BMW GS Motorbikes - Gear Shift Assist - Explained

If you're thinking about a new bike, such as any of the BMW GS motorbikes, you have an optional extra called the Gear Shift Assist.
In this short video I explain what it is, why it's now available, and give you my opinion.
There's many sellers. Here's one:
a.aliexpress.c...

[@alexs90]

Hi Dean, last year I finished my motorcycle license and was struggling to figure out what type of adventure motorcycle I really wanted. Thanks to your informative videos you helped me to make my choice a lot easier. In January I bought my 750 GS 2022 and received it in April, so far this Season I have driven 5000km and I have absolutely no regrets about buying this amazing motorcycle, thank you for helping me make the right choice. Keep up creating these great videos, thanks! Sincerely /Alex from Norway

[@MotoBrit]

Hi Alex - Thank you so much for the kind feedback, it really means a lot to hear that my videos have been helpful. This is exactly why I do them. Wow, you didn't waste any time getting up to 5,000km!! That's awesome. All the very best, and of course, I hope to keep making helpful videos.

[@jude.v25]

Shift assist will spoil you. Jump on a bike without it and you'll quickly remember to use the clutch. Even though I already own a GS, I watched and enjoyed the ride-along. Beautiful country. Thanks for posting.

[@MotoBrit]

Yeah, I hired a Honda Shadow from 'Rider Share' to when I was in Florida... did the whole State, and the Keys. Amazing. But yeah, I felt the extra work and realized I'd been spoilt to the point of no return!!

[@paulyflyer8154]

I'd be lost without mine. Now I have the knack of using it, the changes are as smooth as silk.

[@MotoBrit]

+Pauly Flyer... Yes, I'm very used to mine as well. I couldn't imagine not having it now.

[@mosley022702]

Hello,I just get this model last week and after first ride I was thinking there’s something wrong with my gear assist but after watching your video I know is a normal thing when I couldn’t change the gear without acceleration thanks for explaining this !

[@MotoBrit]

+mosley022702 ... Glad it helped. Thanks for watching. Ride safe. 👍🏻

[@digitalbathrx4529]

Glad I found this video. I’ve been wondering how that works. I’ve definitely been using it wrong. Thank you! Got a 750 GS a cpl months ago. And loving it more and more every day. Also my first time having cruise control on a bike. What a difference that makes.

[@MotoBrit]

Glad that helped you. Yes, first time for me too with cruise control. Never thought I'd ever need it, but useful as well when using your right hand for the sat nav, or cleaning your visor. Just a great feature I probably can't live without now!

[@romanthebarman5919]

Thanks mate. One of the best demonstrations of the quick shift assist pro that I've seen. Cheers, much appreciated.

[@MotoBrit]

+SuperDotComMan ... You're very welcome, thanks for letting me know it was helpful.

[@aps-pictures9335]

Thanks for this! Wasn’t sure if you needed to off the throttle, not found anyone else on here that explains it 😅😂

[@MotoBrit]

+APS - Pictures... Awesome, glad it helped. Thanks for the feedback. 👍🏻

[@motomeltdown]

Its a godsend, on a 12 hour riding day on a major tour it drastically reduces rider fatigue.

[@MotoBrit]

+MOTO MELTDOWN ... Agreed!!

[@carloshuerta9493]

Usefull video 👍 as usual. There is an up arrow just above the gear indicador in the display to suggest you the gear change, When you cut off the throttle the arrow disappear so I use this feature to use the gear assist

[@MotoBrit]

+Carlos Huerta... Thanks, Carlos. Good point, thanks for sharing.

[@alextol-ex6wi]

Even though the QS is nice, the clutch on this bike is buttery smooth, I love using it.

[@MotoBrit]

Yes, I still use the clutch around 1st and 2nd gears to be honest. Combination of habit and preference.

[@GrantSweatshirt]

Just picked up my 750 saturday, wanted the 1250 was just a bit out of price range!! Love the 750 so far

[@MotoBrit]

That's awesome. Congratulations. Ride safe and far! 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@hoofhearted1955]

I completely agree with you, takes a bit of getting used to but once you get the knack it's great. First thing l fitted was a guard over it and a side stand foot enlarger, saves me looking around for a suitable rock. If you use cruise control you can wave to people and scratch your balls at the same time, multitasking!

