[bookm]

Had a great ride today! Ended up following an old lane in to the woods, which turned in to a deer trail through a swamp (lots of slippery green dead trees to cross).



Well, I got crossed up at some point and I had to lay the bike down. It seemed like a harmless dump.. even had time to turn the handle bars at the last minute, to save the mirror. But when I hopped back on, I noticed the shifter peg had wrapped 90deg's back, making it impossible to shift. No biggy, the metal is thin and I was able to pull it back in to position (perhaps thin by design to save more integral components).



So I'm curious how many times I'd get away with this before the metal fatigues to the point of breaking. I just might opt to carry a spare shifter lever.

 

[assquatch20]

Had a great ride today! Ended up following an old lane in to the woods, which turned in to a deer trail through a swamp (lots of slippery green dead trees to cross).



Well, I got crossed up at some point and I had to lay the bike down. It seemed like a harmless dump.. even had time to turn the handle bars at the last minute, to save the mirror. But when I hopped back on, I noticed the shifter peg had wrapped 90deg's back, making it impossible to shift. No biggy, the metal is thin and I was able to pull it back in to position (perhaps thin by design to save more integral components).



So I'm curious how many times I'd get away with this before the metal fatigues to the point of breaking. I just might opt to carry a spare shifter lever.

Get the MSR shift lever. I believe it's for a PW80 or a TTR225, either way it's listed on the forum here somewhere. Keep the stock one as a spare.

 

[lizrdbrth]

An aftermarket skid plate does away with 90% of this and a folding tip shift lever from something like a YZ80 prolly cures another 7%.



Aside from that you're gunna bend them occasionally.

 

[assquatch20]

Shifter thread



There, that's what you need to look at. And yes, a better skid plate will help.

 

[lizrdbrth]

It can get really ugly if you manage to bend a shifter shaft, so look into some kind of remedy soon if you tend to hang out in the rough stuff.

 

[bookm]

I do like a challenge, so rough stuff WILL happen. Time to protect to bottom end

Thanks

 

[Rainman]

Been there, done that. I carry a spare shift lever ziptied to the rear part of the frame.

 

[timberfalls]

I do the rough stuff and the first day wearing an aftermarket shifter you know the type shiny alum/alloy spring-back type... I look down and its gone half way up a rutted out valley of doom!! She sheared the shaft off flush luckily I was in 1st but what a buzz kill!!! Now back to stock and will bend them from now on and carry the other brand for a spare!!! good luck

 

[shiftline]

Does the YZ 250 shifter or the ISM bold straight on? or does it need to be modified to work?

 

[lizrdbrth]

You can also tether your lever. It will keep it from bending backward but won't prevent it from bending inward and holing a case.



There are commercial tethers but a few minutes in a hardware store should get you some light cable and a couple of crush crush sleeves.



Nothing's as good as a decent skid.

 

[shiftline]

You can also tether your lever. It will keep it from bending backward but won't prevent it from bending inward and holing a case.



There are commercial tethers but a few minutes in a hardware store should get you some light cable and a couple of crush crush sleeves.



Nothing's as good as a decent skid.

Which aftermarket skid plate do you recommend?

 

[lizrdbrth]

Most of us use the Ricochet, which is certainly a decent piece, but what I RECOMEND is Turbo City unit, which costs more than twice as much. Not many are willing to pop for it and I can't really blame them, but it's definitely the ultimate in protection. Generally speaking with either only the very tip of the shifter and brake lever are out in the breeze.



The Boss has the TCI plate on her bike and the side guards have saved her motor at least twice. Once when a rock brought the bike to a complete standstill 2-up, slamming the side guards and once on this occasion. Note the scars on the rock under her motor. We had already stood the bike back up in this pic but that's pretty much how it landed, from fully airborne to dead center on the motor. The underside is more convex and rigid than the flat plate of the Ricochet and the side bars add even more rigidity and save your cases from full frontal and side hits:

 

[shiftline]

Thanks for the info, I think im going to opt for the Ricochet since its 92 instead of 230!



As for shift leaver or foot pegs can anyone make any recommendations

 

[Rainman]

I think the shift lever I got was from an '05 YZ250. I have an Emgo and my Dad's is a MSR brand. Yamaha wants too much for their stock one.

 

[RockyTFS]

We had already stood the bike back up in this pic but that's pretty much how it landed, from fully airborne to dead center on the motor.

Now, which trail were you riding down, the left or the right?

 

[lizrdbrth]

My wife can fly, but her landings still need a little work

Her helmet was toast, but it had a happy ending.

 

[koonercat]

Thanks for the info, I think im going to opt for the Ricochet since its 92 instead of 230!



As for shift leaver or foot pegs can anyone make any recommendations

Does it go without saying that you will need a 10mm wrench or socket to install the spare shift lever?



With wide foot pegs my boots were getting jammed up when shifting so,

I just minutes ago modded my stock lever for some extra length. Not pretty, but functional.

 

[Rainman]

Does it go without saying that you will need a 10mm wrench or socket to install the spare shift lever?



With wide foot pegs my boots were getting jammed up when shifting so,

I just minutes ago modded my stock lever for some extra length. Not pretty, but functional.

Stock shift lever is 10 MM, my after market lever is an 8 MM.



I have big feet too, and an aftermarket lever is the way to go. The YZ shifter is a lot longer than stock and fits my foot nicely.

 

[koonercat]

Stock shift lever is 10 MM, my after market lever is an 8 MM.



I have big feet too, and an aftermarket lever is the way to go. The YZ shifter is a lot longer than stock and fits my foot nicely.

My spare aftermarket is a 10mm like my stock one. (thought it was YZ) Either way, a tool will be required, even if its vice grips.

 

[Shellmoney]

I agree that the IMS "Flightline" shift lever for a YZF250 makes a world of difference. IMS part number 317320. Best $30 I've spent all week.