitive habit and trying to switch to GP shift will inevitably have its awkward moments which is fine.
Hitting the track for the first time and switching to a completely different shifting pattern will unnecessarily make it harder for you to learn the basics as well as GP shifting. It will certainly take a bit of time and some effort to make GP shifting your new habit, thats why never get discouraged its absolutely normal!
When on the track learning GP shifting try to limit the number of gears you switch to which means you should start slower than your regular speed, when it has become intuitive for you to upshift 1 or 2 gears you can add another, and so on. Stick with G shifting till it becomes second nature to you even if you find it time consuming and even if it reduces your speed initially never try switching from regular to GP doing so will make it hard to learn either!
Conclusion
Motorcycle GP shifting also known as reverse shift pattern and race shift is always the better choice for track days for casual riders as well as competitive racers in comparison to regular shifting pattern.
If you are a beginner on the track continue using the regular shift but change to the GP shift when you are comfortable with the track basics
Set up GP shift by locating the shift linkage on your bike. This is usually a rod or a series of rods that connect the shift lever to the transmission. On most bikes, you can simply flip the shift linkage to reverse the shifting pattern.
Let me know if you have anything about racing anything and I'll respond immediately or if you would like us to cover any topic on your mind let us know in the comment down below and I'll see you guys next Thursday!
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