[@MotoBrit]

Haha - plenty of waving and scratching nowadays! Sometimes I say the weirdest things in the moment. 😄

[@paulyflyer8154]

My wife on the back does the scratching for me anyway.

[@MotoBrit]

@@paulyflyer8154 😆🤣

[@clivemanning6630]

Very informative for the unknown

[@MotoBrit]

+clive manning thank you.

[@geecee4746]

Took me a while to remember it was even there 😂😂but now i use it regularly, although only for up shifts when riding a bit harder, ive had my f750gs a year now, gem of a machine, worth it for the suspension alone👍👍👍

[@MotoBrit]

I still use the clutch as well going down the gears in slower traffic - just a muscle memory I can't quite eliminate. Great words, fully agree!

[@geecee4746]

@@MotoBrit good to hear from you again, northern ireland here, going into the doom season, but, hopefully still able to ride, last winter wasn't to bad, but roads were constantly greasey, anyhow, look after yourself❄️

[@MotoBrit]

@@geecee4746 You too... I hope the chilly seasons are not too bad. Be safe.

[@ExpatMotoRider]

Thank you

[@MotoBrit]

+Expat ADV Rider... You're welcome. 👍🏻

[@TheCAB1972]

Thanks very much, that’s really helpful! 👍

[@MotoBrit]

You're welcome. Thank you.

[@peterekman1394]

Thanks nice video 😊

[@MotoBrit]

I appreciate that, thank you. 🤘🏻

[@KevKedro]

I have neither a motorcycle or an interest in one. However, KZbin somehow new this was the content for me. Shout out to the recommended section I guess.

[@MotoBrit]

+Kevin Kedrovsky... That made me laugh, thanks for the comment. Yes, I sometimes get shampoo recommendations, so I know the feeling!!

[@kenhenryjamisola6638]

Thanks for the info👍 Ride safe, God Bless

[@MotoBrit]

+Ken Henry Jamisola... You're welcome. I appreciate the comment. Ride safe, too.

[@anfedres]

I must say that the quick-shifter is not for lazy people. It was ideally designed to keep the power when you shift gear. It is a sensor that checks what revolutions you have and disengages and engages the gear while keeping the power.

[@MotoBrit]

Yeah, I just make fun of myself half the time.

[@ianyoung2696]

Great explanation 😊 i wasn't shore weather the throttle had to be closed for down shift or i had to blip the throttle as the hand book is a bit vague, Thanks

[@MotoBrit]

Glad it helped. Thanks for letting me know. 👍🏻

[@Patshes]

🆒😎🤘. Never really understood that untill now . Thanks.

[@MotoBrit]

Happy that helped. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@KirosenRR]

I've got my 850GSA equiped with shift assist and it's clunky as hell. Bike only has 1000 km rn and am doing the 1st service in a couple of days. Watching your video, the shift assist looks so smooth, while changing gears 1-4 on mine is very clunky and sometimes has a delay. Downshifts are mostly ok but not smooth all the time. I am following all the rules to use it, usually shifting around 4-5k RPM

[@MotoBrit]

Ok, this is common when new. Make sure to tell the mechanic so they can reset the autoshift. Mine got very clunky after the few few hundred kms. By the time I took it in for the first service I couldn't even find neutral. Even the slightest up touch from 1st just clunked into 2nd. And visa versa. It was very annoying at traffic lights when I wanted to free up my left hand. So make sure they wire it up to the diagnostic machine and reset all the gears. Good luck. Let me know if it's smoother after the service.

[@maciejmotochannel]

Hi. I want to ask all 750gs owners here if you have a problem engaging 2nd gear from 1st to 2nd with the use of the clutch and with the quick shifter. On mine all gears engage really smooth with no effort but 1st to 2nd is just a nightmare and brings the joy of riding down.

[@MotoBrit]

I had a similar issue going from 1st to neutral and 2nd to neutral at traffic lights. I mentioned it in my service and they smoothed it out on the diagnostics computer. I assumed it was something electronic rather than mechanical, so maybe yours is the same. Worth checking and asking each time you have a service so they can reset whatever it is they tweak.

