Gear Shift Assist Pro

[Arsey]

I rode a Rallye recently with GSAP and it was very agricultural compared to the quick shifter on my 1290R

 

[MIKE R]

OK. I know i am potentially gong to open a can of worms here, but GSAP, I just don't get it. I ve got 2017 R1200 GS TE bought from new in July, supposedly with GSAP specced, but every time I try to use it is seems very harsh and clunky, and feels like you are having to force the lever to select the next gear, not very smooth at all, and can certainly do smoother gear changes with the clutch, but not quicker

I did read / see on some reviews that on new bikes the operation gets smoother with miles. But i'm up to 4,000 miles now, and only seems marginally better on the upshifts, but not at all on the downshifts. Definately doesn't auto blip on the down shift with throttle closed, at least not that I can perceive.

I am starting to wonder, a) Is it working properly, b) was it set up properly on pdi by the supplying dealer? Does it need some sort of enabling at dealer pdi, or is it factory set? c) Is it me, i'm not using it properly, or not used to it, or d) are my expectations of a smooth shift just to high?

My thoughts exactly.

Keep trying to use it but not got it right yet.

Almost 40 years of motorcycling experience using the clutch working against me....it feels unnatural!!!

I do like the hill assist though and am beginning to appreciate the keyless start although I really didn't want it

Mike

 

[CPJS]

My thoughts exactly.

Keep trying to use it but not got it right yet.

Almost 40 years of motorcycling experience using the clutch working against me....it feels unnatural!!!

I do like the hill assist though and am beginning to appreciate the keyless start although I really didn't want it

Mike

Pretty much the same for me. Mine works above 6500rpm (sort of) on upshift and 4500 on downshift, but as the bike is making over 85ftlb at the back wheel by 5500rpm I don't need to rev above that unless I need to hang on to a gear for an overtake. Most of my riding is done on B roads (D roads in France) and seldom above 90 mph so it makes the GSAP redundant.
I regularly ride with all sorts of other bikes and the GS is no slower (pesky 1290s excepted) than any of them without having to dance up and down the gearbox.
I think that the GSAP makes some people ride in a different way than they did before just so they can use it rather than it making their existing style easier, which often GSAP does not.
Hillstart I like, Keyless...Indifferent, I do a lot of two up touring with luggage ( this year will be 11,000mls), the keys are in use all the time.

 

[Gyp]

OK. I know i am potentially gong to open a can of worms here, but GSAP, I just don't get it. I ve got 2017 R1200 GS TE bought from new in July, supposedly with GSAP specced, but every time I try to use it is seems very harsh and clunky, and feels like you are having to force the lever to select the next gear, not very smooth at all, and can certainly do smoother gear changes with the clutch, but not quicker

I did read / see on some reviews that on new bikes the operation gets smoother with miles. But i'm up to 4,000 miles now, and only seems marginally better on the upshifts, but not at all on the downshifts. Definately doesn't auto blip on the down shift with throttle closed, at least not that I can perceive.

That's exactly how mine was when I picked up my R1200R.

The dealer explained that I just needed to get used to it.

I explained that it wasn't working, end of.

They inspected it, agreed with me and replaced it.

Since then it's been pretty faultless. As others have said, it works best going up when pinned and only going down on a shut throttle (and ideally on the brakes as well).

The only problem I've had since getting the warranty replacement is occasionally it'll cut for too long on an upshift, which can be quite disturbing mid full-throttle overtake

 

[Itsratman]

Hi all I'm new to the site and to the Gs so I apologise in advance if I've missed the info whilst searching.
I picked up a 2017 r1200gs 3 weeks back, on the way back I used the gear assist and found it awkward but got better the further I got. For the 1st time in my life I thought I'd check the manual, instructions & forums for advice. Everyone seems to say the same thing hold or increase the throttle on upshifts & close the throttle on downshifts.
Reading the manual it says it permits upshifts and downshifts without declutching or closing the throttle in virtually all load and rpm ranges.
Am I reading it wrong when everyone online is saying close the throttle when downshifting.

On my triumphs & hondas I never had a quick shifter & don't want to damage the engine.
Many Thanks

 

[Skid06]

they are a bit lumpy unless gunning it..you can reset it if you have a GS911 tool and does seem a bit smoother ...otherwise id just use it in anger when on the gas

 

[Mr Bean]

Positive throttle on the up-shifts

Closed throttle on the down-shifts.

It's that simple.

 

[malcopopolo]

i use it above 4k revs for 3rd , 4th etc

closed throttle from top to 2nd but always clutch to 1st.

It is clunky but it works. its a big twin and not as smooth as triple or inline 4

 

[Itsratman]

Thanks everyone that's why I don't normally read instructions as the books seems to contradict what everyone is saying.
Can't wait to get out again, bought the bike and managed 5hrs before the lockdown

 

[GrinningGSer]

2014 GSA and GSAP is fab going down but clunky going up
If of any use and may be nonesense, I copied the following reset procedure from somewhere on UKGSer:
•Step 1: Hold the throttle to the 100% wide open position and do not let go.
•Step 2: With the throttle still held fully open, turn on the ignition (but don’t start the engine) and allow for all checks to complete.
•Step 3: Turn off the ignition.
•Step 4: Close the throttle.
•Step 5: With the throttle fully closed, turn on the ignition (but don’t start the engine) and allow for all checks to complete.
•Step 6: Turn off the ignition.
•Step 7: Without touching the throttle start the engine and allow it to idle for a minimum of 3 minutes.

