I installed the Acumen DG8 gear indicator on my gen 6 a few weeks ago. I bought it from http://www.riderstation.com. I�ve posted the photos I took during the install for others that are interested. It only took about 2 hours even working at a snail�s pace.
You should know how these work before you buy one because they are not as accurate as those that are OEM on other bikes. The DG8 is programmed by running your bike through the gears so it can determine the rpm/speed combinations for each gear. It determines what gear you are in by comparing the rpm and current speed with the calculations made during programming. Consequently, there is a delay from the time you make a shift until the display is updated, I�ve observed lags of ~.5 sec to about 1.5 seconds. Because it needs both the speed and the current rpms the clutch has to be engaged.
On the open road the indicator is accurate all the time, there is just a short delay after shifting for it to sync up. I�m really liking it on the commute as I go from rush hour traffic to 60mph limit to 70mph limit. I haven�t tried to shift into 7th gear since I installed it. And in rush hour traffic where I�m more focused on who�s trying to kill me, a quick glance and I can see what gear I�m in.
But, when downshifting and coming to a stop it�s mostly inaccurate. Because when the clutch is disengaged the rpm for that speed won�t match the gear you�re in. For example, pulling in the clutch at 40mph and coasting to a stop while downshifting might show that you�re in 5th gear because at that speed with those rpms it matches the 5th gear programming, even though you�ve downshifted to 1st. Consequently, you can�t use this to determine if you�re in 1st or 2nd after you�ve come to a stop. Only when you�re moving.
The device came with no installation instructions. Unlike earlier models that required you to find the proper wires and splice into them, this came with a cable that connects directly to the instrument cluster. No splicing, no searching for colored wires. But they don�t give you any step by step instructions. I have a service manual so I used it to get the plastic off, here are the steps:
1) Remove the small plastic panels on each side of the instrument panel. 2 hex screws and 1 trim clip on each side. Be careful there is a boss/grommet that it has to pull out of.
2) Remove the plastic retaining pieces on the bottom rear of the screen, behind the mirror mounts. There is 1 screw holding each of them.
3) Remove the screen mounting screw from each side and remove the screen
4) Remove the instrument panel cover, there are 2 boss/grommets at the bottom of the cover below the instruments. Pull gently as they are simply plastic, work them out carefully by hand.
5) Install the cable on the center console.
6) Find a mounting location and route the wires. A little electrical tape, or a lot, and you�re done.
I installed mine on the left side of the instrument panel, because that seemed like a good place to put it. Unfortunately, I didn�t find out until after everything was back together that the clutch lever hits the DG8 when the bars are pushed hard right. Sigh. I really like it there because it�s easy to see without being obtrusive. I've only knocked it loose once when manuvering in a parking lot.
I got the red indicator because it matches the tach at night, and red doesn�t distract at night. The dimmer on the indicator works great and it�s not too bright at night. Very visible during they day.
Photos of the install:
http://www.vfrdiscus...p...&album=3473
An old thread on the topic:
http://www.vfrdiscus...=gear indicator
You should know how these work before you buy one because they are not as accurate as those that are OEM on other bikes. The DG8 is programmed by running your bike through the gears so it can determine the rpm/speed combinations for each gear. It determines what gear you are in by comparing the rpm and current speed with the calculations made during programming. Consequently, there is a delay from the time you make a shift until the display is updated, I�ve observed lags of ~.5 sec to about 1.5 seconds. Because it needs both the speed and the current rpms the clutch has to be engaged.
On the open road the indicator is accurate all the time, there is just a short delay after shifting for it to sync up. I�m really liking it on the commute as I go from rush hour traffic to 60mph limit to 70mph limit. I haven�t tried to shift into 7th gear since I installed it. And in rush hour traffic where I�m more focused on who�s trying to kill me, a quick glance and I can see what gear I�m in.
But, when downshifting and coming to a stop it�s mostly inaccurate. Because when the clutch is disengaged the rpm for that speed won�t match the gear you�re in. For example, pulling in the clutch at 40mph and coasting to a stop while downshifting might show that you�re in 5th gear because at that speed with those rpms it matches the 5th gear programming, even though you�ve downshifted to 1st. Consequently, you can�t use this to determine if you�re in 1st or 2nd after you�ve come to a stop. Only when you�re moving.
The device came with no installation instructions. Unlike earlier models that required you to find the proper wires and splice into them, this came with a cable that connects directly to the instrument cluster. No splicing, no searching for colored wires. But they don�t give you any step by step instructions. I have a service manual so I used it to get the plastic off, here are the steps:
1) Remove the small plastic panels on each side of the instrument panel. 2 hex screws and 1 trim clip on each side. Be careful there is a boss/grommet that it has to pull out of.
2) Remove the plastic retaining pieces on the bottom rear of the screen, behind the mirror mounts. There is 1 screw holding each of them.
3) Remove the screen mounting screw from each side and remove the screen
4) Remove the instrument panel cover, there are 2 boss/grommets at the bottom of the cover below the instruments. Pull gently as they are simply plastic, work them out carefully by hand.
5) Install the cable on the center console.
6) Find a mounting location and route the wires. A little electrical tape, or a lot, and you�re done.
I installed mine on the left side of the instrument panel, because that seemed like a good place to put it. Unfortunately, I didn�t find out until after everything was back together that the clutch lever hits the DG8 when the bars are pushed hard right. Sigh. I really like it there because it�s easy to see without being obtrusive. I've only knocked it loose once when manuvering in a parking lot.
I got the red indicator because it matches the tach at night, and red doesn�t distract at night. The dimmer on the indicator works great and it�s not too bright at night. Very visible during they day.
Photos of the install:
http://www.vfrdiscus...p...&album=3473
An old thread on the topic:
http://www.vfrdiscus...=gear indicator