Gear identity switch

[waterslider65]

Have any of you ever tried one of those gear identity switches on a Goldwing? If so does it work good? I should have asked if it was reliable? I don't remember the name or number, but the one I have reference to plugs into the wiring harness under the seat and works automatically. No wires to splice or cut. I've been thinking about purchasing one and wanted some input as to how functional they are?

[Fatwing Chris]

I don't have one,but would in a heartbeat if I had the cash laying around.Had the factory one on my 85 Aspy and missed it on the 1500(there was no plug & play one for an 89) and am still missing it on the 1800.Been on a lot of forums for a quite a few years and don't remember anybody saying they had any problems with them.GWRRA advertises one in WingWorld so they must be good right?

[waterslider65]

The gear identity indicator I ordered was a Heal Tech Pro DS for a GL 1800 05-14. Look it up and give me your opinion of it. Looks real simple to hook up. Could fool me though

[WingAdmin]

They were ridiculously priced for me, so I made my own.

My Bike PC screen

[charliektm400exc]

WingAdmin. Now that I like, especially if the temperature was in C.

I'm with you, every time I look at the commercial gear indicators I think it's to much money for what they do.

Any chance it's something us home hobby people could build?

Charlie

[CMReynolds1]

WingAdmin, will you share please? Pretty Please with lots of sugar on it!!!!

[Wingsconsin]

I had it on my '85 GL1200 Aspencade..
Once I moved to a GL1500 I realized it wasn't necesary --
On the GL1800 I don't need it -- On my 850 I don't need one...
Adapt --

[WingAdmin]

WingAdmin. Now that I like, especially if the temperature was in C.

I'm with you, every time I look at the commercial gear indicators I think it's to much money for what they do.

Any chance it's something us home hobby people could build?

Charlie

Pretty much no chance - I had to design my own circuit board, design and build the support circuitry, write all the software that runs on the small computer that operates it all, and then figure out how to put it on the bike and make it waterproof. It was a fairly major undertaking. You can see more on it here: viewtopic.php?t=10172

[Fatwing Chris]

I had it on my '85 GL1200 Aspencade..
Once I moved to a GL1500 I realized it wasn't necesary --
On the GL1800 I don't need it -- On my 850 I don't need one...
Adapt --

No you're right nobody really needs one,but they are nice to have.You never,ever do a second gear start by accident?

[Wingsconsin]

I had it on my '85 GL1200 Aspencade..
Once I moved to a GL1500 I realized it wasn't necesary --
On the GL1800 I don't need it -- On my 850 I don't need one...
Adapt --

No you're right nobody really needs one,but they are nice to have.You never,ever do a second gear start by accident?

..2nd gear start ..? NO - not on my GS850GL nor the GL1500 I am replacing with my new-to-me GL1800.
The GL1800 I HAVE done a 2nd gear start once -- but I learned whet it felt like and make sure I get into 1st when I need to...Which on the 1800 isn't really a big deal... that bike could be 4 gears and it would be okay....

[Dark Angel]

Why not just look at the tach and speedo. Once I taught my wife she can look over my shoulder and tell what gear we are in. 5th, speedo arm above tach. 4th both even, 3rd tach a bit above speedor, 2nd quite a bit higher than speedo. I rarely take off in first. If I see the green light it is right back up the 2nd for me.

[Easy rider]

On EU models with km/h speed scale :

More or less or very often (on local roads and in town) I drive arround 2000 rpm and I found the following :
2nd gear = 40 km/h, 3rd gear = 50 km/h, 4th gear = 60 km/h, 5th gear = orange indicator lamp.
So, if neccessary, arround 2000 rpm it is very easy to find out in what gear you are driving at the moment.

[TheWingNut]

I did install a gear identity switch on my 2006 GL1800 with the type that plugs in to the diagnostic port under the seat.

It does work, except for one not so small issue. It only displays the gear when the clutch is engaged. If you are sitting at a red light, it does not display the gear... only once you release the elver a bit will it display the gear.

So if you are looking to prevent starts from second gear, save your money. For a novelty, it does display the gear when you are moving.

[kit980]

I bought my gear indicator from Blue Monkey Motorsports. $159 2 year warranty. I have one on my Goldwing GL 1800 my wife had a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 I put one on it work great sold it and bought her Honda CTX 1300 I put one on it works great. First one I ever bought for my Goldwing did not work called the company they sent me a new one I sent the old one back no problems they come in I believe 5 colors I have a blue and as you can see very easy to program and I love it. It's better to buy it off eBay from Blue Monkey because it's free USPS Priority Shipping.

there is some glare from the camera shot but I place my behind my right speaker Grill. My left speaker Grill has a voltmeter. I use Velcro the plastic type so that it was stick on the speaker Grill housing it be removed anytime the housing has to come off for any type of repair.

[ndfan77]

I bought my gear indicator from Blue Monkey Motorsports. $159 2 year warranty. I have one on my Goldwing GL 1800 my wife had a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 I put one on it work great sold it and bought her Honda CTX 1300 I put one on it works great. First one I ever bought for my Goldwing did not work called the company they sent me a new one I sent the old one back no problems they come in I believe 5 colors I have a blue and as you can see very easy to program and I love it. It's better to buy it off eBay from Blue Monkey because it's free USPS Priority Shipping.

20161209_064133.jpg

there is some glare from the camera shot but I place my behind my right speaker Grill. My left speaker Grill has a voltmeter. I use Velcro the plastic type so that it was stick on the speaker Grill housing it be removed anytime the housing has to come off for any type of repair.

Does it have the issue described in the post directly prior by The WingNut where it doesn't display when the clutch is pulled?

[kit980]

It is not an issue. It plugs into the diagnostic connection under the seat. It will only get a signal when the clutch is released. I have no problem with this.