Gear Position Indicator

I would like to install a gear position indicator on my 2002. Any suggestions on which indicator to get? Good price, easy installation.

Willy

I have a Veypor VR2 that I bought from member Hobie here on the forum.

Among many other functions, it will tell you what gear you are in. I never use it (but it's not for sale.) It is basically an on-board dyno. You program it with total weight and tire circumference, among other things and it uses tire revolutions and accelerometers to give you just about any kind of performance figure you want.

As for "What gear am I in?", it is easier just to keep count in your head.

I've got one that I'm less than impressed with, its very hard to set up properly which I am still yet to do, because programming it is a pain, cant recall the name of it right now but can dig it up if you want to know...

The ones that do work which I am waiting on delivery of is by Acumen, called the DG8, search on fleabay for one. They have a plug and play harness for the Vtec. I've bought it from an OzVFR member, I dont need the extra harness for my '99 so that bit will be going on fleabay...

I found the schematics/instructions for one that was developed for an RC51 initially, then adapted to the ST and the VFR. I am thinking of trying it out, looks like a fun build.

http://www.speedzill...es-plans-1.html

I have an Acumen DG8 and quite like not having to look for seventh gear anymore...

Why?

If you don't have the revs/mph/wind speed memorized already, just shift down for more revs, up for less.

Just for the h-ll of it..... for the peps that might be interested............ I have a formula.....At 4 grand..... what ever your speed is, use the 1st # of the speed, and that is what gear you're in........... At 5 grand whatever the speed is subtract 1 off the speed(1st#)...... 6 grand subtract 2 off........This is with the stock gearing(gen 6)

[image: View Post]jeremy556, on Jul 3 2009, 11:47 PM, said:

Why?

If you don't have the revs/mph/wind speed memorized already, just shift down for more revs, up for less.



For me it would be "because I can". I can't even see the tach anymore, due to the GPS/audio stuff blocking the way. I hardly need it, I can feel what the revs are. It would be a good reminded that there isn't a 7th gear of course...

Digi or I have been using/prefer a Sportvue

I solved the 7th gear issue by using the tach readings. But a gear indicator would still be a "nice-to-have" item.

I had it all memorized then got a speed-o-healer... now i must relearn, and it is much more difficult now that i'm oooooooooolder :p

Why?

If you don't have the revs/mph/wind speed memorized already, just shift down for more revs, up for less.

Took the words right out of my mouth. A VFR is an easy bike to tell which gear it's in.

A Gear Position Indicator is handy if you use your VFR on the track. I had a really hard time remembering which gear I should be in for which turns (Cal Speedway has 21 turns!). Being in the right gear could mean the difference between a good lap and a bad one. I have one on my GSX-R but can't remember which brand. It was plug and play which was nice. When I get home I will post the manufacturer.

Roger

Why?

If you don't have the revs/mph/wind speed memorized already, just shift down for more revs, up for less.

Took the words right out of my mouth. A VFR is an easy bike to tell which gear it's in.

The only one that I'm concerned with is slowing down to make a tight corner, wanting to be in 2nd, and finding out I'm already in it, and shifting into 1st when I don't want to. The rest of the time I just keep the rpm's somewhere between 5, & 8K.... But I can keep it out of 1st by checking my rpm's, but for that type of turn, it's usually a "quick" 1,2, downshift with butt heads on my tail(yes I signal way in advance).

SEB.... Looks like my Quotes didn't work this time.......

The downshift to first (when wanting second) in corners is the exact reason I ordered one. (well that and my search for the fabled 7th gear from time to time...... some day i will find this mythical gear:-)

The other reason was because I was ordering a speedo healer and figured this was going to mess up my RPM / speed / gear formula (same one mentioned above)

As soon as I get the speedohealer & gear indicator installed I will let everyone know how it goes. I ordered the GIPro DS gear indicator.

I guess we're all different but I always know what gear I'm in because I can't afford a mistake the way I take corners... :ph34r:

I've tried a few of them and haven't been impressed with any of them. They seem to have too much lag between gear changes and the light change.

On the first Suzuki 4 cylinder 4 stroke bikes (GS550, GS750, GS850, GS1000) they had a digital gear indicator that worked great. It had a brass plug in the end of the gear selector drum. On the outside of the engine casing right in front of the counter shaft sprocket was a contact module with either 5 or 6 connections depending on which model it was. You didn't even have to crank the bike up. You could turn on the switch, and rock the bike back and forth and change the gears. It was all electrical and didn't depend on wheel speed, tachometer speed or any other BS.

I've never figured out why more manufacturers don't put them on bikes.

I'm not so much concerned with accidental 1st gear downshifts, but I'd love it if more bikes came equipped with a high gear indicator like on some of the touring bikes. This keeps you from looking stupid while searching for 7th gear http://www.vfrdiscus...tyle_emoticons/default/smile.gif It's not a big problem, but coming from a 5spd to a 6spd I sometimes double downshift to pass and then only upshift once forgetting that I can shift up again. It's all part of learning the bike really and it's not an issue 99.99% of the time.

