| Quality: | + | + | + | + | - | (4 out of 5) |
| Functionality: | + | + | + | + | - | (4 out of 5) |
| Appearance: | + | + | + | + | + | (5 out of 5) |
| Value: | + | + | - | - | - | (2 out of 5) |
| Overall: | + | + | + | + | - | (4 out of 5) |
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 Cons: |
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Buy Gilles rearsets at Amazon.com.
Introduction
After having some mediocre experiences with Vortex rearsets on my 2005 YZF-R6, I decided to investigate alternatives. Still being interested in ergonomic adjustability, I was naturally attracted to Gilles (okay, so I was attracted to Gilles because they looked good and 58cycle carried them for about US$100 below list, but after seeing they were adjustable too, I decided to give them a shot).
Impression
I was impressed as soon as I opened the box (which was pretty too, I might add). First, the rearsets arrived almost completely assembled (except for the shift rod) and were attached to a display rod much like those one would see in display cases at shops and trade shows). Second, even in the understated black annodized finish, these were just plain nice to look at. I spent about fifteen minutes holding them up and admiring them before even looking at the instructions.
One surprise for me were the footpegs. All the photos I had seen were shot at a downward angle showing only the tops of the pegs. I was under the impression that these were solid cylinders, when in fact they had less material then I realized. This caused some concern as I wondered how they would hold up in a crash.
Also, the diamond-knurled pattern was sharp. While I was sure this aided with grip, I couldn't help but notice that one could not touch these to anything fibrous (like a t-shirt or napkin) without having it claim a few bits for its own. Everything stuck to these things. I didn't want to imagine what would happen if I dragged a bare knuckle or two across them.
Installation
Most of the literature that came with the rearsets was in German. I don't speak German, much less read it, but that was okay since what little English there was covered any questions I had regarding installation. The nice part was the instructions had just enough pictures which were much more valuable than words for this kind of thing anyway.
You might be wondering why one would need instructions to install rearsets. After all, doesn't one just remove the stock ones and bolt on the aftermarket ones? In most cases that is true, but the Gilles rearsets for the 2005 YZF-R6 have a non-standard, dual-rod shifter linkage. While this looks like an overly-creative way to allow for both standard and GP shift patterns without messing with the shift arm, it probably also has the added benefit of allowing Gilles to keep more standard components—like the pedals and mounts—and to make adapter parts for each bike.
The only downside to this approach that I can see is it doesn't make for very much space on the aft side of the frame for a quick-shifter. I haven't attempted to install one using these rearsets, but I would imagine that it limits one's options. Any quick shifter that can be installed on the forward side of the shift rod is probably still okay.
The rearsets also came with a mount for the stock brake light switch as well as a spring to both activate the stock switch, as well as act as an—albeit somewhat weak—return spring for the brake lever.
Adjusting the foot position is fairly straightforward and requires the removal of two bolts on either side, provided one stays within the same column of adjustment. However, to keep the same pedal angle when one strays outside of that column, one might have to reposition where the intermediate shift rod attaches to the pedal, or—at the very least—make a less dramatic adjustment using the main shift rod.
I noticed when I used the adjustment position that is lowest and furthest back, the brake pedal came within a millimeter or two of my exhaust pipe. It didn't touch, but the distance made me a little nervous. Grabbing (with gloved hands, of course) and tugging on the pegs showed very little flex, and it took quite a bit of force to get the pedal to come in contact with the pipe.
Use
On both the street and the track, these were quite nice. My feet stayed planted and I could always tell where the ends of the pegs were. Shifting didn't feel strange even with the change in linkage. There was no rear brake drag and the pedals were easy to operate. I had absolutely no complaints while riding.
Conclusion
There are no two ways around the fact that these are expensive. Finding a place that sells them at a discount helps, but it is still quite a bit of money to spend. That being said, if you're in the market for rearsets because you're dragging your stock pegs or want better ergonomics, I would highly recommend considering these. You'll get one of the best rearset products currently in production. Not to mention—as some of my tosser friends might say—they look the absolute business!
Update (2006-07-09)
After low-siding at Willow Springs, I can say I am even more impressed by these rearsets. I slid on my right side for about 30 feet across the track surface, and then another 20-30 feet in the run-off area and the right-side rearset looked almost new when I picked the bike up again. The only damage was on the foot peg which—despite losing several millimeters of material on then end—was still straight.
The damage incurred by my right-side foot peg during a low-side at Willow Springs:
A close-up:
I checked around and nearly every retailer who sold Gilles rearsets also sold replacement parts, including new footpegs. A new footpeg was about US$28, but I decided against replacing it, since there wasn't anything functionally wrong with the one I still had.
My post-crash clutch-protector...:
...and right-side frame-slider (both turned upwards) for perspective:
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