Quickshifter - worth it?

[ThunderGuts]

Loving my 2019 XR, but the lure of a quickshifter is calling . . . the question is, is it worth it? I clutchless change easily enough and it's pretty smooth, but if really going for it, e.g. on an overtake, it'd be nice to be able to snick the next gear without having to think. Do they work well at lower rpms and lower throttle inputs, i.e. during "normal" riding? Thoughts?

Cheers

[Scimitar]

I have a Honda quickshifter fitted to my 2016 model. It is brilliant for overtakes, which can be executed faster and smoother too, since there are no bar twitches due to clutch pulling. IMO overtakes are hugely better with the quickshifter.
During normal riding I use it for all gears above second, but the effectiveness and smoothness vary, depending on throttle settings. The QS is great under any load but more finicky at lighter or trailing throttles, when it can be snatchy and inconsistent.
In fairness this variability is is probably more operator-error than technical and I do achieve lots of silky smooth shifts at town speeds. When I analyse a snatchy change, it is usually because I have made poor contact with the gear shift lever or, worse, touched the clutch lever - that really cocks things up!
I am still learning the techniques for the quickshifter. Historically, I have always slightly "pre-loaded" the shift lever prior to declutching. This gives a fast seemless shift and works well. But you must NOT "pre-load" with a QS - it triggers engine power lift and totally ruins the shift, especially if you touch the clutch as well. Trust the QS and use it for all upshifts. I often 'help' the 1st to 2nd gear shift with a declutch but its more habit and confidence than a criticism of the device.
Recommended. You'll love the overtakes!

[Skids]

Hi TG.

I had a QS on my previous 2015 Cr, bought second-hand on this site. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it did make rapid/high-throttle gear changing slicker and more fun.

You say you clutchless change already, me too. The difference therefore is less pronounced, and as there no bar twitches anyway when you clutchless change, there's not much more to recommend a QS unless you really want one.

My new 2018 Cr does not have a QS fitted. I decided not to buy a new one due to my view of the price vs benefit. But if you want one, get one as long as yr aware the benefit may not be worth the cost. Whatever you decide, ride safe! 

[voodoo]

I've got one aswell, alltough I like it I wouldn't really mis it. Wouldn't buy one again.

[Scimitar]

Originally Posted by voodoo

I've got one aswell, alltough I like it I wouldn't really mis it. Wouldn't buy one again.

You are right. Neither would I. But mine was already on the bike when I bought it.
The Honda box is so nice that it doesn't need a quickshifter. Sure, the overtakes are fantastic but there are stings in everyday traffic, due to the sensitivity conflict between gearlever/clutch and habits of a lifetime.

[voodoo]

Especially the habits of a lifetime! 

[CBM]

The bike i test rode before buying my Dresser had a QS, really couldn't see the point on a bike like this tbh.

[ThunderGuts]

Cheers all. I only asked because I recently had the pleasure of using one on a mate's S1000XR and it was pretty impressive, albeit that was more sophisticated as it'd go both up and down the 'box.

Sounds like for our bikes it's not worth it then. Thanks for the input - saves me a few hundred!

[Skids]

Originally Posted by ThunderGuts

Cheers all. I only asked because I recently had the pleasure of using one on a mate's S1000XR and it was pretty impressive, albeit that was more sophisticated as it'd go both up and down the 'box.

Sounds like for our bikes it's not worth it then. Thanks for the input - saves me a few hundred!

Unless, like me, you can find one second-hand for a lot less than new price.