Featured Revisiting The Quickshifter After Nearly Two Years, Here’s What Happened

The QS was fitted at my request on my bike, which was a second hand purchase from a Triumph dealer. It was their ex demo bike. It has worked perfectly at all times. So there may be some truth in this......Glad your QS is now working Steve.

 

The same thing happens to me--and I mean ME, not my bike.

 

Mine started to work flawlessly when they flashed the new firmware. Since then, gears transitions feels way smoother than the previous version and I haven't had any problem since then.

 

I recall previously placing a lengthy post here on the subject of quick shifters, my intention was to be helpful and trust this post is taken as such. Firstly I would make the comment that if a machine is not run in to the factory recommendations then difficulties can arise with both engine and gearbox, when running in, microscopic metal particles are removed from all components as things begin to loosen up, the 500 mile service is essential as the oil drained contains those particles, a new oil filter and oil and the second phase takes place, around 750 to 1000 miles the engine and gearbox have loosened up enough to allow for full performance, when the engine and gearbox are still tight it will affect the quickshifter, to explain it a little more, the basic premise of the quick shifter is to cut the ignition timing for the very short space of time it’s going to take to snick the gear lever up a smidge, thereby reducing the titanic force acting on the drive-chain.
This micro-millisecond reduction in ignition allows the gears to slot into position smoothly and, because you haven’t closed the throttle remember, the drivetrain can give you the next level of acceleration without any energy loss, how does the quick shifter know when to cut ignition timing (when the lever is under pressure), the quick shifter has a mechanical sensor in it, connected to the bike’s ECU. The sensors are positional which in turn informs the ECU that the lever position is changing (and could it please cut the ignition) it is based on the pressure variance detected pre-shift when the rider’s toe slides under the lever in anticipation of going for the next gear. After careful running in my STRS quickshifter/autoblipper worked perfect. I often ride my sons Panigale 1299s and the quickshifter/autoblipper is as smooth a a knife through butter, I have been working on it in my garage (a previous post) and work completed it was out having fun, it is running 215 BHP on the Dyno, it is a great fun on the twisties and the quickshifter/autoblipper is very addictive, the level of sophisticated electronics help keep things under relative control on the roads. If you want perfection install the latest HM quickshifter/autoblipper, having ridden an MT10SP with one fitted it performed at another level, it even has an auto warm up on, although the pro model is probably more than you need for the road. Ride safe all.

 

Hi SteveRS I'm pleased yours is working as it should, it would be interesting to find out who manufactured the gear sets and likewise the quickshifters for Triumph, and did they switch manufacturers during the production run due to issues in either the supply or production issues, as it appears not all suffered problems.

 

First of all nice to read your bikes seems sorted now. I have been reading these threads / your posts since let’s say October 2020. After the break in period (1500 KM) of my new RS I had the same issues with the TSA/QS. Many false neutrals. Three dreadful ones, those which banged hard in the next gear after a false neutral (an unexpected on-off-on scenario with full throttle). Went to the dealer twice for readjustment and will probably contact the dealer soon again because it is “much” better but not gone yet. Very annoying… For a while I even suspected the contact point of the sensor under clutch lever leading to an error, sometimes I felt a funny snap or click when I start pulling the clutch during regular shifting.

I recognize the same patrons. My RS did roughly 7200 KM and I can tell it’s getting better and smoother, even from 1st till 2nd etc. like butter at lower rpms. Except from 4th to 5th specially at +8k rpms I get a false neutral sometimes. I still haven’t got my confidence back to use the TSA/QS at full throttle. I am trying to make up my mind, after 7200 km shitty kilometres including stress and many hours reading all kind of forums.

(Off topic:

Option 1: Have the gearbox fully checked and keep the bike. (Still the best looking bike compared to the options below IMHO.)
Option 2: Demand a 1200 RS and pay the difference MSRP. (Less comfort but "perhaps" a wonderful QS)
Option 3: New chapter and get the brand new Tuono V4 (more relaxed GT version) or the new S1000r both available soon.)

Anyway thanks for your posts SteveRS and others, was really confirming and needed that. Ride safe all!


