Acumen gear indicators

[clayderman]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has any experience of Acumen gear indicators? I have recently bought a storm and for some reason I'm finding it a little hard to tell what gear I'm in (probably because it seems to pull in every gear). Also maybe down to the fact I've had a 7yr lay off from riding!!

I contacted a seller on ebay who said a plug in loom is not available, does anyone have any experience of this? or hard wiring one themselves due to the absence of a loom kit.

First post on here so be a little gentle, used the search facility and really didn't come up with anything

Claydo

[Seeker 77]

Welcome friend Had a gear indicator on my SP1, found it invaluable for the same reason you want one. Got one built in on my new bike and again its really useful. No experience of wiring one in though so someone else will have to advise.

Hope you have some luck!

[rst steve]

Hi i was kind of in the same situation as you when i bought my storm. I had not been riding for about 5 years and only ever riden four cylinder bikes. Had lots of times when i just didnt have a clue what gear i was in they all seemed to sound the same So i bought an accumen at the bike show last year and it is a brilliant piece of kit very easy to wire if memory serves me only five wires which can all be found in the wiring loom that goes to the clocks. Also there is a web site that tells you the wire colours and it is 100% correct. My advice would be to deffo get one.

[Stratman]

Wiring in is simple enough but you MUST solder the connections. I took the connections from the back of the speedo itself by baring some insulation on the relevant wires, soldereing the new wire to it and making good. The Digigear I bought had full instructions.

[kevg]

The instructions are clear that are supplied with them...its a bit daunting to open the loom behind the clocks and be faced with about 16 wires, and if like me your colour blind...get someone to help you...i'd have had no idea which was which, lol.

i find it usefull for motorway riding and general pottering about to know which gear i'm in.

[LotusSevenMan]

I have fitted two of these Acumen units. I too got lost in the gears due to the torque being available everywhere almost.

Straight forward jobs as long as you follow the instructions. A couple of soldered joints and I used a couple of small (red) crimp type ring terminals with soldered connections and utlised the std Honda 3mm scres to retain them.
First unit was fitted to my first VTR. My mate thought it so good/useful that I fitted another one to his too. I then had an 'Off' that wrote off the machine so I removed the unit. This is now being used by another forum member to fine effect too. I have bought my mates machine so all OK. (He bought a newer BMW Boxer Cup!)

[Jaglifter]

Must get me one of these. I'm always trying to change up from 6th!
Anyone know where I can buy one??

[sirch345]

Must get me one of these. I'm always trying to change up from 6th!
Anyone know where I can buy one??

Ebay were doing some good deals on the Acumen from suppliers that advertise on there who have shops

Chris.

[clayderman]

Any chance the people that have voted No could explain why?

[Stratman]

Any chance the people that have voted No could explain why?

Good question. Perhaps they haven't tried to change down from 3rd to 2nd in a tight bend only to find they were in 2nd already! A mirror full of CBR600RR caused me to buy one. Doesn't half pull up quickly when you drop the clutch and find you are in 1st gear!

[LotusSevenMan]

Stratman.

Oh yes! That's a dreadful feeling. Did it a couple of times on the approach to junctions hence me buying the Acumen. Rolling on through, down to second & lock rear wheel Oooohhh. Find it's now in first!!!!!

[Pete.L]

Any chance the people that have voted No could explain why?

Good point Claderman. I was rushing to get through all the posts when I submitted my negative vote.
My answer is simple really. I drive the bike by the feel of the bike. I listen to the revs and know approximately what RPM I'm pulling, if the bike doesn't pull hard enough I go down one(or two) if I'm cruising I don't need the revs so I'll change up to a higher gear.
Once you get attuned to the bike a gear indicator is a waste of time and it's just one more thing to detract your attention from what's happening on the road IMHO.
Hope this helps
Pete.l

[storminateacup]

I agree with Pete L, I spend my time looking at the road not the clocks. I keep the bike in the best gear for acceleration. It's a combination of sight sound and feel. There's no point in using 4th-5th-6th just because they are there hang the fuel consumption.

[Stormin Ben]

I'm 98% behind Pete on this one

I know that in top gear revs are LESS THAN double the speed
ie 5000revs is MORE THAN 100MPH, 4000rpm > 80mph etc
Therefore a quick glance precludes me from trying to change up from 6th

At all other times I go entirely on engine feel

The issue of going down too many gears can be easily avoided by covering the clutch with 2 fingers and/or COUNTING
Anyone who regularly changes down and just dumps the clutch back out afterwards is asking for a brown trouser moment IMO
Also the gearchange feels very different going 3-2 than 2-1. You know immediately you've just gone past neutral

I can honestly say that I have never had an issue with this on the road
The only time I have ever done it is at the Nurburgring where trying to remember where the corners even go is quite a feat -never mind what gear they are all taken in


All that said, it is very much a personal thing -I wouldnt advise anyone to NOT get one, I'd just never advise anyone TO get one

[LotusSevenMan]

I know what you chaps mean (as in seat-of-the-pants flying) but I assume you have removed the revcounters to save weight as a complete waste of time having it fitted as it's just another visual distraction. Same with the neutral light, stand down switch etc.

I think once you become attuned to the bike it does get better and you know that 2-1 clunk before it becomes an issue but for approx 40 quid I like the thing (+ gadget factor )

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ACUMEN-DG8-DIGITA ... dZViewItem