Ducati Monster Forum

So I finally got around to putting a 14T sprocket on my 2007 S4RS and I gotta say what the hell was I waiting for?!  It completely transforms the bike, it pull so much nicer in the lower gears and rides soo much better around town.  No more of that bogg down below.

If you haven't done it, do it!  You won't regret it.

I bought my bike with a 14t, and I must say it makes the lower gears pretty useless IMHO.  1st is a joke, and I don't dare twist the grip past half way unless I want to look at the sky. 

I'm actually looking for a 15t to try/go back to.  Turning 5K on the interstate running 80-90mph is tireing as well for me.

It's cool how people can have completely different opinions on mods too :) [thumbsup]

I waited 7k miles before i changed to 14t. I agree with arai_speed that is completely transforms the bike. It is much easier nicer around town even it the front end does become lighter.

Hey Theo, we've got to stop meeting like this!  ;) I have my OEM 15t (525) for sale cheap. PM me...

On another note more inline with this thread. I recently went thru a change on my bike. I had to change away from my 14t (which is for sale! DP unit, drilled and very light SOLD) due to the addition of a 6.0 rear BST. I needed more clearance between it and my swingarm bracing. I wanted to go to a 15/46 but couldn't swing it with a 104 link chain (a longer chain just put me back at the original clearance) so I ended up with a 15/45. Definitely not the same fun! My current ratio is REALLY close but not quite the shiznit. Now the 15/46 would have been, at a 3.066 ratio vs the 14/43 at 3.071. My point is that the 14t was awesome and I miss it.   :( I did keep the 46t I bought and if/when the chain stretches a bit (only need a little more room) I'll slam that thing on in a heartbeat.  [moto]

Definitely go with a 14t on your 43t rear, it's the biggest no brainer known to mankind. Well....

I'm in the minority.  I like the stock gearing.   It's already lower than the older s4r.

I like the 14/43 best of all the gearing and I've pretty much tried all the available ratios.

And if you think the 14T transformed the bike and if you don't already have the DP Termi kit, you should beg, borrow, or steal to get one.

An amazing difference IMHO. It's better than  [bacon] [bacon] [bacon].

LA

I was wondering if you had a chance to ride it in the twisties with the 14T? I've had mine for about 3 months now "in the box" and hesitate on installing it. I worry it might throw off my Canyon riding.

Do you find yourself changing gears more in the twisties?

I just think a 14t would be loony on a bike with the DP kit. First and second are short enough, and the front tire looses interest in the ground all the time. I have had the bike pull the front wheel in 4th.......

I'll stick with stock gear  ;D

and the problem is.....  [evil]

+1 14t plus termis, embrace the power wheelie

Stock gearing around town sucked for me, specially when driving at or below the speed limit (which is painfull in and of itself but that's a different story).  I'm the type of guy that prefers power on tap and this little mod gives it to me, in pretty much any gear.  Icon, I haven't hit the ACH with it yet, only a local canyon (Tuna Canyon) on my way home so I can't really say how it will affect the ride.  I plan on hitting ACH on Friday morning so I'll report on it then.  If you hit GMR all the time I would think 2nd is your preferred gear?

It's cool that others like the stock gearing, I tried it out for a few months and didn't like it.   [beer]

After reading this thread I ordered a 14t from motowheels. I'm excited to try it out.

Well I already got a 14T not installed yet, but from the looks of it it will go unused, my new BST's are supposed to be coming from South Africa soon and Hyperone says I'm going to have to change my gearing, maybe I'll change it for a couple days around town to see what the hype is. 

By the way I think it's going to be cheaper to order the wheels straight from the guys in South Africa even with shipping (only $200US)

Only if you are getting a 6.0" rear and aren't comfortable with the minimal clearance or using the spacer that is out there for the 5-spokers that had clearance problems with the caliper. I got one of these to see if it would work and it is too thick and I couldn't get the retainer clip back on after tightening the nut

I worry it might throw off my Canyon riding.

I ride the Blue Ridge Mts. daily and would guess it's like your canyon riding. I love it. And one of the best things is 62 mph at 4000 rpm. Roll ons from this speed are at a very good point torque wise, 60 lb.ft. The feel and sound at roll ons from that point is intoxicating. [thumbsup]

With the stock gear I found 6th gear to be useless in most commuting suituations and the bike still tops out at over 150 mph.

You're right 1st and 2nd are for parking lots and down town traffic and just to get to 3rd where all the fun is IMHO, but bumping around town is way easy. We're only talking 500 rpm difference at most anyway.

I've said for years that all Ducatis should come with a 14 tooth sprocket wired to the price tag. ;D

LA

Thanks LA. I guess I know what I'll be doing Saturday, a visit with Spectrum Ducati.

I'm hoping that now with my Speedymoto clip-ons and soon to be 14T I'll have a totally new feel from my bike.  [wine]  Good post.

One more day and I'll have her on. Another reason I'm looking forward to this setup is the fact that I never use 6th gear. I'll post a ride report when I hit the Canyons.

I went up to the local canyons this afternoon and my opinion of the 14T has been re-confirmed.  The thing rocks!  I ride ACH mostly and I'm mainly in 3rd gear, for some of the really slow turns 3rd gears bogs and I need to shift to 2nd, which is sometimes annoying with the massive engine breaking the ducs have.  Now, 3rd gear is my best friend, it pulls out of turns like a mad man to the point that 4th gear is usable (at Canyon riding speeds).  All in all I'm very very happy with this little mod, the S4Rs has plenty of power and torque and the 14T bring it right up to that sweet point.

I also love the 14t but I think it all depends on how, and where you ride. My bike with the full Arrows, and the DP ECU was annoying as hell around town with stock gearing it was like trying to drive a race car around but on the highway it was fine. The 14t really helped that in between gears feeling, and the added 400 or so rpms on the highway don't bother me too much. If I was gonna go on a long distance trip I would put the 15t back on.

I also feel that the 15t makes 6th gear worthless.

+another for the 14T [thumbsup]

I had to redrill the keeper hole with the BST spacer. With the spacer, the wheel clears the caliper, and measures up to be centered. My 07 s4rs with full arrows, DP ecu, 14T, is even more wheelie prone with the BST wheels. They really are incredible.

I don't do wheelies for the sake of doing wheelies. Something I've found is that if you keep your weight forward and on your feet and hands and  shift the bike as it is coming up, by the time you are in 3rd gear, if you think about it coming up, it sure will, but if you think about keeping it down you can - barely. When I ride to make the bike accelerate as fast out of corners or as fast as it will in a straight line, I try to keep the front end down. It can be done. [moto]

LA

 

Do you find that the bike now has more engine braking with the 14TR?

That's a good question.  From the last few rides it feels like it has less engine braking then before.  That can be because

1) I'm down shifting less (into 1st and 2nd) as 3rd and 4th provide plenty of grunt
or
2) When I do downshift, the RPM range (say from 3rd to 2nd)  is closer together

At least that's what I can tell.  Another question that as come up around this little mod is gas mileage, I haven't seen any change, positive or negative.  I still get 90miles or so to the tank.

+1 same here all the way around

+1 ditto