By the way my bike had 3 times new oil. No metal parts according to the dealer and Triumph never heard of this issue before although they mentioned (in writing!!!) the gears are probably damaged after de false neutrals I described.

 

The shift sensor looks like the Translogic one.

 

Confirms it.

 

It’s probably the gearbox and not the QS.

 

I have mentioned in a previous post an alternative to the Triumph quickshifter/blipper unit, this being the HM product. I have ridden and owned many different make and models with quickshifters, personally I have never encountered issues with any of them. I tried to upload a video of a recent ride out on a Panigale 1299s, Yamaha MT10SP with the HM Unit fitted, and my own STRS. The Panigale is running 215 BHP, and has a full Akro system plus other mods, it has some of the finest electronics available, it's super fun on the twisties, most roads near to me are dry stone walled, tree lined and fairly narrow for that extra bit of ride excitement. The video shows the quickshifters/Blippers in action, however it failed the upload due to the size of the file, even when edited to shorten the ride time. Below is a snippet of the HM Unit, this was taken from the website of UK Race Support, they have been most helpful to me in the past.

With HM Quickshifter’s legendary quality, reliability and performance we present to you the all new Stand Alone Shifter Blipper.

Available in two versions: LITE and PRO

The LITE version already outperforms any other system on the market. It is a simple plug and play system that is fully adjustable.

The PRO version is taking shifting / back shifting to the ultimate level. It is the only system on the market that communicates with your ECU to get many vital parameters allowing the shifter blipper to give perfect shifts whatever the load, RPM, Gear or throttle position. It is also completely plug and play in a small, waterproof and compact unit.

The PRO version also adds intelligent auto warmup and a Pit Lane limiter. Launch control and Anti wheelie and Engine Brake Control are soon to follow via a software update.

Product Description
HM Quickshifter Stand Alone Shift / Blip System

• Add Shift / Backshift functionality to any bike (any bike with ride by wire – irrespective if it already has a shifter and/or blipper system)
• Simple plug and play system
• Instant self-learning algorithms makes the system super easy to use
• Highly customisable and programmable – defaults to simple settings but advanced settings can be used, such as RPM and gear by gear programming to get perfect shifts and back shifts in any condition. (PRO Version)
• Worlds first pit lane limiter that uses actual speed as opposed to RPM which requires gear ratio to be set every time sprockets are changed and also requires that the rider stays in second gear. The HM Blip / Shift system is fully automatic – simply set your pit limit speed (if different form the default 60KPH) and ride down pit lane in any gear, and with any gearing.

(not available on all models – If your bike has ABS sensors, then usually this feature can be used) A number of different ‘programs’ are available from constant smooth limiting to ‘hunting’ type pit limit control similar to existing systems and a few fun programs added as well to turn heads!

• Automatic and intelligent auto warmup – simply press the pit lane limit switch whilst powering up to enter auto warm up mode. This mode slowly and carefully warms the bike up to a pre-set temperature (80 degC by default) whilst keeping oil pressure up, and moving coolant. Exit warm mode at any time by applying some throttle or turn off bike. A number of different ‘programs’ are available so that you can choose the perfect warmup program that suits you. All programs react to actual temperature and as such the system is really gentle with a cold bike, and then slowly get more aggressive as the bike reaches temperature to thoroughly and gently warm the bike up ready for use.
• Engine Brake control – This system also features a fully programmable engine brake control system -a.k.a. electronic slipper clutch. It is totally automatic and activates in deceleration only. Want to drop two gears and hit the rear brake hard without worrying about a lockup? No problem! Want to keep the rear wheel turning and decelerating consistently for those perfect ‘backing it in’ moments? No problem! (EBC is not yet released and is soon to follow).
• Can be programmed via a laptop, or optionally via a small colour display that can also be used as an advanced gear and shift light indicator. Ride safe all.

 

I own an S1000RR which has factory-fit QS. I’ve never had a problem but use sparingly. there are isolated reports of false neutrals and slamming for that bike too - it’s not just Triumph!!
When you change gear at full throttle and high revs, you’re leaning on the electronics and only need the occasional Windows equivalent of a “fatal exception” or “blue screen of death” and you just know what is going to happen. . . .