14 tooth sprocket YES or NO

[Dieter]

Do it.

[bigiain]

Gramps, I've been told by some Ducati mechanics that although it is more expensive, it is better to change the rear sprocket. The smaller front sprocket puts more stress on the chain by making a smaller diameter to go around

There's some _theoretical_ basis for this opinion, but I always like to point out that back in my vintage of Monster (1999 model), the same year's 748 came standard with a 14t front and 50% more torque than a Monster. Yeah the leverage of a 14t front theoretically puts something like 7% greater force on the chain, but a) the choice of chain/sprocket from the factory isn't anything like that close to critical, and b) the ultimate force on the chain is limited by the rear tire grip anyway. There's absolutely no question in my mind that any halfway decent quality 520 chain will be perfectly fine running round a 14t front sprocket.

and also can cause some problems with the chain guide alignment.

This is something there were quite a few conflicting reports on TOB about, at least some people with single sided swingarms reported excessive chain guide wear with a 14t front - more prevalently with people who'd raised the rear ride height, but at least a few people claimed to have the problem with stock ride height (and a few other people claimed no problems with 14t fronts and raised rear ride height).

I've been using a 14t front on my '99 M750 for about 100,000miles now (about 4 separate replacement sprockets), and wouldn't got back up to a 15 (at least not without going up to a 45 or 46t rear instead).

big

[Goldeneye]

Just my .02

I didn't do the 14t for more performance/quicker acceleration.  I did it for slow speed drivability.  1st gear is pretty tall for around town parking lots and the like.  The 14t has me slipping the clutch less...

I've also heard the reason for the 15t, was to make the bike euro noise/emission compliant.

My drivetrain is otherwise stock, and I have had NO chain related issues.

I say DO IT 

[bazz20]

[moto]
Went for a ride today on my 08 S2R 1000 and had a great time on some twisty back roads. The bike has 400 miles on it so I kept it under 7,000 RPM. When I get to 600 miles I'll be bringing it to the dealer for the first service. I was planning on having them put on the 14 tooth sprocket  along with a peg lowering kit and a gear indicator unit. Now I'm not sure if I need the 14 sprocket or not. Anyone ever put on the 14 and then decide to go back to the 15? Those of you with the 14, would you do it again? Any information will be helpful.
                             Gramps

theres one thing nobody have mentioned i ride a lot of country roads and twisties and i found the 14 made the bike harder to ride hard through tight stuff, allways going through the gears on the 15 you just roll on and of the throttle 

[duc996]

I've got the 14 on my ride and i think it was one of the best mod i've done,great on city rides...no issue regarding having a hard time in the twisties,although i have some wear on the rubber guard in the swing arm.But it doesn't seem to get worse.So i would do it IMHO.No regrets!

[davejenknz]

Switched from 15t to 14t, delighted.  First mod any new owner should undertake, in my opinion.

+1

[crashmoto]

Put the 14 on now and when it's time to chane the chain and sprockets go back to 15 in front and up 2-3 in the back.

this is a good idea, I am doing the same

[TobyDanger]

I'm guessing your fuel economy also suffers by about 1/14 or 1/15?  About 10 miles per tank?

-Toby

[bigiain]

I'm guessing your fuel economy also suffers by about 1/14 or 1/15?  About 10 miles per tank?

Doesn't seem too - remember that although you rev higher in the same gear at the same speed, you'll need less throttle to do so, and you'll also spend some of your time in the next gear up revving slower at the same speed. I use top gear a lot more often on my commute with a 14t front - around town speeds are a little too low for top gear with stock gearing for me...

big

[ArguZ]

Do it,do it ,do it.
I just shelled out 60 bucks for the sprocket plus mounting and its the best mod for the bike so far.
The 696 has a 15/42 for that reason
The 695 came 15/45 and thats just too long
And yes, the main reason is the Euro 3 norm.
Funny enough its legal to do it and no need for registration of the 14t.
Anyway...the bike feels A LOT lighter and more agile now.
I have a real use for 3rd gear in town now...and I dont care about the 8% less topspeed.

[ducisurg]

Changing to 14t was first thing I did before I took delivery of my 696!

Highly recommended!

[turbowagon]

Just want to share another perspective on this setup, I track my monster and one of the tracks I go has a straight away that I usually go a little over 100mph on the 4th gear before brake. So the 15 sprocket worked pretty well for me, I would imaging that I will probably be need to shift to the 5th and shift back to 3r if I have 14 sprocket switched.

[Tommysurfs]

NO to a 14.  YES to 15 and up 2 in the rear.  I changed both sprockets with no problem.  Very easy to do.  Why waste the $$$ letting someone else do it.

[JoDuc]

Put the 14 on now and when it's time to change the chain and sprockets go back to 15 in front and up 2-3 in the back.

When should the chain be changed? Is at 10,000 miles or at 3 years? How would one know???

[Duc L'Smart]

Have you changed the gearing on your Paul Smart? How is it? I love my Sport Classic, but I have a hard time going slower than about 20 mph smoothly. This is an issue as I live on a military base with some 15 mph zones between me and the front gate.

I bought it used, but I'm pretty sure it has the stock sprockets. Like most Ducs, it likes to go fast