Part Review: Gilles Rearsets

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)
Pros:	very purty extremely durable oh so pretty lots of adjustability did we mention they look good?
Cons:	not exactly cheap replacement parts are pricey shift linkage is non-standard (on the 03-05 R6)

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!

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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:

Part Review: Vortex Rearsets

Quality:	+	+	-	-	-	(2 out of 5)
Functionality:	+	+	-	-	-	(2 out of 5)
Appearance:	+	+	+	-	-	(3 out of 5)
Value:	+	+	+	-	-	(3 out of 5)
Overall:	+	+	-	-	-	(2 out of 5)
Pros:	cheap(er than most other rearsets) lots of adjustability
Cons:	susceptible to damage in a tip-over replacement parts are pricey can't feel the ends of the pegs no brake light switch tends to drag the rear brake

Introduction

One of the problems with some stock rearsets is that they tend to drag at full lean. For a neophite rider like myself, this can be quite unnerving (especially if they catch). I decided to replace the stock set on my 2005 YZF-R6 with something a little more track-friendly. One of the features I desired in aftermarket rearsets was adjustability (probably because I'm not good enough to know exactly where I want my feet to be).

I also tend to be pretty price conscious. Apparently there is a severe shortage of materials and manufacturing options in the motorcycle components market, since I can get an entire 5.5 HP, 2220 Watt generator for less than what I would pay for a few ounces of milled (and maybe annodized) aluminum and some bolts.

Given my options, I was drawn to the Vortex rearsets for their apparent adjustability and the fact that they were about US$100 cheaper than similar offerings.

Impression

Vortex products usually leave me feeling mildly blasé: they're nothing spectacular, but not junk either. These rearsets were no exception.

Installation

Installation was fairly obvious. One thing that was strange to me was the replacement of the stock shift rod. Use of the Vortex rod was necessary since these rearsets use a different thread size on the shift pedal. I'm not sure why they didn't just make it the same size thread and use the stock rod, but I'm sure they have their reasons.

For laughs, I initially installed them with a GP shift pattern. I had never used that pattern before and I wanted to see how difficult it was to change the configuration back and forth with these rearsets. It was relatively simple and required relocating the shift rod outside the frame and swapping the orientation of the shift arm. No additional parts were needed.

Installation of these rearsets necessitates the removal of the rear brake light switch. I wasn't too worried about this since I almost never use my rear brake exclusively, but the fact that Vortex did not make a solution available (even as an optional component) was irksome. Another troublesome matter was that there was no external spring on the brake pedal. It relied entirely on the rear master cylinder to return to a neutral position.

Setting the footpeg positions were easy and minor adjustments could be made quickly.

Use

Once I got my feet positioned close to where I wanted them, riding up and down my block for the first time was a natural experience (aside from the change in shift pattern).

One thing that was bothersome was the "sponginess" of the rear brake. With no additional spring to return the brake pedal to neutral, the resistance from the master cylinder was not enough on its own and gave me the odd feeling that the brake lever was constantly in a different position every time I went for it. Although this was probably more psychological than anything else, Vortex had no solution, so I spent nearly $30 to order another manufacturer's fix.

A few quick rides told me that a GP shift pattern was not in the cards for me (at least not at this time). Heck, if Mat Mladin can win six AMA Superbike championships with a standard shift pattern, I figure it's good enough for me.

At a track day at Willow Springs, other issues came to light. Although the footpegs were knurled with a small diamond pattern, I had a hard with the feel. As I would attempt to set up for a corner, I would move the ball of my foot back to sit on the rear peg, but often wouldn't quite know exactly where on the peg I was. For a better rider, this may not have been an issue, but for me, this was distracting (especially when my foot would slide off the end).

While in the pits, I had a slight mishap when I grabbed too much front brake while pulling a U-turn to our tent. I lost my balance and dropped my bike on its right side. One of the points to hit was the footpeg. At first, I didn't notice any immediate damage (other than a few very small scuffs from the hard pavement), but when I removed the footpeg for a closer inspection, I noticed the bolt that held it in place was bent. It seemed improbable to me that a small tip-over could have caused this, but I couldn't think of anything else to which to attribute it.

At the end of the track day, I noticed a gritty feel when I tried to shift. I'm not sure how, but apparently dirt had made its way into the bearings on the shift pedal. While I doubted they would seize up right away, I wasn't about to take a chance the next time I went out on the track, so when I got home, I ordered a replacement set. The cost? US$28.84 plus shipping. Ouch! How often was I going to need these?

