Downshift "Blipper" Function - You want?

I would be down for the street version

I'm interested in the race version! A grand is pricey.

Don't the Moto GP guys still use the clutch? I see them modulating its release on corner entries. Just wondering. When the camera goes to the rear pendgelum camera you can hear them downshifting and it sounds no blipping is done. Never a pro racer here so just wondering what they do? Or even WSBK for that matter?

Cloner said:

I already have this function built into my right wrist. My system works on every bike I ride without additional "per bike" fees or other electronic difficulties.

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I'd have to agree with Cloner....kinda.

Not that I don't see a useful function to it. But after a good 35+ yrs of riding, I don't see myself using it. I don't even use the existing DQS. I used clutchless (up)shifting on my race bikes. But they were 2-strokes and GP pattern. The "blip-while-you-clutch in-brake-n-downshift" is so ingrained in me by now and such an automatic action any clutchless electronics that did it for me would be wasted.

Charliem90 said:

I'd have to agree with Cloner....kinda.

Not that I don't see a useful function to it. But after a good 35+ yrs of riding, I don't see myself using it. I don't even use the existing DQS. I used clutchless (up)shifting on my race bikes. But they were 2-strokes and GP pattern. The "blip-while-you-clutch in-brake-n-downshift" is so ingrained in me by now and such an automatic action any clutchless electronics that did it for me would be wasted.

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Exactly my point, Charlie. Good habits are hard to break. I guess I need a Bonneville.

JeffD said:

I'll draw the line on that one. I think paddle shifters are the worst thing to happen to sports cars in just about ever. Losing the mechanical connection to the drivetrain simply sucks, IMHO. F1 reversed a lot of driver "aids" like launch control and TC several years ago which was immediately successful to the sport with fans and drivers alike, but missed the opportunity to eradicate the scourge of "flappy paddle gearboxes."

If you lived through or even watched videos of the awesome 80's-90's F1 era, where fantastic talents like Prost, Mansell and Senna battled it out with analogue machines, you would wish the same. Shifting yourself was part of the skill set: you missed a shift - you got passed

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...while i understand what you're saying, and can connect with the enjoyment factor of it all...."facts is facts"...newer, while not always, is better....learn how to use the paddles and there is no reason to going back to "row your own boat" (shifting the old fashioned way).....it will be even better on the bike, as movement is reduced to near nothing...."i'm a believer".....we must move forward...technology marches on......."ooooo a red one - i'll take it"

Cloner said:

Exactly my point, Charlie. Good habits are hard to break. I guess I need a Bonneville.

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...hey what the heck, lets get rid of power steering too.....and why bother with hydraulic brakes.....rotors and pads......"who needs them, when you got good ol fashioned shoes and drums" that give that real analog feel of swaying motion side to side while you hold on for dear life......swaying across lanes....

Charliem90 said:

I'd have to agree with Cloner....kinda.

Not that I don't see a useful function to it. But after a good 35+ yrs of riding, I don't see myself using it. I don't even use the existing DQS. I used clutchless (up)shifting on my race bikes. But they were 2-strokes and GP pattern. The "blip-while-you-clutch in-brake-n-downshift" is so ingrained in me by now and such an automatic action any clutchless electronics that did it for me would be wasted.

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"those that resist change....are doomed to repeat it"....(isn't that how it goes)

I see the value in these new technologies, but the best implementations (at least in the car world) have it so that the driver/rider can choose to have them on or off.

Personally, on a track day where I'm chasing lap times and want to increase safety by eliminating the occasional human mistake of not getting a rev-matched downshift correct and resulting rear slide, I would want the clutchless rev-matched down shift feature. It leaves more bandwidth for focusing on at-limit trail braking and other critical tasks, and ostensibly allows you to brake even later.

These same advantages on the track do add even more safety on the street. But when I'm feeling old-school and want to exercise my hard-won skills from years of practice, I definitely want to be able to turn it off.

AND, it should be banned from racing to emphasize the individual skill and increase the spectacle!!!!

Cloner said:

Exactly my point, Charlie. Good habits are hard to break. I guess I need a Bonneville.

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They'll probably put a quick-shifter on the Bonneville for 2015, just watch! Ha ha!

JeffD said:

I see the value in these new technologies, but the best implementations (at least in the car world) have it so that the driver/rider can choose to have them on or off.

Personally, on a track day where I'm chasing lap times and want to increase safety by eliminating the occasional human mistake of not getting a rev-matched downshift correct and resulting rear slide, I would want the clutchless rev-matched down shift feature. It leaves more bandwidth for focusing on at-limit trail braking and other critical tasks, and ostensibly allows you to brake even later.

These same advantages on the track do add even more safety on the street. But when I'm feeling old-school and want to exercise my hard-won skills from years of practice, I definitely want to be able to turn it off.

