[Addicted2junk]

Hello all,

I’m a mechanical designer and machinist by trade. I really like the Honda machines, and I love that they’re still making quads that shift. I understand the advantages of a belt drive, but for me (and obviously others who like Honda) the joy of riding involves your left foot being active.

One of the biggest gripes I’ve seen is with the ES system. It’s obviously reliable and what not, but there are plenty of situations where I want to manually shift without looking at my left hand. I know you can buy a foot shift model, but you miss out on low range and DCT shift programs.

I have a solution.

I’m going to make an electric foot shifter, that ties in with the thumb shift buttons. It would be bolt-on, plug and play. So you can still thumb shift if you want, and if you have a dct machine, it’d still be able to function as it did stock.

Would anyone be interested in this? What would you be willing to pay? I know there’s been several forums in the past about adding a mechanical shifter, but obviously the ES transmissions don’t live long that way.

If you’re interested, I need some help with development. I’m in Cincinnati Ohio. I need to be able to test the thumb switch to design my switch. Once I have a working prototype, I’d need 3-5 different guys to test and report performance. Of course these units would be free to keep for whoever tests.

I know this is my first post, but I’ve been lurking for years. I’m a bit of a recluse, but for this sort of thing I need human interaction.

 

[shadetree]

your best bet ?, would be to perhaps design a better electric shift maybe for Honda ??. why would anyone want to buy an es model, but use their foot to shift ( unless of course, its like all other es models..and they don't work ! ) ?. it's pretty straight forward, if you want to use your foot ?, then buy a manual foot shift. if you want to use your thumb to shift ?, then buy a es model. UNLESS !!!!!, your handy capped, and can't use your foot ?, i see no other reason to waste money on a crappy design by Honda with a es model. they are pure junk in my book. manual shift has worked for decades !, why mess with a great design..when it has worked all this time..with less issues than what these stupid es models have caused ?!. yeah..just...no !..lol. i'll stick with what works, has a proven track record. i'm sure some folks might take you up on your offer ?, but i won't be one of them.

 

[Addicted2junk]

Shadetree

I’m right there with you. My favorite quad so far has been my ‘87 350 foreman. The only thing I don’t like about it is it beats me to death on trails! I’m looking at the new rubicon and I’d love to have the IRS and EPS as I have a bum left shoulder. If I buy new, the foot shift is definitely my preference, EXCEPT they offer the ES model (DCT) with low range, but the foot shift doesn’t get low range, which I think is totally bull.

Regardless, I think whether it’s ES or manual, the left thumb is just dumb to a lot of riders. There’s several threads on here about adding a mechanical shifter already, but those shorten the life of the trans. A lot of people have ES quads, and Honda is selling more and more of them. I’d like to think they’re also improving on the design, and the addition of DCT is an indication of that. I agree, though, my 07 trx350es was an embarrassment to Honda.

I’m not trying to sell a product that I myself definitely want. I do, however, want to fill a need that’s not otherwise been met. Some people have had a lot of luck with ES, some have not. I’m addressing those who are otherwise happy with ES, but would like to relocate their shifter to their left foot instead of their thumb. I feel like this is gonna be more and more relevant as Honda sells more ES/DCT models and less bare bones models

 

[Addicted2junk]

To clarify, this would be in ADDITION to the thumb shifter, meaning you could shift with your thumb OR your foot. Zero functionality would be lost. I’m also considering adding a rocker shifter, like the old arctic cat 400, so you can upshift with your heal.

 

[mrbb]

I might be wrong, but the reason the foot shift doesn't have a low range is you can stick to first gear and think overall its geared lower than the ES model's
kinda like the rachers were geared higher than the foremans?
but I could be wrong here
honestly I am not sure the difference between each's low gar is worth all the troubles of making a electric foot shift for the model

As we all know most of the electrical issue's come from water and temps, and a foot shift will be lower to the water and many times under water, so I just see more electrical issue's having power to a foot shift
anything can be built, but is the trouble worth the gains or costs?
I'd say no here for sure
might just lead to more electrical gremlins to deal with IMO!

 

[shadetree]

Shadetree

I’m right there with you. My favorite quad so far has been my ‘87 350 foreman. The only thing I don’t like about it is it beats me to death on trails! I’m looking at the new rubicon and I’d love to have the IRS and EPS as I have a bum left shoulder. If I buy new, the foot shift is definitely my preference, EXCEPT they offer the ES model (DCT) with low range, but the foot shift doesn’t get low range, which I think is totally bull.

Regardless, I think whether it’s ES or manual, the left thumb is just dumb to a lot of riders. There’s several threads on here about adding a mechanical shifter already, but those shorten the life of the trans. A lot of people have ES quads, and Honda is selling more and more of them. I’d like to think they’re also improving on the design, and the addition of DCT is an indication of that. I agree, though, my 07 trx350es was an embarrassment to Honda.

I’m not trying to sell a product that I myself definitely want. I do, however, want to fill a need that’s not otherwise been met. Some people have had a lot of luck with ES, some have not. I’m addressing those who are otherwise happy with ES, but would like to relocate their shifter to their left foot instead of their thumb. I feel like this is gonna be more and more relevant as Honda sells more ES/DCT models and less bare bones models

i'll bet a dime to a dollar, if you look on CL's right now ?..YOU WILL SEE MORE ES MODELS FOR SALE THAN YOU WILL SEE MANUAL SHIFT MODELS, WANT TO TAKE THAT BET ??. lol. es models are a waste of money. owners want to mod atvs, go mud ridding, lake willys, all that ?..just to have them break down, not work. ( and yes..they will do this with manual shift models as well ) but the odds of the es model breaking down, not shifting before a manual shift does ?..yeah..my money is on a manual shift all day long.