Conclusion

While I think these are probably adequate for the street, I would think twice about getting these for serious track use. First, don't even think about buying these without also purchasing the Graves return spring (and by the time you make that purchase, you're probably in the ball-park of the cost of a superior product). Second, if you're like me, you're likely to find your self paying attention to your footwork rather than your lines. Third, if you crash, you're probably going to be buying a new set, since it will likely cost less than the required repair. All in all, I can't recommend these even to bargain hunters. I'd say spend the few extra dollars and get yourself something a little more robust and well-designed.

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Update (2006-06-17)

Vortex has changed their footpeg design, my guess is as a result of feedback from riders. I have not tried them, but based on the appearance of the changes, I would say they probably address my issues with footpeg feel.

Vendor Review: 58cycle

Selection:	+	+	+	-	-	(3 out of 5)
Expert Knowledge:	+	+	+	+	-	(4 out of 5)
Ease Of Use:	+	+	+	+	-	(4 out of 5)
Service:	+	+	+	-	-	(3 out of 5)
Pricing:	+	+	+	+	-	(4 out of 5)
Overall:	+	+	+	+	-	(4 out of 5)
Pros:	excellent prices knowledgeable staff free shipping wish list feature available with account
Cons:	some product listings lack pictures/information limited brand selection

Discovery

Finding 58cycle was a complete accident. I was looking for a rather exotic Termignoni exhaust for my 2005 YZF-R6 one day when I stumbled upon an Ebay listing. After getting over my initial sticker shock for the Termignoni, and my disappointment that I wouldn't be owning one anytime soon, I started digging around that seller's other listings and after a short while, came to learn of that seller's external website.

Those who know me know how much I love to profess my disdain for Ebay. My sense is that it is a community of frauds and liers and morons who spend countless hours and dollars making the shareholders of Ebay and UPS very rich. All of this is perpetuated by disproportionately positive water cooler anecdotes about great deals to be found without any mention of the work required to find them or the vast number of feedback hostage situations quietly resolved with, "AAA++++ GREAT EBAYER!!!!". That being said, it is a great research tool for estimating the market value or availability of certain commodities (like bike parts). Oh yeah, and it's great for fencing stolen goods. But if a seller has an item for sale on Ebay and his own separate site, I will almost always prefer the latter.

The Termignoni might have been off the table, but I noticed that 58cycle was not only one of the few US-based Termignoni resellers to make that exhaust available, but it also had some pretty darn good prices on other, more accessible parts. So I bookmarked the site to perhaps return on a rainy day (or at least one on which I had more disposable income).

Well that day soon arrived and I had my first opportunity to make a purchase. However, if it weren't for 58cycle's Ebay listings, I probably never would have found them. They aren't among the usual suspects when doing a Froogle or Yahoo! Shopping search, and I don't believe I've ever seen them advertise anywhere.

Presentation

I initially researched two applications for our Gilles rearsets purchase: my 2005 YZF-R6 and bigpuss's 2001 CBR-600F4i. 58cycle did not offer the absolute lowest price we could find, but they were within a few dollars. They also offered free shipping on orders more than US$100.

We had never seen Gilles rearsets in person before making this purchase. 58cycle's product listing for the R6 had two small photos depicting only the left-side rearset in the Titanium and Black finishes respectively. The product listing for the F4i had one larger photo of the Titanium finish. While they looked tempting in these displays, we wanted something a bit more detailed before committing to such a large purchase. Thankfully, both Google and Yahoo! image searches provided plenty of sufficient visuals. However, it would have been nice to have access to such detail at the point of purchase.

There was some initial confusion resulting from 58cycle's product pages. First, finding the products took some time, as 58cycle's search feature, although more forgiving than most we've found (since it does substring matching by default), was a bit hit-or-miss. For example, a search on their site with the terms "yzf gilles" didn't turn up any results, but "r6 gilles" had about 14 hits, including other Gilles products and other bikes like the Suzuki GSX-R600. Trying to narrow the results using "r6 gilles rearsets" got nothing, but "r6 gilles rear set" yielded three results, one for each different R6 body type.

Second, we were able to find one listing appropriate to our R6 entitled "2003-2005 Yamaha R6 Fully Adjustable Gilles Racing Rear Sets", but when researching our F4i, we found two applicable listings: "2001-2002 Honda CBR 600 F4i Fully Adjustable Gilles Racing Rear Sets" and "2001-2005 Honda CBR 600 F4i Fully Adjustable Gilles Racing Rear Sets - Not Reverse Shift". The only differences between the two F4i product pages (including the photos and the price) were the titles and a note on the latter indicating, "These Gilles Rear Sets are not Reverse Shift Capable." Was the first capable of both? Was there something different about it that it could only be installed on a 2001-2002? We weren't sure.