[@lungile65]

Great information

[@MotoBrit]

I appreciate the comment. Thank you.

[@AndyGSATractor]

I have the BMW R1250 GSA with gear shift assist i find 1st to 2nd a bit clunky but 2nd to 6th great and down 6th to 1st great .nice video mate well explained .new sub here

[@MotoBrit]

+Andy GSA Tractor... Thanks, Andy. That's the same issue I had in the first 1,000 km. I couldn't even put it in Neutral. They fixed it on the first service, so it's definitely adjustable. I should have mentioned that in the video. Someone else mentioned theirs being clunky too. Thanks again for your sub. 👍🏻

[@maciejmotochannel]

That’s a good insight. I have a problem engaging 2nd gear. The bike has 860 miles on the clock. Will have to take it to the BMW.

[@user-jv1bi7dj5z]

666 of likes 😂 … the number of the beast

[@MotoBrit]

I love Iron Maiden, so that's awesome! 👍🏻

[@NOBOUNDARIESMC]

Q? 1>2 clutch is needed or you can use the asstnt also? TY! have safe roads!

[@MotoBrit]

+NOBOUNDARIESMC ... No clutch needed once you have pulled away in 1st gear, you can click up to 2nd gear without the clutch.

[@NOBOUNDARIESMC]

@@MotoBrit Thank you for the info and your videos riding Colombia!

[@Sanazapata1]

When I do this. The quick shifter is lock. And don’t function

[@jameskelly4494]

I am in the US and just purchased the 750GS. Picking up in a few days. Great explanation and demo. I really did not understand it before. I realize this is an older video, but curious what seat you have installed on your 750? The yellow and black one.

[@MotoBrit]

I've not changed the seat, it's the standard one that came with it. But I have an airflow mesh cover from Badass Motors, which I strapped on, and still have. Congrats on the new bike. Enjoy! And thanks for watching my vid, I appreciate you. 👍🏻

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

Quick shifter!

[@MotoBrit]

+ed.T. Hansen Yep.

[@BeanieBiker_AutisticRider]

been awhile since a vid release, anything in the works? Finally have the KKE Racing VMX wheels on my 750gs, with Karoo 3s, hell of a difference off road now, downside to changing the wheels, is that you lose the TPMS on the dash, it then throws up a warning saying tyre pressures are out, just tap back and remove with the wheel, bike runs great, on the 12th December I have the Touratech progressive springs going in the front suspension for the bike, will make it better at turning in to corners, and less nose diving on breaking. Video of upgrades is up on my channel.

[@MotoBrit]

I'll check out the vid on your channel. Sounds like there's a lot of big changes and interesting info. Yes, I'm definitely overdue a new video. There's been quite a lot of rain the last few weeks, which has foiled my plans of some rides. But will try and get one or two in before the end of the month.

[@bjmabjma7561]

Every body overtakes on double solid lines! Even the cars.. 😂

[@MotoBrit]

Yep! 😄

[@alextol-ex6wi]

Sometimes the quickshifter on mine offers resistance and feels clunky, big chonk when shifting. Is that partly due to the way/conditions when engaging?

[@MotoBrit]

It needs to be reset. Mine did that for a while, and during a service they wired it up to the analytics screen and made the necessary adjustments. It was very smooth after that. There was no extra cost, literally part of the service. I think!

[@anfedres]

I have a question about the quick shifter, does it work after certain revolutions? can I go up and down easily?

[@MotoBrit]

It will go up and down at any revs and usually quite easily. Only when you are at a steady rev it has problems changing smoothly going up. So to be smooth and super quick, you need to be accelerating.

[@JoonesAdventuresMC]

I don’t have the gear shift assist, I can’t say that I miss it, I never had it. But off course if I had it it would be nice 👍 I have never tried a bike with it so it’s hard to know if I would pay the extra money if I bought a new bike. It’s hard to know if I will go for a BMW if I change my bike. I have recently done the 20000km service and I really like my f750 though, it really was a pleasure to ride it in Norway this summer.

[@MotoBrit]

I'm sure I would miss it now if I suddenly didn't have it. I forgot to mention in the video that sometimes I use the clutch through the gears to remind myself of what is normal - and to be honest, I like the feel of using the clutch as a brake when slowing to a gradual stop, especially knocking down from 4th to 2nd in one go, and then opening the clutch to get a pull on the engine to take the work off the front brake. I still do that a lot actually. But, yes, it's definitely a luxury in most riding conditions.

