Anyone use a gear indicator?

[Ducati999]

My wife rides the Ninja 250 mostly and she never knows what gear she is in at any time. I did some research a couple of years ago and the Gear indicators would not work correctly with the NONinjected bikes. I just read an article that stated the new models worked with both carbs and injection. I like to make the bike a easy to ride for the wife as possible (the more she likes/loves it the more we get to ride together) and she has expressed interest in this before. Please anyone who has this on the carbed second gen 250 let me know how well it works, if you like it, how difficult it was to set up and any issues you may have had using it. I am most likely going to get one (unless there are a lot of negative responses) I just want to know what to expect before I buy.

Thanks to anyone who is willing to share their experience.

Please list the MFG and model you used and the make and model of your bike if its not an 08-2012 ninja 250

Thanks again

[Sirref]

One thing, why does she want to know what gear she's in? it seems to me like a moot point, if your rpms are high shift up and if you're in 6th then you'll realize it pretty quickly. If your rpms are low shift down. The actual speed you're going is negligible.

that said, this thread should have everything you need.
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=91040

[adouglas]

It's very useful when downshifting, e.g. coming up on an exit ramp, so you're sure you're in the right gear before you let out the clutch. Intending to get down to, say, third but actually being in second can upset the bike.

And I'm sure we've all tried to upshift from sixth gear.... I know I have.

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by adouglas

It's very useful when downshifting, e.g. coming up on an exit ramp, so you're sure you're in the right gear before you let out the clutch. Intending to get down to, say, third but actually being in second can upset the bike.

And I'm sure we've all tried to upshift from sixth gear.... I know I have.

Yes this ^ My wife grew up in the Philippines and most of the bikes there had 3 gears. She never learned to count as she shifted nor is she good at estimating her gear based on RPM. I have video of her riding on the highway at 10,000 rpm at 60 mph. Her bike is geared higher than stock so she was riding in 4th or 5th and didn't realize she wasn't in top gear. She just got back into riding so she is nervous and spends most of her time watching traffic for danger and cant focus on the gauges. Like I said in the original post I want her to be comfortable and enjoy riding so if this makes her have to think less about the bike so she can focus on what she is doing more then IT SHALL BE DONE! Happy wife = happy life There are no wiser words. Thanks to Sirref for the linky it really helped and gave me some ideas.

I still would like to hear from more people as to their experience with these indicators. I would like to know if they work well or if everyone seems to have issues with them. We may be trading the 250 in for a 300 next year and with the injection the indicators work really well so if most people indicate they have issues I may just wait but I would like to do it this year if there are not many problems. I read about people using switches rather than the magnetic set up they come with so let me know if you changed anything also

Thanks again

[subxero]

^ TLDR

kinda with Ben on this one. if your rpms are in good range then you are gtg who cares about what gear it is?

If you are just slamming through 4 gears as you roll to a stop/slow down with the clutch in perhaps you should evaluate your down shifting

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Ducati999

.........She just got back into riding so she is nervous and spends most of her time watching traffic for danger and cant focus on the gauges............

Sorry, I don't know about gear indicators.

I am concerned with the dangers of her re-training.
Her brain is getting overwhelmed now and that could lead to simple mistakes and she could get hurt.

IMHO, she should not be dealing with traffic until she develops automatic reactions with the controls.

She can do so in a much safer and gratifying way by using good amounts of time within a safe environment, if you have something like that close to home.

I see the indicator as an additional distraction of her attention to traffic.

[cbinker]

Originally Posted by Sirref

One thing, why does she want to know what gear she's in? it seems to me like a moot point, if your rpms are high shift up and if you're in 6th then you'll realize it pretty quickly. If your rpms are low shift down. The actual speed you're going is negligible.

that said, this thread should have everything you need.
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=91040

for a new rider it can be very useful for when coming to a stop. new riders tend to forget things and knowing that you are in 3rd gear instead of 1st gear coming to a stop would be very helpful for newbies.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by cbinker

for a new rider it can be very useful for when coming to a stop. new riders tend to forget things and knowing that you are in 3rd gear instead of 1st gear coming to a stop would be very helpful for newbies.

