Chains and sprockets

[brad black]

depends on how you ride i guess.  i run 15/43 on the wide ratio box bikes, but that gives a similar top gear ratio to 15/39 on a close ratio box.

[MonsterDorf]

As always the right tool makes life easier.

http://www.gearingcommander.com/

Pick your make & model and play away. I used to run 14/41 but now run 15/43 on my S2R 800 which gives me good acceleration without too high a rev at cruising speed. Also improves wear as the odd No. Of links front and rear sprocket means less same tooth contact. You can spend hours trialing different set ups. Hope this helps :-)

[GK]

As always the right tool makes life easier.

http://www.gearingcommander.com/

Pick your make & model and play away. I used to run 14/41 but now run 15/43 on my S2R 800 which gives me good acceleration without too high a rev at cruising speed. Also improves wear as the odd No. Of links front and rear sprocket means less same tooth contact. You can spend hours trialing different set ups. Hope this helps :-)

You good Sir are a champion!

Great tool indeed!

Many thanks!

GK

[ducmeister]

Ok so now I'm even more interested.  With a 14/38 set up my bike is doing just a smidge under 4000 rpm at 100 kph indicated.  How does that compare with others?

Also it's always been my understanding that a 14 tooth front sprocket was a fairly standard mod.  Thoughts?

[kyle]

Interesting thread!
I have a 14 tooth renthal sprocket coming for the 620.. Need it around town, but may swap back to the 15 when I go on longer trips..

Thanks for that link above! awesome stuff

[brad black]

here's mine - http://www.bikeboy.org/ducgearing.html  see table at bottom.

14 tooth front is a slightly misunderstood mod at times, but basically it's the cheapest way of changing the gearing as a larger rear for an equivalent change usually requires a new chain as well.  it's also a way to get around low speed running issues and often poor baseline set up it seems.

some models are well geared ex factory too.  that point is lost on those who fit a 14 tooth front because the internet says you have to.

[heatherp]

I went back to 15/43 after trying 14/38.  I don't do much city riding so it's better for me.  Didn't really see much benefit in the 14 front when it was on, it was still painful to ride around town.  Currently sits on about 4500 rpm at 100kph.

[ducmeister]

here's mine - http://www.bikeboy.org/ducgearing.html  see table at bottom.

14 tooth front is a slightly misunderstood mod at times, but basically it's the cheapest way of changing the gearing as a larger rear for an equivalent change usually requires a new chain as well.  it's also a way to get around low speed running issues and often poor baseline set up it seems.

some models are well geared ex factory too.  that point is lost on those who fit a 14 tooth front because the internet says you have to.

Great info Brad.  It's looking more and more like I have no idea what I'm talking about or even what gear I have on my bike so it's great to have access to info like this to set people like me right.
So now for my next questions.  My '02 model speedo uses a pick up somewhere in the gearbox, right?  But previous models were driven from the front wheel, right?  So changes to the sprocket ratios on my bike will alter the accuracy of the speedo but not so on earlier bikes?

I went back to 15/43 after trying 14/38.  I don't do much city riding so it's better for me.  Didn't really see much benefit in the 14 front when it was on, it was still painful to ride around town.  Currently sits on about 4500 rpm at 100kph.

Hi Heather.  4500 rpm at 100 kph seems high to me.  Is that standard for your bike?  What year is it?
I was talking to GK today and he says that his '01 model is revving closer to 3500 rpm at 100 kph.  Is there really this much difference between models?

Cheers.

[heatherp]

Hi Heather.  4500 rpm at 100 kph seems high to me.  Is that standard for your bike?  What year is it?
I was talking to GK today and he says that his '01 model is revving closer to 3500 rpm at 100 kph.  Is there really this much difference between models?

Cheers.

Hi Rob
I've got the '05 1000s model. It may be a little lower that that but not 3500rpm. My memory may not be working properly.    I have no idea what's standard for my bike.  G is the only other person I know with one of these but I don't know the stats for his bike.   Time to go for another ride and take note I guess.

[dragonworld.]

Not sure about the '02 Duc, but my 05 has the speedo pickup on the rear disc! So sprockets changes wont affect the speedo!! 

[Twizted]

Hi Rob
I've got the '05 1000s model. It may be a little lower that that but not 3500rpm. My memory may not be working properly.    I have no idea what's standard for my bike.  G is the only other person I know with one of these but I don't know the stats for his bike.   Time to go for another ride and take note I guess.

I have a 1000ie too and don't even use 6th gear unless doing 120kms+ otherwise it lugs. Does your sprocket change help you use top gear? I can do a test to see what I revs I am doing at 100 with standard gearing if you need it.

[ducmeister]

Not sure about the '02 Duc, but my 05 has the speedo pickup on the rear disc! So sprockets changes wont affect the speedo!! 

Yes, looks like mine is the same.  Good in that it's not connected to the gearbox.

[heatherp]

I have a 1000ie too and don't even use 6th gear unless doing 120kms+ otherwise it lugs. Does your sprocket change help you use top gear? I can do a test to see what I revs I am doing at 100 with standard gearing if you need it.

That's why I changed back to 15/43.  I use 6th gear all the time on the highway now.

[GK]

Counted the teeth on the front sprocket. As suspected, the number was 15.

This explains the 3,500 rpm at 100 kmph, and the doughy take offs. The gearing is a tad too high.

This will not do, a 14 tooth must be sourced pronto, pronto!

Perhaps tomorrow, if Ducati City have one cheap enough!

GK

[kyle]

Having 2nd thoughts about going 14t on mine, got a brand new renthal 14t sprocket if you're interested GK?