George

I've tried a few of them and haven't been impressed with any of them. They seem to have too much lag between gear changes and the light change.

On the first Suzuki 4 cylinder 4 stroke bikes (GS550, GS750, GS850, GS1000) they had a digital gear indicator that worked great. It had a brass plug in the end of the gear selector drum. On the outside of the engine casing right in front of the counter shaft sprocket was a contact module with either 5 or 6 connections depending on which model it was. You didn't even have to crank the bike up. You could turn on the switch, and rock the bike back and forth and change the gears. It was all electrical and didn't depend on wheel speed, tachometer speed or any other BS.

I've never figured out why more manufacturers don't put them on bikes.

They are still on there, but only tell us when the bike is in neutral! :ph34r:

I solved the 7th gear issue by using the tach readings. But a gear indicator would still be a "nice-to-have" item.

Too bad we just didn't have a 7th gear :biggrin: a slab only gear, for those runs to and from the twisties, easy way to up the mileage

I solved the 7th gear issue by using the tach readings. But a gear indicator would still be a "nice-to-have" item.

Too bad we just didn't have a 7th gear :rolleyes: a slab only gear, for those runs to and from the twisties, easy way to up the mileage

I didn't know people used 6th gear..... :ph34r: :laugh: :ph34r:

I agree that I SHOULD know what gear I am in and I too have my little memory devices for remembering BUT when one has more than one bike it can be a bit confusing especially in the heat of the moment. Additionally, my Triumph has a gear indicator and I find that I do like it. So, I'd like one for the viffer too. As well, I like adding something that lights up the cluster a bit more!

Is it essential? No. But lots of things aren't essential (and we still get 'em!)

Healtech (Speedohealer) makes one. Their website says that since it gets info directly from ECU that it's faster than others.
www.healtech-electronics.com

Healtech (Speedohealer) makes one. Their website says that since it gets info directly from ECU that it's faster than others.
www.healtech-electronics.com

I have the Healtech GIpro and love it. Very easy to install and configure and no lag at all. Pricy, but worth it if your always looking for that missing 7th gear like I was :fing02: It's a much samller form factor and it has the wire coming out of the bottom of the unit vs the back. Makes for MUCH eaiser mounting. It's also 100% waterproof. I rode 300 miles with heavy rain for the whole trip. No problems at all.

They don't list on for the 02, maybe drop them a line and see if they support it.

Healtech (Speedohealer) makes one. Their website says that since it gets info directly from ECU that it's faster than others.
www.healtech-electronics.com

I have the Healtech GIpro and love it. Very easy to install and configure and no lag at all. Pricy, but worth it if your always looking for that missing 7th gear like I was :happy: It's a much samller form factor and it has the wire coming out of the bottom of the unit vs the back. Makes for MUCH eaiser mounting. It's also 100% waterproof. I rode 300 miles with heavy rain for the whole trip. No problems at all.

They don't list on for the 02, maybe drop them a line and see if they support it.

Has anyone installed the GIpro on a 5th GEN bike? Please chime in.

I never really know what gear I'm in on the VFR.... I've bought from HealTech before- a decent product! I had a gear indicator & Automatic Timing Retard Eliminator on my Suzuki M50 - gave it more torquey-ness :wheel: (if that's a word). I have the same gear indicator, and i'm going to install it soon on my VFR.

I found the schematics/instructions for one that was developed for an RC51 initially, then adapted to the ST and the VFR. I am thinking of trying it out, looks like a fun build.

http://www.speedzilla.com/forums/rc51-general-discussion/43866-my-home-built-rc51-gear-position-indicator-includes-plans-1.html

The designer - P.D. Fruth - is a legend. He's the guy who designed the exhaust servo eliminator circuit for the CBR1000RR that I purchased from him earlier this year. His work is sublime!

I currently have the Acumen GPI installed. It's great and sunlight readable but it is quite laggy - takes a while for it to display the gear. Anyone have the luxury of a direct comparison between the Acumen GPI and the new GIPRO DS version GPI? Is the new GIPRO DS really that much faster?

i have the GIPRO from healtech as well. It has very LITTLE if any lag and works great..And you can have it inline with the Speedo Healer.

+1 on the GI Pro Healtech - I had it installed by my mechanic. There is a slight lag... it's noticeable to me, but I really like having it.

A distant shot: http://www.vfrdiscus...55676-p1110160/

+1 on the why? Enjoy the view above the windscreen and listen to the sound of that beautiful engine....

So, really I am no help here....

I found the schematics/instructions for one that was developed for an RC51 initially, then adapted to the ST and the VFR. I am thinking of trying it out, looks like a fun build.

http://www.speedzill...es-plans-1.html

Since you're good with electronics, you ought to build 'em and sell 'em here.

On another note, do you still have 6th gen. HID kits available?

i use the acumen with a volt meter built in and its great i know what gear im in and know what the battery system is doing also.ebay

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