Rook just put me onto these from another thread.
I had never heard of them.

Just had a look on the net and they seem a great thing.

Smother shifting?
Clunkiness eliminated?
Miss shifts all but eliminated?
Shift consistency improved?
Are they really that good and do all of these things?

Do many of you guys have this mod and if so what's your thoughts and feedback?

I just rode a mates R1 yesterday and the gearbox was so much smoother than my ZX-14 so if there is one thing id like to improve on my bike if possible its that.

And I though I finally had all the upgrades I wanted and the project was finished!
Foolish...

P.S.
Surely it won't get rid of the famous ZX-14 neutral to first clunk???

* Last updated by: yannih on 10/31/2014 @ 7:31 PM *

I run the Evo shift star kit. Mark at Factory Pro is awesome to deal with! I have found after running it for about 10,000 miles now, that it does everything it claims. It stopped any missed shifts due to a not firm stab. It engages much smoother and more solidly. More consistent. Excellent product and well worth it for a smoother sharper shifting transmission!

WHat I was told is that the throw in the shift pedal is much shorter with the Evo. Sounds like that would make missed shifts a lot less likely. This'll be a winter mod for my Anastasia. Don't give up on the the GP shift either. I'm trying that over winter too.

Actually...I think the shift quality is due to the HEAVIER spring in there...and the ball bearing arm.The star itself looked virtually the same to me...except for the shiny color;)...

Had this on my 07.Installed it at around 2K...so actually I never got to REALLY experience the factory shift quality over the 'long haul'.....now have the same one on my 2013....as is now...the shift quality seems 'about' the same as factory(installed about 3K miles ago...my bike has 20k now)...HOWEVER...the quick clutchless upshifts and downshifts at midrange rpms DOES feel "clickier".I've still managed to miss a few shifts here and there...but I can't find a consistent gear change or rpm range while making that change to be able to really determine(yet)if it's me,or the star doing it.But overall...it's a good mod....better than stock.C says his has 'settled in'...something like that...I will agree...it does feel overall like it's getting smoother.There are several ways to shift this trans...and lots of areas that produce certain results.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/31/2014 @ 10:30 PM *

"Surely it won't get rid of the famous ZX-14 neutral to first clunk???"...no...unfortunately.But I will say...mine has seemed to improve over time...again...this could be me doing something a bit differently...or something else...hard to say really.I'm not getting that severe clunk but only once in a while now.I try to 'notice' what I'm doing when I shift from N to 1st...and the conditions(temps,sitting longer,not sitting longer,clutch in...clutch not in until ready to shift)Placing in 1st,slowing...stopping...then into N.Coasting to stop in N..then going into 1st for takeoff.Some of these produce NO clunk...seriously...but trying to duplicate em at every stop is kinda hard to remember 'just what DID I do back there?'...But they are getting milder...those clunks.

The most consistent 'not clunking' I've found yet is when I stop for a shot break....maybe 10 minutes...then start bike...allow to idle for a couple of minutes...then shift into first.This seems to work well...in fact...the first time it didn't clunk I was VERY surprised and had a BIG ass smile on my face....It just kinda clicked into gear...no jarring...no slamming.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 10/31/2014 @ 10:44 PM *

Sorry all,
Just found Romans original thread on these.
Should have looked more carefully before making this enquiry.

It looks like a goer!

Just found Romans original thread on these.

bgordon also made a thread in Products and Providers. He was very positive about the Evo. I haven't heard anyone say they don't like it. Grn seems to be sorta lukewarm on it but I still plan to give it a try.

http://zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=D1A2575A-D56B-84E2-123E51E178D9A481

* Last updated by: Rook on 11/1/2014 @ 4:55 AM *

Well...it's kinda hard to actually feel this difference...to me anyway...and I'm being fully honest with my experience with it.Case in point...I change rearsets...go back to stock.Okay...fine.I go out for a ride.Fine.Now 'suddenly' I'm missing a couple of shifts here and there.What's causing it?We know what's causing it...ME...The new peg position is changing my toe action.No big deal.Did the shift star HELP me to not miss those shifts...or maybe more possible missed shifts?Hell...I doubt it.As I said...NO ONE shifts the same as someone else.I think we can all say..."I miss shifts ONCE IN A WHILE"...hell..I do...once in a while.Usually due to not pushing it up hard enough for whatever reason.And the website itself says...'virtually eliminates'...it doesn't say...'you'll never miss a shift with this in there again'.I feel the clickyest and least notchy shifts with the shift star when I'm downshifting(at higher rpms) more than I do upshifting.But that again could be the balance of RPMs,quickness of shift,and timing setting(s)at that particular moment.