[@JoonesAdventuresMC]

@@MotoBrit I wonder how it is to have the DCT on the Africa Twin. With the qshift you have the possibility to ride it with clutch. I have only owned cars with manual transmission. But when driving automatic transmission I rarely miss to shift gear manually. Especially when reversing with a trailer it’s really convenient with automatic transmission 🤔

[@MotoBrit]

+Joones Adventures MC ... I must confess, I prefer auto in cars too. By far. My old 1977 Land Rover is manual, but that's good fun to drive. 😄

[@Sanazapata1]

I have the same motorcycle. Sometimes the change assistant doesn't work for me. It gets hard and doesn't shift gears. do you know why it happens?

[@MotoBrit]

First make sure that you are accelerating when trying to go up the gears. As shown in my video, if you're holding a constant speed and try to change up, it just refuses, and the gear display even goes blank because the system gets confused, but you stay in the same gear. If it doesn't change up whilst accelerating, then you'll need to take it to a dealer to be hooked up on the diagnostics. It will likely just need a software update rather than a physical adjustment. I had the same issue, and it got sorted during a service. Let me know how you get on, and for others with the same issue. Much appreciated.

[@Sanazapata1]

@@MotoBrit During the inspection they realized that it had two loose cables from the shift assistant, they were soldered and it worked perfectly, I suppose the connection to the scanner also had something to do with it. Saludos desde Medellin co

[@MotoBrit]

+san tiago ... Thanks for the follow-up, good to know these things can happen. Ride safe. 🤘🏻

[@davidcunicelli1430]

Thank you for the video! Sorry if you’ve been asked this a million times before… where did you get your engine bars? And have you dropped the bike on them? Wondering if they are strong enough. Thank you for any help.

[@MotoBrit]

I bought them directly from the dealer. I tried to be cheap at first, and bought a set online, but they just felt and looked inadequate when they arrived, so I just went to the dealer to buy their recommended BMW bars. They're great, and yes, I've dropped the bike more times than I can remember. Even with just engine bars, and not tank bars, I've had no damage at all. So I defo recommend them. Thanks for your support on my channel, much appreciated.

[@davidcunicelli1430]

@@MotoBrit I will talk to them about it. I love your build and want to push mine in the same direction.

[@jimsbagels1991]

Mine must have a problem, because I can NEVER get it to go into 7th

[@MotoBrit]

😄😄

[@josemocholi7044]

Hola Dean, I want to change inmediately after taking out from dealer, because I dont like the diameter of the handle bar grippers, ... can you pass a link or description to find them?, do I need to remove originals or news are mounted on Top?, thanks

[@MotoBrit]

+Jose Mocholi... Hi Jose. Here is a link to the ones I have. They fit over the existing grips. amzn.to/3xWKGuN

[@mehmetgoren5992]

hi. very nice video. thanks a lot. i am in Turkiye. and i am planning to use this bike as commuter. do you have any videos that explains its consumption? it is a crucial topic for my location. thanks again.

[@MotoBrit]

+Mehmet Goren... Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. I don't actually have any testing of commuting fuel consumption. It's a very good point, so I will try and monitor it to make comments and observations in the future. There is an electronic feature measuring consumption, so I'll display it next time I fill the tank and see if there's anything useful I can share and discuss.

[@mehmetgoren5992]

@@MotoBrit thanks a lot..

[@Si_in_Finland]

great video, very useful ! do you apply the same pressure and movement on the gear lever as you would normally if using the clutch ?

[@MotoBrit]

+Si_in_Finland... Good question. Yes, there is no difference to the resistance or sensitivity on the gear lever. Thanks for the question and feedback, much appreciated. 👍🏻

[@maciejmotochannel]

Well. I have to apply more pressure to change the gears. Sometimes I am afraid I will break something.

