Seems like knowing what gear I'm in, especially when headed into a decelerating continuous right-angle turn, would really be useful. But mostly I only guess. So I was wondering, why don't bikes have gear indicators (other than N and 6)? Had this on a nice little Mazda 3 I rented last year in Europe and found it very helpful and reliable. Doesn't even seem to be an add-on gizmo/option.

 

HD offers an add on. Buy one if you so desire. Go to their P&A website and type in "digital gear indicator"

 

What you actually mean is "why don't Harleys have gear indicators" and even then the latest models do or at least my 2015 does.

Other makes have had them for awhile.

 

The tach tells me everything I need to know....

 

Seat of my pants tells me ...............

 

Because most people know what gear they are in. If they don't, they should. Riding a motorcycle is a participatory activity, not an observational one. In other words, you should not just be along for the ride unless you are sitting on the passenger seat.

I have seen some Hondas or Yamaha's with a gear indicator.

I am not that familiar with some if the new Harley's but I suspect some of the more expensive models might have it.

I think it is right up there with the popularity of bikes with automatic transmissions.

 

IMO after you and the bike become ONE,, you don't/won't need a gear indicator to tell you what gear your in...

 

Get a Power Commander POWER VISION and you can display 4-6 digital gauges from a list of many more. One of which is "gear". I don't display that one but it's an option at least.

 

Speed and rpm tells me what gear I'm in.
Gear indicator fans should also depend on abs to tell them how to brake too.

 

My Ultra Limited Low has a Gear Indicator within the speedo