I can see how that can make a more inexperienced rider more comfortable though in that particular instance you can just click until you hit first

[cbinker]

Originally Posted by Sirref

I can see how that can make a more inexperienced rider more comfortable though in that particular instance you can just click until you hit first

Have you tried shifting from 4th to 1st already stopped? I will admit that even after 9 years coming to a quick stop shifting is not much of a concern vs the coming to a stop, and i forgot what gear I was in when stopped.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by cbinker

Have you tried shifting from 4th to 1st already stopped? I will admit that even after 9 years coming to a quick stop shifting is not much of a concern vs the coming to a stop, and i forgot what gear I was in when stopped.

not from 4th but from 3rd. kid cut me off panic stop, wasn't flying so I was able to do it properly for the most part. At a stop I clicked it up into 2nd then it wouldn't go into first. I believe that simply rolling the bike forward a bit would allow the transmission the ability to switch multiple gears but you can start in 2nd without much issue so I just did that.

[ForceofWill]

Ya if you're already stopped just roll forward a bit. Works for me.

[cbinker]

rocking it back and forth is the best way to go from 2-n-1.

[RedPepper64]

I never thought much about a gear indicator until I took the bike out to the track and was doing multi-gear shifts at once. Taking out the 636 with a gear indicator is bliss and takes that little bit of less mental concentration on mechanicals to focus on BP.

I would highly recommend one if she struggles with tracking gears. I'm considering putting one on my 250 as I like the double check when down shifting rapidly at sudden stops on the street. Is it a little bit lazy? Yes. Does that matter if it makes for safer and smoother riding? No.

[Ducati999]

Thanks so much to everyone who has responded so far. I agree that the wifes brain needs some retraining since she has started riding again. She is a very safe rider and has years of experience but the ninja is new to her and so is riding on the highways here. She does get overwhelmed some times and will not up shift to 6th or she will down shift from 2nd to first thinking she was in 3rd. We mostly ride (paved) farm roads out in the wooded areas around our town/area but some times we do use the highway or will get into some traffic on a larger split lane road and that is when she will benefit from the indicator.

Thanks for the great responses so far and anyone with any relevant information feel free to chime in and leave your thoughts and opinions

[Alchemist]

Originally Posted by cbinker

for a new rider it can be very useful for when coming to a stop. new riders tend to forget things and knowing that you are in 3rd gear instead of 1st gear coming to a stop would be very helpful for newbies.

Originally Posted by Sirref

I can see how that can make a more inexperienced rider more comfortable though in that particular instance you can just click until you hit first

This is why I'd want one, and how I get around it... Additionally, I like to be able to know as much as possible about the performance of the equipment between my legs. I don't currently have one, but it would be a welcome addition to the bike.

[rasta]

I'll be honest, I lose track all the time. Not from lack of focus. Sometimes there's so much shifting that I simply lose track. I'd install one of those indicators if it didn't seem like such a pain in the ass

[cbinker]

In all honesty, a gear indicator would more then like be beneficial then a hinderance to newbies. Someone mentioned it being another distraction, I disagree, it would be something that can free the mind from having to concentrate on what gear they are in. I liked my ZX14 for that reason, did not have to think about gears, when I was ready to slow/stop i just looked at the indicator.

[rasta]

A distraction? Just like how people stare at their dashboard when learning to drive a car?

[ez12a]

^same i dont bother counting. I sometimes can tell i'm in 6th just by speed and how loud the engine is. Even if i try to shift up again it's not a big deal, rev match and let the clutch out again.

slowing down to lane split I just downshift continuously, if i loose track i just tap it real quick into 1st and up into 2nd again.

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by cbinker

In all honesty, a gear indicator would more then like be beneficial then a hinderance to newbies. Someone mentioned it being another distraction, I disagree, it would be something that can free the mind from having to concentrate on what gear they are in. I liked my ZX14 for that reason, did not have to think about gears, when I was ready to slow/stop i just looked at the indicator.