 

[shadetree]

I might be wrong, but the reason the foot shift doesn't have a low range is you can stick to first gear and think overall its geared lower than the ES model's
kinda like the rachers were geared higher than the foremans?
but I could be wrong here
honestly I am not sure the difference between each's low gar is worth all the troubles of making a electric foot shift for the model

As we all know most of the electrical issue's come from water and temps, and a foot shift will be lower to the water and many times under water, so I just see more electrical issue's having power to a foot shift
anything can be built, but is the trouble worth the gains or costs?
I'd say no here for sure
might just lead to more electrical gremlins to deal with IMO!

es models are for lazy folks, or handy capped, i see no other reason for them, least not until Honda improves their design ?, they suck !!.

 

[shadetree]

To clarify, this would be in ADDITION to the thumb shifter, meaning you could shift with your thumb OR your foot. Zero functionality would be lost. I’m also considering adding a rocker shifter, like the old arctic cat 400, so you can upshift with your heal.

orrrrrrrrrr, you could just go with a manual shift, and not worry about it lasting for more than a day or two ?..lol. don't get me wrong, i get it, your trying to improve on a stupid design..nice of ya !!. but, to me..one thing works for sure..manual shift. anytime you toss in sensors, switches, all that useless crap ?, then your gonna have it break down, not last.

 

[Addicted2junk]

I definitely understand the concerns, and I would totally work to address water issues before they even happen. I do know, however, that despite having bugs year after year, people keep buying ES models, and a percentage of them like their ES. I’m looking to see if some of those people, who have ES and like it, would be interested in a foot shifter in addition to their thumb. Especially if it were the same reliability level or better than the rest of their ES system. Not trying to replace mechanical quads here, because I prefer mechanical myself. I’m trying to fill a niche that might or might not exist. If nobody wants this option, I won’t move forward. If anyone is interested, I’d really like to hear from you!

 

[mac102004]

I think it's a great idea and IF I had a DCT or even ES model I would 100% be interested in having one on my machine.

 

[mrbb]

I definitely understand the concerns, and I would totally work to address water issues before they even happen. I do know, however, that despite having bugs year after year, people keep buying ES models, and a percentage of them like their ES. I’m looking to see if some of those people, who have ES and like it, would be interested in a foot shifter in addition to their thumb. Especially if it were the same reliability level or better than the rest of their ES system. Not trying to replace mechanical quads here, because I prefer mechanical myself. I’m trying to fill a niche that might or might not exist. If nobody wants this option, I won’t move forward. If anyone is interested, I’d really like to hear from you!

I hate to say it but I think most folks that buy ES want them due to they don't have to foot shift?, modern times, everyone wants to push a button for things to work?
and far too many see a foot shift as being a skill they don't wish to learn, or it just comes down to MOST folks today are LAZY and want to do as little manual work as possible, even shifting gears
its WHY so many auto atv's rule the market
add in some of the gains of a auto/button shift, can keep feet up high when in mud/water, can focus just on driving and not worrying about what gear there is
they all want easier and less skill to be used and riven
atv's are designed to be about idiot proof, due to so many idiots own them LOL

the die hard guys that want this option, I think are a dying breed and far and few sadly
I personally wish more atv's came with gears you can foot shift
never see any real sport atv 's that are auto LOL and I mean 2 wheel drive that they jump and race like, NOT them huge CC 4x4's that weight so much!(yes they got get up and go , but run one on a MX ATV track and come back and tell me how great they handle LOL )
and the real sport atv';s have a REAL manual clutch too, not these semi auto deals, again to be driven by anyone!!

auto trans and such have come a long way, but I still feel more connected to a sports??? car MX bike ATV having to shift gears myself!, even like it on my tractors to be honest!
but am lazy when it comes to my truck, Auto and cruise control has gotten me a lot of miles trouble free LOL

 

[Glock]

450es

I have a 450es that works right about half the time I have had it apart from font to rear and nothing helps it. I would definitely be in on your project

 

[Jeepwm69]

As I understand it this wouldn't fix any ES machines that aren't working.

The machine would still shift electronically, this would just add a foot operated shifter (actually a switch) that would shift the machine electronically, correct?


Interesting idea. Don't know that you'd have a big market for them, but might be a niche market.

 

[wheelsquad]

If it were me and I wanted both push button and foot shifting (which I don't), I would start out with a foot shift model, then add a simple electronin/pneumatic override that operates to foot shift mechanism by the push of up/down buttons. Such things already exist for paraplegics that ride motorcycles.

 

[shadetree]

If it were me and I wanted both push button and foot shifting (which I don't), I would start out with a foot shift model, then add a simple electronin/pneumatic override that operates to foot shift mechanism by the push of up/down buttons. Such things already exist for paraplegics that ride motorcycles.

there is also a part out there that you can bolt right onto the foot shift lever, like a stick shift, and use your hands to change gears. no electricity needed !..lol.

 

[Addicted2junk]

Another application might be if someone wanted to put a pioneer 1000 motor in their foot shift rubicon. But since no one is interested...

 

[fishfiles]

The best way to rid yourself of ES shift problems now and in the future is a $.99 For Sale sign

 

[jdp]

If I'm wrong say so, but I think I seen a kit of a video on youtube somewhere to do it. But foot shift is superior to an ES model.

 

[rodp]

Wouldn't an add on kit to give foot shift the option of button shift be a better seller? Could maybe a useful option now and then to just press a button and change up or down.
It would need to be small, inconspicuous and relatively inexpensive.

 

[mac102004]

Wouldn't an add on kit to give foot shift the option of button shift be a better seller? Could maybe a useful option now and then to just press a button and change up or down.
It would need to be small, inconspicuous and relatively inexpensive.

That has actually been done. Cycle country used to sell a kit just for that years ago.