To be REALLY honest about this...IMO...this trans doesn't NEED a shift star.It just doesn't.Get the timing right,rpms right,and the technique right...she clicks right in with or without the clutch...(except of course into 1st from N)...

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/1/2014 @ 2:03 PM *

Sure, shifting at a certain rpm is going to be a little smoother than shifting at some other rpm. If I'm sport riding, I don't want to be stuck to any particular rpm to shift. I want to shift when it's right and that could be anywhere in the power band. I guess it depends on what I'm doing. Thanks for info Grn. Stiffer spring, hey? Hmmmmmm- I wonder. Maybe I should look for a used one?

I've missed 2 shifts in 4400 miles. Both on the "track" I found (not in any videos) exiting a 1st gear 180. I've missed the 1-2 shift twice in probably 120 total laps. Other than that I've never missed a shift. My boots kind of suck too they're pretty high (steel toed work boots) so I'm hoping when I get better boots for next season this will help me a bit.

Should be a lot of positive changes for me for next year. I should be another ~50 lbs lighter (already down 10), and my bike is losing weight too with the new exhaust. Who knows I may even get some cf stuff.

I think they say..."more 'positive' shift feel"...(the website)...okay...so what's 'more positive shift feel' on a trans like we have on our 14's?It clicks in...done deal.Really...how much 'different' of shift feel can there be?You shift..it clicks in.You get lazy...it misshifts or slams because it didn't go in all the way.My shift star hasn't eliminated that....that's shifting technique.I say (for myself anyway)...pay attention and think about what yer doing...I want consistency...okay...then I need to be consistent.Missed shifts ARE avoidable.We know that because we ride all over the place in lots of shift scenarios...and don't miss one.The shift star isn't making that happen.

Don't forget here...I HAVE one on my bike...had one on my 07 for years.I wasn't ga ga impressed.Perhaps on a drag strip...maybe...but street riding...nah...I wouldn't get another one.(if I needed a shift star)The Kawasaki star is fine.I still say...it's the spring tension.IMO.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/1/2014 @ 4:44 PM *

You're right, Montana. The only time my trans misbehaves is when I'm at low speed and sloppy with technique.

Too much chain slack is a contributor but doesn't excuse my laziness.

I rode my Annitori for about 1100 miles before I installed the shift start kit. While street riding, if it was not a positive stab from hard acceleration, once in awhile, I would miss a shift. After installing the shift star kit, that completely went away. Granted, I am running the Annitori with the kill set to 45msecs, and I shift GP pattern. I think these factors play a part in me noticing a difference. But I am pretty sensitive to input stuff, I like this shift star kit enough that I would not give it up! I like the stiffer spring, the star itself is of a better quality with sharper edges and better machining. I think it helped the shifts be more consistent, and positive. Just a small added refinement.

* Last updated by: Cblast on 11/1/2014 @ 10:36 PM *

Of course I am relying on feedback from you guys but just to let you know the thing I would hope for most from this upgrade is smoother everyday shifts.
If I had one criticism of the ZX-14, it would be that the gearbox is not as smooth and refined as most other late model sport bikes I have ridden. This opinion is based on a ZX-14 and not a ZX-14R as I own a 2007.
If the advantages are felt at high rev shifts or at the track I am not that interested as I have very little issue with my experiences in these areas.
However if there is an improvement in smoothness and elimination of clunkiness with everyday shifting then count me in.
Of course if there is also improvement at the track and high rev shifting as well then all the better!

* Last updated by: yannih on 11/1/2014 @ 10:35 PM *

I mean...it 'probably' is helping...C feels it is...and others...so that's their good experience.I think it did slightly improve my 07...a bit.My 2013...I can't really feel anything different?....they did some redesigning on the trans and stuff...so for me it's very hard to notice a difference...mine shifted very nicely with the factory star.I'm not gonna go back in and remove it(the EVO)....unless something starts acting up.On any given ride...I probably shift in different ways all the time...so it's hard to pinpoint any change in shift quality.

Sometimes... I'll take off under a pretty good load...fast...and I usually don't shift with a clutch when I do that.Going up through the gears.RARELY will it not hit into the next gear...but the factory star was the same....so I'm guessing it's ME that's not quite getting the shift correctly... I'm not gonna take it out again and run the factory star just to see...It works fine as is.