This is exactly why I want to get one for her. I found some on Ebay for $20 shipped and the order has been placed. IDK if I will use the magnets or will make up some switches to keep it more accurate. I read the posts saying that many people had issues adjusting them to work properly and also registering false shifts. I will post some info once I get it installed. From the write ups I have read this does not appear to be a very complicated install and other than having to remove most of the fairings it shouldn't take more than an hour or two.

Thanks for all the responses. I will let you know how it comes out after I get it installed. My wise is glad I bought it for her since she wanted the 300 which comes with one from the factory.

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by Ducati999

This is exactly why I want to get one for her. I found some on Ebay for $20 shipped and the order has been placed. IDK if I will use the magnets or will make up some switches to keep it more accurate. I read the posts saying that many people had issues adjusting them to work properly and also registering false shifts. I will post some info once I get it installed. From the write ups I have read this does not appear to be a very complicated install and other than having to remove most of the fairings it shouldn't take more than an hour or two.

Thanks for all the responses. I will let you know how it comes out after I get it installed. My wise is glad I bought it for her since she wanted the 300 which comes with one from the factory.

The 300 does not come with a gear indicator.

[Ducati999]

I stand corrected my wifes friend has a 300 and she has a gear indicator. I thought it came from the factory but it is aftermarket it just uses the factory wiring to plug in so you don't have to cut any wires during hook up. I retract my statement!

[Brian]

Originally Posted by rasta

I'd install one of those indicators if it didn't seem like such a pain in the ass

Seriously......

Is there anywhere I can pay to get this done?

[Aufitt]

You are either in the right gear or the wrong gear,

No gear position indicator will help that situation.

[mania]

I never use one myself as RPM/feel is my indicator

But at very low 180 degree uphill turns a few times I have been curious
if I was pulling 1st or 2nd out of the turn. Just for that it might be interesting to me.

But I have tried one ninja that had it installed. I guess the magnet pickup type.
But I noticed it has quite a bit of lag time before showing actual gear.
Is that common on that magnet pickup type of indicator?

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by Brian

Seriously......

Is there anywhere I can pay to get this done?

Brian. I have purchased a gear indicator and it will be here soon. Since you are located in Boston (when and if) the weather gets nice ride down to my house and we can tackle both at the same time. I have a garage, 3 rear stands and all the tools you could ever need. Buy the GI and contact me and we can make this happen! (203)410-1567 it should be worth an hour and a half ride down to get this done. Totally your call and I will let you look at my Ducati also

[ally99]

I used to have the same desires for a gear indicator like your wife. Then I started using it as a memory game and would count the gears in my head. I still do it to this day, although I care a lot less about what gear I'm in now than when I was a noob.

If she forgets, just tell her to snick it all the way up at any speed til she's in 6th and then downshift to where she wants to be.

[alex.s]

i don't think i ever keep track of what gear i'm in anymore. even on track, when talking about gears in the pits, only remember where i shift. i have to figure out what gears those would be based on the up and downs. for me, there's no point to knowing what gear you are in.

i just keep the engine engaged. if i need to downshift, i downshift. need to upshift, i upshift. when i am approaching a stop i leave the engine engaged because it keeps everything nice and in control and if someone decides to do something stupid i have gas or brakes available. i downshift while i brake and reengage after every gear.

[Yakaru]

If I recall correctly Momaru tested one of these a while back and found it wasn't always right (it would occasionally miss a shift or maybe double count? I don't know for sure). This seems more dangerous than not knowing -- bad information could lead to a mistake so I'd avoid one just for that reason.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by cbinker

Have you tried shifting from 4th to 1st already stopped? I will admit that even after 9 years coming to a quick stop shifting is not much of a concern vs the coming to a stop, and i forgot what gear I was in when stopped.

Originally Posted by Sirref

not from 4th but from 3rd. kid cut me off panic stop, wasn't flying so I was able to do it properly for the most part. At a stop I clicked it up into 2nd then it wouldn't go into first. I believe that simply rolling the bike forward a bit would allow the transmission the ability to switch multiple gears but you can start in 2nd without much issue so I just did that.

