BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Has anyone installed an aftermarket gear selector indicator in thier bike?

I've been riding R's since 2003 and have never heard of anyone doing this. Is there one even available?

If you're new to the BMW it doesn't take too very long to get to know (98% of the time) what you're in. I tend to unconsciously count in my head the gear changes.

I figure, if you can't remember what gear your in...well..maybe its time..

:-)

kirby wrote:I figure, if you can't remember what gear your in...well..maybe its time..

:-)

It might be getting near that "time". But I can't remember.........

what’s the reason for the aftermarket selector? Broken parts etc?

Agree with the above. It seems for me the only time that it would really matter is when I want to be in neutral and I think I have already figured out where I am before that moment arrives.

my tach broke on way back to richmond VA from green bank WV on highway 250. I used to be anble to tell the difference between 5th and 6th gear by the tach. I am at 94,000 miles on the bike and put 50,000 on myself. Now between 50-60 mph. I find myself pulling in the clutch to shift into 6th gear and forgot that I was already in 6th. My hunch on the Tach issue is a ground fault. It bounces between 2,000 to 3,000 rpm.. so I unplugged from behind the instroment console for now. until the next time I pull the tank and troubleshoot the connections. I also wear earplugs inside my helmet.

In the lower gears, count them if it matters. I almost always shifted without the clutch below 3,000 RPMs so making the 5? 6? decision was quicker with a simultaneous quick throttle chop and lever tap, since every motorcycle made gives 1 of 2 indicators that you already are in 6th. When you try to shift for 7th gear your shift lever will either be frozen in position -or- move freely the full stroke without any ratchet engagement.
My `09 F800ST has the "frozen" lever in trying for 7th, but it also has the factory 3/4" tall single LCD digit showing the "gear" it's in; 1-N-2-3-4-5-6. No need to count anymore. There's even a bright green Neutral light showing in addition to the "N". Also, when shifting, the feedback of moving fat/heavy OilHead transmission gears was replaced with small lightweight F800 bike gears.

I have never counted gears and its a rare occasion when I don't know exactly where I stand w/gears. Its an unconscious thing from 100Ks miles of riding.
The getrag may clunk but its not all that unsmooth and hard stiff shift as I have ridden enough different brands to compare, including the rotax powered BMWs.

The Japanese make some of the best shifting machines. (maybe even the best in my experience.)

I was just poking a bit of humor with my comment above..

If someone wants a display of the gears by all means do it, or don't buy a machine w/o it.

I always thought it would be nice to have an indicator but like most, I pretty much know where I’m at... I enjoyed the humor, especially Towerworker’s comment at his expense. And I don’t think he OP took any offense.

Gear indicator wouldn't help me: I've been trying to shift into that "one extra gear" on every oilhead owned since '97.

Indeed!

:-)

Doesn't matter what gear you're in as long as it's the right one for the situation.

riceburner wrote:Doesn't matter what gear you're in as long as it's the right one for the situation.

Is that like the old song "Love the one you're with"?

I have Gipro gear indicator on the Bandit. I rather like it. Granted the spread from 5th to 6th isn't as great as on the 1150.
http://www.holeshot.com/suzuki/bandit/6 ... -indicator

I guess I don't understand the point. If you're riding and you're not in the right gear as evidenced by the engine response, you shift to the right one...right?

I think I'm missing the benefit of seeing a number to indicate what gear the bike is in.

Its the "information age" you have to know where you are and exactly where your going('cause a faceless voice is telling you) and have a phone in your pocket(if it fits).
We now add what gear your in..(sort of useless to me like the rest.....)

We are being covered up with information..pity.

:-)

kirby wrote:Its the "information age" you have to know where you are and exactly where your going('cause a faceless voice is telling you) and have a phone in your pocket(if it fits).
We now add what gear your in..(sort of useless to me like the rest.....)

We are being covered up with information..pity.

:-)

I endorse this opinion.

Wishing there was a 'like' button!

kirby wrote:Its the "information age" you have to know where you are and exactly where your going('cause a faceless voice is telling you) and have a phone in your pocket(if it fits).
We now add what gear your in..(sort of useless to me like the rest.....)

So - particularly for the BMW boxer - how do we all feel about the tachometer? Necessary?