Ghost Gear DQS Problems

Hi Everyone,

Approximately 10% of the time when shifting from 2nd to 3rd using the DQS... 3rd gear doesn't engage and the bike lurches and then returns to 2nd gear causing a dangerous riding condition where I am momentarily thrown forward, immediately followed by the handlebars being ripped from my grip by the resulting lurch of 2nd gear re-engaging.

The problem is that 3rd gear is not in cue to be selected at all. Lifting the shift lever harder or quicker does not help and cannot overcome the problem. 3rd gear is not in cue up on the lever. There is no feeling of resistance at all on the lever. The lever can be lifted freely without any gear available on it just like when you try to shift up from 6th to the non-existent 7th gear. You can lift the lever, but there is no gear to select.

When the DQS shifter is operating properly, there is always resistance on the gear shift lever caused by the next gear in cue. To upshift you must overcome a couple pounds of resistance that the gear to be selected is placing on the shift lever, then with a toe click upward, the next gear jumps into place.

However, on my bike, about 10% of the time between 2nd and 3rd gear, there is no resistance on the shift lever whatsoever. While riding in 2nd gear, you can lift the shift lever easily and freely without any resistance or gear selection occurring. As if 3rd gear doesn’t exist at all.

Because all other gears are working normally, I reject the theory that it's a break-in related issue.

Does anyone else have this happening?

Euroamerican said:

When the DQS shifter is operating properly, there is always resistance on the gear shift lever caused by the next gear in cue. To upshift you must overcome a couple pounds of resistance that the gear to be selected is placing on the shift lever, then with a toe click upward, the next gear jumps into place.

Click to expand...

That's not quite an accurate description for how DQS works. The quickshifter is a switch. The initial movement of the shift lever, maybe a few pounds of pressure, causes the switch to activate which sends a signal to the ECU to cut the engine. This momentarily unloads the transmission and the continued pressure on the shift lever allows it to select the next gear. If the Supersport has an up/down DQS, a downshift sends a signal of a slightly different voltage to the ECU which tells it to blip the throttle which allows the next lower gear to be engaged. There's nothing particular to 2nd to 3rd shifting.

Are you slightly coming off of the gas and unloading the engine allowing it to shift into 3rd?

Even on a bike without a QS you can upshift without using the clutch, you just have to time the cut and shift perfectly. Same for downshift blips. You can apply slight pressure on the shift lever for a downshift then just blip the throttle and it will drop right down.

bp_SFV4 said:

That's not quite an accurate description for how DQS works. The quickshifter is a switch. The initial movement of the shift lever, maybe a few pounds of pressure, causes the switch to activate which sends a signal to the ECU to cut the engine. This momentarily unloads the transmission and the continued pressure on the shift lever allows it to select the next gear. If the Supersport has an up/down DQS, a downshift sends a signal of a slightly different voltage to the ECU which tells it to blip the throttle which allows the next lower gear to be engaged. There's nothing particular to 2nd to 3rd shifting.

Are you slightly coming off of the gas and unloading the engine allowing it to shift into 3rd?

Even on a bike without a QS you can upshift without using the clutch, you just have to time the cut and shift perfectly. Same for downshift blips. You can apply slight pressure on the shift lever for a downshift then just blip the throttle and it will drop right down.

Click to expand...

Thanks for writing. I understand how the shifter works. Maybe this video will help...

Furthermore, all other gears going up or down work perfectly. It is not operator error.

Does the gearbox feel normal when the bike's on a rear stand and you're shifting by hand? If there's a problem with the shift mechanism for third you'll fell the difference (like the shift drum doesn't find the detent for third). If I miss shifts in any gear when new to a bike the first thing I do is shorten the shift lever and/or change the angle of the lever.