I used to get a missed shift(not everytime) when cornering to the left and rolling through(leaned in pretty good and on the gas(no clutch)...shifting about halfway in...upshifting.I made a point of making sure I firmly clicked it in when doing that...the missed shift deal disappeared.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/2/2014 @ 5:19 AM *

I am running the Annitori with the kill set to 45msecs

Wow! 45? I had mine set initially at 60ms. I have a pic of that. Then, I think I upped it to 65. I thought 65 was about on the ballpark for most modern sportbikes. Think I should cut back the kill time? If a shift is missed from a weak shift pedal input, a faster kill time isn't going to help, is it?

Someone else mentioned this little tidbit...silly as it sounds...riding boots WILL have an effect on a guys shifting technique.I know.Sometimes I wear these UGG high top 'boots'.They're kinda 'thick' around the upper toe area and ankle...as opposed to my TCX riding 'shoes'...(boots really,but not full on racing boots).I get a sharper feel at the shifter wearing these.The UGGs kinda have a softer feel when shifting.I get some missed shifts with those Uggs sometimes...but the TCX's...RARELY.

The way the UGG boot toe fits in that area between peg and shift tip...it's tighter in a sense...whereas the TCX's have a smaller profile there...and allows me to 'set up' easier for the click into the next gear.The padding lessens the feel at the lever tip...the TCX's don't have that.

^^Agree on the boots scenario. My A** boots are sorta thick over the toe and the tactile sensation of the shift pedal is all but gone. the ankle action?...forget it, these boots were made to protect ankles, not shift. I expect many racing boots are similar. We have much more power pushing our toe down than lifting it (especially when the knee is flexed) and that's why GP shift should help with shifting. If an Evo shift star makes it even easier, all the better.

* Last updated by: Rook on 11/2/2014 @ 3:32 PM *

Hey Rook, as soon as I switched to GP shift I speeded up the kill time. For exactly the reasons you stated, much more positive and sharp shifting. It is aggressive, but there is almost zero lag when winding out hard, the shift occurs so snappy, it's very smooth but aggressive. I spent a lot of time getting pedal position exactly right, and I wear the exact same Sidi riding boots I have had since 05. I just found the setup that works well for me. Getting the geometry added so much in terms of consistency.

* Last updated by: Cblast on 11/2/2014 @ 4:56 PM *

I'm doin that shift star!

Someone else mentioned this little tidbit...silly as it sounds...riding boots WILL have an effect on a guys shifting technique.I know.Sometimes I wear these UGG high top 'boots'.They're kinda 'thick' around the upper toe area and ankle...as opposed to my TCX riding 'shoes'...(boots really,but not full on racing boots).I get a sharper feel at the shifter wearing these.The UGGs kinda have a softer feel when shifting.I get some missed shifts with those Uggs sometimes...but the TCX's...RARELY.

The way the UGG boot toe fits in that area between peg and shift tip...it's tighter in a sense...whereas the TCX's have a smaller profile there...and allows me to 'set up' easier for the click into the next gear.The padding lessens the feel at the lever tip...the TCX's don't have that.

I was the someone that mentioend this. And yes, different footwear no doubt changes shifting feel. The first few times I washed my bike during the dry-off I wore my gym shoes which are running shoes and made of a thin mesh material. These weren't any good either because basically pressing against the shifter they'd squish until pretty much the bones of my foot started pressing the shifter.

Before I joined this board I was reading up on the shift star. I haven't missed any shifts yet (I'm sure I will) but I do feel like the trans shift on my gen 1 is not as refined as it could be. I feel like it doesn't live up to rest of the bike. Now I'm wondering how much is the bike and how much is me? On the sport bikes of my youth, most would snick through the gears with a mere thought. I find my gen 1 needs more than Jedi mind tricks to move through the gears with rapidity. One question for you guys...does your gen 1 seem to need more input at times. I was practicing my shift timing/braking going up and down the same stretch of twisty road. I wasn't pushing hard just trying to blow the cobwebs off my skills and get a feel for what the bike wants from me. Upshift or down sometimes it just felt different and that would throw me off a bit. I was hoping the shift star would help with the feel and consistency. Hope I didn't blow 180 bucks.

Nah...you didn't.It helps...I think;)Certainly won't HURT anything...win win;)

Thanks guys.
Just ordered one of these.
Looking forward to the difference...

Let those of us trapped in the polar vortex know how you like it.

* Last updated by: Rook on 11/23/2014 @ 5:25 PM *