Should i go to a 14 counter sprocket?

[118811]

Hello,
 
I have a 98 Monster 900, which I use for errands around town & for short fun rides...not a whole lot of freeway.
I find myself in between 1st & 2nd gears alot...so I am wondering if I should gear down.

Please give me pros & cons.

Aloha for Honolulu!!!

[Speeddog]

What gearing are you running now?

[yotogi]

Assuming 15T up front right now...

Pros:
- Easier low speed behavior.
- Easier to get that front end up?

Cons:
- Slightly worse fuel economy due to higher RPMs. Maybe? Does it even matter?
- Slightly worse chain wear. Stepping up in the rear is supposed to be better on the chain. Again, does it even matter?
- Slightly lower top speed. Matters?

Go for it. The pros greatly outweigh the cons.

[Celli]

+1

[Monsterlover]

There are no cons, just do it.

On my 00 M900 I ran a 14 in the front and a 41 in the back  (i think that's -1/+2 from stock)

Not only did 6th gear become usable, the bike flat out ripped and even on a day ride that saw lots of throttle, I still got 50 mpg.  Sometimes more, and I was running a PC2 that was toward the rich side.

Do it!  Do it now!!  What are you waiting for!?!?

[118811]

Thanks for the replies!!
Currently running 15 front & 41 rear

[scduc]

For the price of a new front sprocket, there is no reason not to. If you don't like it, you can always go back. Now, if you change the rear, I was told that you may need to change the chain.

[ab]

After using 14T couple of times, I am going to go back to 15T this time.  I want to see the difference in the chain rub and awful chain rub noise.  I am guessing the 14T is the culprit.  I'll see if 15T makes a difference for now.

[Statler]

Hello,
 
I have a 98 Monster 900, which I use for errands around town & for short fun rides...not a whole lot of freeway.
I find myself in between 1st & 2nd gears alot...so I am wondering if I should gear down.

Please give me pros & cons.

Aloha for Honolulu!!!

hard call, but as others said cheap trial and easy to go back if not.

If you're between first and second a lot then the attempt would be to be in second more.   usually the 14t works best for folks who hate how their bike acts in first.   If you can get into second you're a little different issue.   It is possible the shorter gearing would allow you to be in second more often and not be swapping bettween the two all the time....so you won't be lugging around in second.

let us know.

[ute]

to me its a no brainer ...this is a must do mod totally transforms the Monster

[psycledelic]

Works great for that "in between gears" problem you have in town.  Gives you a little more at the get go.  Don't expect to all of a sudden come out of the whole like a rocket or anything.  I think the 14 tooth sometimes gets elevated to greek god status during these threads.  I like mine, and won't go back, but less because of the blazing takeoff and more for the fact that I think my bike rides better day to day.  I would say to give it a go and see if you like it.

[Statler]

mine is stock and I'm happy (the s4rs is geared lower than the s4r it replaced) 

....people shouldn't be changing their gearing unless they can identify an actual problem lower gearing would solve.   This thread is good, but so many people just do it because everyone says they should and can't explain what is wrong that they want to change.   

[sno_duc]

Given you ride in the USA, I think it is a mod worth trying.
If you ride in Europe and use the Autobahns regularly I would stay with the stock gearing.

[peanut_man]

mine is stock and I'm happy (the s4rs is geared lower than the s4r it replaced) 

....people shouldn't be changing their gearing unless they can identify an actual problem lower gearing would solve.   This thread is good, but so many people just do it because everyone says they should and can't explain what is wrong that they want to change.   

Some time you won't know what's 'wrong' until you try to change.  Then you'll suddenly realized what you have been missing.    I did 14T change on my old Multistrada.  It was so good, that's one of the first thing I did to my M696 once I get it.

OP:  Do it, do not hesitate.  Only reason Ducati geared the final drive so high is only emission / noise requirement.  You bought the bike already, those are not an issue and enjoy. 

[somegirl]

mine is stock and I'm happy (the s4rs is geared lower than the s4r it replaced) 

....people shouldn't be changing their gearing unless they can identify an actual problem lower gearing would solve.   This thread is good, but so many people just do it because everyone says they should and can't explain what is wrong that they want to change.   

In my case someone did it for me and I miss my stock gearing (switching back soon).