teach me about teething...

[orenjimonster]

hi everybody. I just got my S2R last year and i love it.  I havent been riding long (2007) so I'm not quite caught up with all the bike techs. But from what I've read on the forum, it sounds like its a good idea to change sprockets.. Soo can someone tell me why and pros and cons about it?
Thanks!

[superjohn]

Changing sprockets is like lowering the final drive in your car. You sacrifice a little potential top speed for quicker acceleration. It's probably the best performance mod for the money.

The most popular mod is to replace the front sprocket with a 14T unit instead of he stock 15T model. This increases the RPM at a given speed so you have more HP at a given speed. The engine feels punchier and more responsive.

It also make slow speed cruising in "stop & go" traffic easier since the engine is turning a slightly higher RPM at the lower speed, you don't have the stuttering and stalling you do if the engine is trying to maintain 600rpm instead of 800-1000rpm so there's less slipping the clutch.

Oh, and it makes wheelies easier. 

[WetDuc]

Changing the difference in radius of either of your sprockets will change the ratio of power delivery through your chain.  The bigger the difference, the bigger the ratio and the greater the difference will be between the speed of the crankshaft and the speed of the wheel.  Bigger ratio=more torque, but less rotational speed at the wheel.

[orenjimonster]

thanks for clarifying my tooth question!
now... what brand should i get? should i change the rear wheel sprocket as well as the front?

[yotogi]

You can go down one in the front and not have to change your chain.

The "better" solution is to go up 2 in the rear which delivers approximately the same change, but will result in less chain wear. It is the more expensive solution as you will require a new chain if you go that way.

[NorDog]

When I saw the subject line I thought someone was resurrecting the "When to Stop Breastfeeding?" thread.

[greenohawk69]

When I saw the subject line I thought someone was resurrecting the "When to Stop Breastfeeding?" thread.

It is...we were just using moto vernacular to fool the mods.  Appears it worked.   

[stopintime]

Going from 15 to 14 front still equals going up THREE on the rear

[SolidSnake3035]

So a 14 front will cause extra wear on the chain?

[COP TZR]

So a 14 front will cause extra wear on the chain?

Its said that it will accelerate wear on your swingarm slider because of the tighter diameter the chain has to run.

[yotogi]

Its said that it will accelerate wear on your swingarm slider because of the tighter diameter the chain has to run.

Also, wear on running parts like chains is influenced by the the size of the gears they drive. With a smaller gear, the chain has to turn more "violently".

That said, don't even worry about it. If your chain is in good shape, there is nothing to even really worry about. Do a 14T front. I don't think that I have heard a first-hand account of it ever causing a problem with installed correctly.

[NorDog]

So a 14 front will cause extra wear on the chain?

I think one could say the same about more horsepower.  I guess my chain is doomed.