[@philipTOMPSETT]

Loving the vids. I'm tossing up between the gs750 and a tiger 900 GT Pro. Have you tried the tiger and if so any thoughts between the two? Thanks Phil

[@MotoBrit]

+Philip Tompsett ... Thanks for your comment on my vids, much appreciated. I've only ridden the Tiger XCX 800. To be honest, I loved it, and almost bought it a few months before my 750GS. For me there wasn't much in it in terms of the features I wanted on my wishlist, and both these bikes came out neck and neck. Then, whilst I was pondering the decision Triumph pulled out of Colombia (probably because of pressure from BMW to be honest) and with a BMW dealer being a few blocks from my house, that seemed to be the obvious choice. Possibly fortuitous, because I do really like the GS more now, and made a lot of friends I wouldn't have by joining a local BMW riding group. Let me know which you decide, and where you are in the world. Good luck.

[@philipTOMPSETT]

@@MotoBrit Thanks for the feedback. I'm hoping to do a bit of a South America tour next year as just retired (60) and good point about availability of dealers. Maybe Triumph isnt such a good bet for South America. Thanks again.

[@MotoBrit]

+Philip Tompsett ... Good luck. Let me know if you're ever in the 'coffee triangle' between Medellin and Cali.

[@motorcycletaxi]

Interesting. Mine seems a lot clunkier in the 2>3 and 3>4 upshifts. Is the auto shift adjustable?

[@MotoBrit]

+Jerod Zakson... Very good question. Yes it can. On my first 1,000 km service I complained about it being clunky going between 1st and 2nd in both directions, and after the service they said they had adjusted it. They didn't refer specifically to the shift assister, but it can definitely be fine-tuned when linked to the diagnostic machine so that the shift assister is smoother. Good luck.

[@motorcycletaxi]

@@MotoBrit Thanks, I’m at about 5k miles, I’ll mention it at my next checkup. Happy riding, thanks for having a channel that highlights the somewhat overlooked 750gs.

[@rayweeks1056]

Where did you get your protector (for the shift assist) from…?

[@MotoBrit]

+Ray Weeks ... Hi Ray. On AliExpress. I was going to put a link but there's so many available. I'll put a link in the description section anyway, and from there you can see other sellers and accessories. They're on Amazon, but those sellers just get them all from AliExpress anyway

[@Alex-hr2df]

I have the same bike (same year and colour scheme) and I find the assist super clunky in the first 3 gears. I nearly never use it in low gear.

[@MotoBrit]

+Alex ... it shouldn't do that. The BMW service will include a computer check of the gear alignments, but definitely mention it and get a mechanic to reset it, and check with a test ride. Hope you get a smoother ride soon.

[@Alex-hr2df]

@@MotoBrit hmm! OK will give it a shot. Thanks for the tip!

[@mennogreen1]

106 in a 40 zone :)

[@MotoBrit]

+Menno ... whoops 🤫😬

[@anibal9488]

Trop d a coup avec ce shifter bmw , pas au point👎🏻

[@MotoBrit]

+Frédéric Dirr ... something is too much? Sorry, I didn't fully understand your comment. Thumbs down pic? Was that for the shifter, or me? Or both 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Ed-lz4jv]

yeah you dont need 14 minute video to explain this, dang

[@MotoBrit]

+Ed... Ok, thanks.

[@mrbjay5443]

Alibaba wants $10.50 for that part.Other places wany $70.00

[@MotoBrit]

Yep. I get pretty much all of my accessories from AliExpress. Let's face it... so do all the sellers on Amazon!!

[@Prof_Bum]

Does it feel like the gear pedal is just blocked when trying to shift while NOT accelerating? Cause i'm supposed to have gear shift pro (with dynamic package) and when i tried it was just blocking the gear shifter it feels like.

[@MotoBrit]

+Bum... Yes, it feels like it's blocked. Quite often I've been in slow traffic at a constant speed and wanted to go from 2nd to 3rd just to bring the revs down, but it always jams, exactly like I shown in the video. I assumed it is normal, as perhaps the gear cogs themselves need to be increasing cadence for the automatic shift to work. It's a little frustrating, but I'm used to it and simply revert to the old fashioned method in those scenarios... of using the clutch.

[@Prof_Bum]

@@MotoBrit Ah ok thank you for the answer. Thought i was doing something wrong. Thanks for the video nicely explained :)

[@MotoBrit]

@@Prof_Bum I appreciate the feedback, thank you. 👍🏻