And/or

1. Reset the quick shifter adaptations via ISTA (not the manual way by disconnecting the battery)
2. Pull clutch in and engage first gear
3. Ride in each gear for 10 seconds then change to the next gear using the clutch.
4. Once you have gone all the way to 6th gear using the clutch the quick shifter should have learnt the gears. Test it out.

That may waste a lot of your time
Best of luck

 

[Rockred]

As some of the above posts really. I only use it when changing up from 3rd and upwards, and only above 4000 revs plus. When I use it changing down which is not often, I find it smoother to fully close the throttle and then very slightly ( gnats cock ) open it a touch. I never use it in gears below 3rd as it’s to clunky for my liking.

The bike is a 15 GS, and the GSAP was fitted retrospectively.

 

[stick]

Can’t see this clunky ness , mine is so smooth .
In both fast up changes and slow , down changes the same .

 

[Delboy777]

Can’t see this clunky ness , mine is so smooth .
In both fast up changes and slow , down changes the same .

Mine too, but you would expect that with a 1250 Wouldnt you

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

Nice and slick up or down on my 1250 (RT) tend only use from 3 upwards, use all the gears on downwards shifts,

 

[G&T]

I think it was MC Rider on YouTube who said to put a bit of pressure on the gear pedal before upshifting and it will make it a smoother shift.

 

[Rockred]

Can’t see this clunky ness , mine is so smooth .
In both fast up changes and slow , down changes the same .

It’s only ever really smooth up shifting when the engine is cold, and using 10w40 helped with that, as it’s never cold down here, so not a problem. As soon as it gets up to normal temps it is ok in the upper gear going up, changing down is definitely not smooth, as the engine revs don’t change, hence me having to open the throttle a tad.

The dealer I bought the bike from new retrofitted the GSAP after about 18 months, it was ok for about a year, but only ok. About 8 months later it went in for a normal service, but when I picked the bike up and rode home the GSAP would not work changing up.

Long story short, it took weeks to get it booked in again, they said it needed a new module 500 Euros, had it fitted and it has been like this since, but from day one when first fitted it was like that. The dealer has now closed down just after the module was fitted.

I never even got offered a cup of coffee in all the time I spent there. I now do all my own services, and will not spend another penny with a BMW dealer ever again, unless there is absolutely no other option.

 

[stick]

It’s only ever really smooth up shifting when the engine is cold, and using 10w40 helped with that, as it’s never cold down here, so not a problem. As soon as it gets up to normal temps it is ok in the upper gear going up, changing down is definitely not smooth, as the engine revs don’t change, hence me having to open the throttle a tad.

The dealer I bought the bike from new retrofitted the GSAP after about 18 months, it was ok for about a year, but only ok. About 8 months later it went in for a normal service, but when I picked the bike up and rode home the GSAP would not work changing up.

Long story short, it took weeks to get it booked in again, they said it needed a new module 500 Euros, had it fitted and it has been like this since, but from day one when first fitted it was like that. The dealer has now closed down just after the module was fitted.

I never even got offered a cup of coffee in all the time I spent there. I now do all my own services, and will not spend another penny with a BMW dealer ever again, unless there is absolutely no other option.

Just a point, on down changes you don't open the throttle , you should be off throttle. I ride my bike all year and in hot climates and to be honest I have never had the issues you post , in Spain for example its been perfect as in the uk even with the high temps and high use .
I think maybe i'm lucky , I did sort of run the bike in from new , but not to manual as they say , first 100 miles stuck to 5k after that 6k and 7 to 8 K max to the 600 miles and I wasn't cautious or kind to the point of kid gloves as it was new, whether this made a different to the engine / box im not sure , but as I posted sooth as slik , well used and not clunky .
The bike is serviced , updated by BMW and there coffee is great lol....

 

[vRSG60]

I've changed bikes since my last post on this subject and GSAP on my new bike (2018 GAS) works great, just as I hoped it should. Not good at all on my previous bike.

 

[Rockred]

I tried doing it by the book i.e. with the throttle fully closed on down changes, but it has never automatically blipped the revs up as it should have done, and that was really clunky when the gear finally when in, so that why I started to twist the throttle open a gnats from fully closed, and that improved things, but definitely not smooth as others have said.

 

[Gyp]

I tried doing it by the book i.e. with the throttle fully closed on down changes, but it has never automatically blipped the revs up as it should have done, and that was really clunky when the gear finally when in, so that why I started to twist the throttle open a gnats from fully closed, and that improved things, but definitely not smooth as others have said.

That's how mine was when I got it. I told the dealer it wasn't working. They told me I wasn't using it correctly. I firmly but politely made it clear that no, it wasn't working. They replaced it under warranty and it was fine after that.

Once working I found it was best if riding in a spirited rather than a relaxed manner; up-changes were nice on a positive throttle, and down-changes with a shut throttle and ideally a little brake too. The only downside is that it encourages the a more enthusiastic rather than touring riding style and because of the fun and noise, a lot more gear changes than are really necessary on a 1200cc twin.