Flick down until the neutral light comes on, clutch out & back in, it should click into 1st without any problem

[alex.s]

the engine has a clutch between it and the input shaft of the transmission.

in neutral, the transmission output shaft is not linked with any gear.

there are 3 "teeth" and 3 "holes" in the two gears that slide into each other for each gear. if those 3 teeth (they are called dogs) aren't lined up with those 3 holes (called troughs or trenches), then it "wont go in". so you have to either rotate the output shaft (move the bike a few inches) or rotate the input shaft by letting the clutch out just a little bit.

since there is always a bit of friction between everything, you can ignore all of this and blip on every shift and it works great just like a 12sp tractor

[dcj13]

My '94 K75 has the factory gear indicator (for a 5 speed, no less). It works great, but it's kind of unnecessary, in my opinion.

I'd be fine with a speedo, no tach, and an overtemp idiot light instead of a temperature guage. I prefer to ride (and drive the car) while looking at what's going on around me rather than what the bike internals are doing.

I have kind of gotten used to the Ninjette neutral finder, though.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by Ducati999

Brian. I have purchased a gear indicator and it will be here soon. Since you are located in Boston (when and if) the weather gets nice ride down to my house and we can tackle both at the same time. I have a garage, 3 rear stands and all the tools you could ever need. Buy the GI and contact me and we can make this happen! (203)410-1567 it should be worth an hour and a half ride down to get this done. Totally your call and I will let you look at my Ducati also

That sounds like a tempting offer but keep in mind I don't know how to ride yet. I have my weekend class at the end March and I need to get the bike up and running (battery is dead, maybe other problems). I'm also broke to buy anything right now lol. Definitely thinking about it for the summer though if I'm still having trouble with watching my gears.

Is this the price one would be?: http://www.solomotoparts.com/Gear-In...FUYV7AodVlgA-Q

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by Brian

That sounds like a tempting offer but keep in mind I don't know how to ride yet. I have my weekend class at the end March and I need to get the bike up and running (battery is dead, maybe other problems). I'm also broke to buy anything right now lol. Definitely thinking about it for the summer though if I'm still having trouble with watching my gears.

Is this the price one would be?: http://www.solomotoparts.com/Gear-In...FUYV7AodVlgA-Q

Brian the GI you showed in your post is not for your bike. The 250 Ninja is not fuel injected so a plug and play model will not work/not available. The only option for the 250 is the universal model which takes its shift signal from the movement of the shift lever not from the electronics on the bike. This is what causes the occasional missed/wrong shift issue. Some people have had better luck with them than others and setting the sensors right seems to be critical. The GI that I bought was on E-bay for $20 shipping included from in the USA. I would recommend this one if you are going to experiment but that is your choice. No problem if it dosent work its really cheap.

Don't worry about no being experienced in riding. Take your time get your bike running, take the MSF course and practice. When you are ready call me and we can get that installed then if you still want one. I wont stop riding anytime soon and I love to work on bikes.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by Ducati999

Brian the GI you showed in your post is not for your bike. The 250 Ninja is not fuel injected so a plug and play model will not work/not available. The only option for the 250 is the universal model which takes its shift signal from the movement of the shift lever not from the electronics on the bike. This is what causes the occasional missed/wrong shift issue. Some people have had better luck with them than others and setting the sensors right seems to be critical. The GI that I bought was on E-bay for $20 shipping included from in the USA. I would recommend this one if you are going to experiment but that is your choice. No problem if it dosent work its really cheap.

Don't worry about no being experienced in riding. Take your time get your bike running, take the MSF course and practice. When you are ready call me and we can get that installed then if you still want one. I wont stop riding anytime soon and I love to work on bikes.

Ok, so it pretty much senses and counts your foot for you, seems simple enough. We'll definitely get in touch if I end up wanting one really bad and I would love to see the Ducati. Thanks dude!