AND, it should be banned from racing to emphasize the individual skill and increase the spectacle!!!!

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-- ok....an on/off switch.....i can agree with that

Sergio1199Panigale said:

I'm interested in the race version! A grand is pricey.

Don't the Moto GP guys still use the clutch? I see them modulating its release on corner entries. Just wondering. When the camera goes to the rear pendgelum camera you can hear them downshifting and it sounds no blipping is done. Never a pro racer here so just wondering what they do? Or even WSBK for that matter?

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Some riders use the clutch if they prefer to in certain situations, but most of those bikes have very sophisticated engine braking and clutchless downshifting systems on them, there's no need for a clutch. The downshifts on the Hondas with the seamless gearbox are so fast you can barely even hear it. Most of the top WSBK machines also have clutchless downshifting, and I think this was the first year that the Ducati finally got it too.

I agree a grand is price for any "optional" motorcycle upgrade, but there's no way to implement that cheaply. By the time you're done with the reflash you're at almost $1800 for the Tuneboy setup, so $999 is sounding a lot better.

The race bikes have it. But it's only flawless in a straight line. Trail braking into a sweeper, that last downshift is still smoothest if the racer does it himself. That's why you still see the pro's doing it themselves. Sometimes the turn they're entering is just plain weird.

So, in my opinion. This shifter needs to take advantage of both styles. When it's turned on, it shouldn't negatively effect a regular downshift.

It should have some dip switches or jumpers so you can adjust:
1.)Turn it on/off with a simple flip switch on the bars.
2.) Be able to blip with clutch in or out.
3.) Should have an adjustable blip amount.
4.) Have an adjustable blip time.

it also can't hurt the DQS and it should be fully potted and waterproof.

I'd buy that in a second. But i'd use it for fun. I still believe that it's the most fun to learn and refine the techniques of shifting until it's perfect. So I'll shift myself. But it's still I sweet option I'd buy in a heart beat for when I want to concentrate on entry, not shifting.

But, before you go out and make one, see if you can get a Ducati rep to say whether or not they're going to offer software and parts upgrades for the 1199. Ducati would be stupid to not offer the new 1299 tech for the 1199 owners. Would sell better than the lame carbon fiber swing arm covers and ignition switch covers they're constantly trying to push. Maybe not as cool as the Ducati bathrobe or bubble pipe though.

I can still use the clutch with my downshift blipper with no ill effects, it still blips for me even when I pull the clutch in, as soon as I press the shift lever. So I don't see any downside from that perspective, if you have a particular corner where you want to ease in the rear wheel drag manually with the clutch, you can sure do it and still enjoy the benefit of being smoother with the brakes by not having to blip the throttle.

jarelj said:

I can still use the clutch with my downshift blipper with no ill effects, it still blips for me even when I pull the clutch in, as soon as I press the shift lever. So I don't see any downside from that perspective, if you have a particular corner where you want to ease in the rear wheel drag manually with the clutch, you can sure do it and still enjoy the benefit of being smoother with the brakes by not having to blip the throttle.

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Yup. That's the key. Good to hear.

I have the tune boy setup and the total cost was just about $1000.00 including the strain gauge for auto blipper function.

Have the tune boy prices changed that much ?

sifubs said:

I have the tune boy setup and the total cost was just about $1000.00 including the strain gauge for auto blipper function.

Have the tune boy prices changed that much ?

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From where?? Just the strain gauge is $1057 and the Tuneboy reflash key and labor for reflash is $505 from Boulder Motorsports.

Race version for me.
But I doubt that it would be so easy to produce for the panigale.
I have the Cordona quick shifter, and they said over a year ago that they are going to implement the blipper "very soon". I guess as usual its the software/firmware they are failing to get completed..

I may wait J as I think my new 1299 will have this standard. Just joking. If I do not get the Tuneboy version I may be in on this in future. Looks like you are getting some interest.

jarelj said:

From where?? Just the strain gauge is $1057 and the Tuneboy reflash key and labor for reflash is $505 from Boulder Motorsports.

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TuneBoy - Engine Management Systems

Strain Gauge QuickShifter Kit
Strain Gauge quickshifter, Wired ready to plug in to Ducati O2 wiring plug. This allows GP shift pattern or standard pattern, This speeds up the QuickShifter and it also adds down shift blipper for clutchless down shifting, This only works with TuneBoy Tuning or Cruise and Tuning map files
$475.00

and that price is Australian dollars too

Hey jarelj
Just to make myself clear. For $1000.- I'm in for sure, but it has to be a real plug'n'play solution (race version, no cable splicing, working without tuneboy or another additional component), available beginning of next year and working for a Tri 2012!
I guess there is really no time to loose, at least before Ducati presents the 1299.

Thank you very much for your effort!!!!