How revolutionary new HM quickshifter takes the strain
Why new HM system is better for your bike
This technology is no longer confined to the GP paddock
British firm HM Quickshifter have just released a new range of blippers to replace OEM units, so we decided to find out what makes such a small thing so damn complicated.
If you’re not familiar with them, a quickshifter is a device that cuts the ignition, taking the load off the gearbox, so you can remain at full throttle while changing up a gear. An autoblipper, which shares the same hardware, does a similar job but on downshifts.
Most quickshifters, such as OEM units, are either mechanical or use a potentiometer, which both rely on moving parts. The mechanical type is effectively a contact on a spring, so as you press the lever to change gear you overcome the force on the spring, which makes contact and cuts the ignition. The potentiometer is the same sort of thing, except that as it moves it changes the voltage and that change in voltage triggers the ignition to cut, also causing a shift.
But HM’s system is completely different.
“Our units use a strain gauge, which is a device that can measure flex,” says Ben Varley, General Manager. “That gets placed inside our unit and it senses the flex being placed on the linkage, triggering the shift. Inside it’s got a very complicated digital processor, which is what allows you to set it up perfectly. With mechanical types there is no adjustment, whereas with ours you can change the sensitivity, so that it preloads the gearbox perfectly. That way when you reach the pressure to trigger the shift, you’re at the most optimum point to physically change gear.”
As well as cutting your lap times, a more precise shift also does your gearbox a few favours. “When you’re on the throttle, the gears are engaged putting pressure through the gearbox,” explains Varley. “When you’re off the throttle, the gears are still engaged but the pressure is on the opposite side of the gears. Our system looks for when there is no pressure, that millisecond when it is floating and that is when our system says ‘now it’s time to change gear’. Amazingly, this technology is no longer confined to the GP paddock where HM made their name, nor does it require a team of mechanics to fit and set up. “Our OEM replacement blippers are a straight swap,” adds Varley. “Just unplug the original unit, take the sensor off the rearset, fit our sensor and plug it in. The only thing you might change would be the sensitivity but the unit does the rest itself.”