Can I ask what the difference between the 14T and 15T sprockets is? (Apart from the obvious one tooth.) Why would a smaller number of teeth help with low speed handling? (I have the stock 15T sprocket on my M696 and I've been impressed with how well-mannered it is at low speeds/in low gears.)
Hi there,
It is probably easier to explain in terms of bicycle gears, if you are familiar with those.
When you are in a lower gear, it makes it easier to go up hills, or to start from a stop. However, if you are trying to go faster (such as downhill) and are still in a low gear, you won't have very much effect, the pedals just spin around without doing much.
When you are in higher gears, it helps when you are going faster to maintain speed. However, if you are trying to start from a stop, or are going uphill, and are in a high gear, it is very hard work to get going, you will spin the pedals really slowly.
Ideally you would start in a lower gear to get going, then once you are at a good speed, you can shift to a higher gear.
It is the same thing on motorcycles.
Ducati tends to set their bikes with high gearing to pass emissions requirements. So they come with a 15T front sprocket.
However, on many Ducs with the 15T sprocket (higher gearing), starting the bike in 1st gear will feel sluggish and the engine actually has to work harder, and you won't accelerate as easily. The 14T sprocket (lower gearing) will make the bike accelerate better from a stop and at lower speeds.
At higher speeds, you will have to shift higher (6th gear instead of 5th) with a 14T sprocket to maintain your speed. Theoretically, the 15T sprocket bike could go faster than a 14T bike at top speed, except that there are many other factors that play into top speed besides just the gearing. So you won't really notice any loss at the top end (except shifting to 6th gear sooner) but you will notice a change at the low speed end.