Additional research into other sources enlightened us that the R6 rearsets were capable of both regular and GP shift patterns depending on their installation, but the F4i rearsets were fixed (i.e., one had to commit to a single shift pattern at the time of purchase). Also, either of the F4i rearsets would fit all years and one was not limited to 2001-2002 for the GP shift pattern.

One feature of 58cycle's website that sets it apart from most others is its wish list. Its use requires that you either have or create an account, but it was extremely convenient both in our research of rearsets as well as the ability to conveniently save other goodies we might have happened across.

Service

In the process of researching rearsets, I figured I'd e-mail 58cycle's customer service <info@58cycle.com> to ask for clarification on the features and years for the two Honda listings. For fun, I also threw in a question to see if Termignoni made a slip-on version of their Bel Grada full system. Days passed and I received no reply. I resent the e-mail and again suffered no response. I kept a watchful eye on my spam folder in case responses were sent, but sucked into the abyss before I had a chance to read them. Still nothing.

Eventually I called them up (their phone number is listed on their site). I spoke with a woman who's name I can no longer recall. I asked about the Termignoni, the rearsets and some other gadgets I had been eyeing. I quickly felt like I might have caught her just after she spilled coffee on her keyboard or something since her patience for my seemingly endless barrage of questions was appearing to wear thin. Although she wasn't the friendliest person on the planet, she was extremely knowledgeable about the products 58cycle carried. She (not-so-carefully) explained that she was not aware that Termignoni made a slip-on version of the Bel Grada system, but even if they did, it was not likely to be imported into the United States. She quickly verified our independent research regarding the Honda rearsets and picked off my other challenges like Ken Jennings. She never once tried to end the call early or encourage me to find answers elsewhere.

Acquisition

Checking out was easy. What was really nice was the ability to get a shipping cost estimate without having to provide a credit card number. For some reason, it always makes me uneasy when sites ask for my payment information before they tell me what the total will be, so it was nice to see 58cycle does The Right Thing™. Another courtesy 58cycle provides is the ability to check out without having to create a customer account. We decided to create one anyway, since it was necessary to use the wish list feature.

Our total cost for the transaction was US$448.95. After the order was placed, the rearsets arrived in about a week and in perfect condition.

Conclusion

I don't know much about the people behind 58cycle. My impression is that it is a small mom-and-pop shop that is technologically advanced for its size and is run by dedicated, hard-working folks. Their prices can be beat, but not by much, and the free shipping for orders of a certain size can really seal the deal for bargain hunters. Overall, I would say my experience was pleasant, the overall value was excellent, and I intend to return (if only to get a few more things in my wish list).

Part Review: Graves Rear Brake Return Spring

Quality:	+	+	-	-	-	(2 out of 5)
Functionality:	+	+	+	+	+	(5 out of 5)
Appearance:	+	+	+	-	-	(3 out of 5)
Value:	+	-	-	-	-	(1 out of 5)
Overall:	+	+	-	-	-	(2 out of 5)
Pros:	gets the job done (period)
Cons:	oh-my-god expensive for what you get

Introduction

After installing a set of Vortex rearsets on my 2005 YZF-R6, I was experiencing a problem with the return of the rear brake pedal. I hunted around for a solution and ultimately found Graves Motorsports' rear brake return spring.

Impression

When I opened the bubble mailer to reveal what I had purchased, I actually asked myself aloud, "that's it?" I was tempted to hold the envelope upside down and shake it just to make sure I wasn't missing something, but I wasn't. The package consisted of a packing slip, a spring and a small threaded mounting plate whose diameter was just larger than the spring's. My next question to myself was, "I paid what for this thing?"

The satin titanium-look finish on the plate was nice, but it was clear this was not a precision-milled part. The threaded hole was not centered and the hex end was somewhat lopsided. Maybe I just got a bad one, but it didn't look like much care went into actually making this thing.

Installation

Installation was trivial. No instructions were necessary even without having a photo handy. Just unscrew the master cylinder pedal joint and locking nut, slip on the spring, screw on the spring plate in place of the locking nut and screw the joint back on (pocket the nut in case you ever want to return it to the stock setup). The finish on the plate is almost identical to the finish on the joint, so after it's installed one is tempted to think that these are all stock parts. This led me to wonder why Yamaha doesn't make their rear master cylinder assemblies like this in the first place.

Use

It fixed my probem, clean and simple. My brake pedal now eagerly returned to a neutral position when I relinquished pressure.

Conclusion

I suspect Vortex rearsets aren't the only ones to suffer from this problem (after all, Graves makes rearsets too), so I'm sure there's a demand for this product, but I am severly unimpressed by the cost. That being said, it just works. How many modern devices can we say that about? I say if you need it, get it, unless you can find something cheaper.

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