14 tooth sprocket YES or NO

[BastrdHK]

I just switched my drive system on my m900 from 14/43 to 15/41(15/38 stock).  The +7 was definitely fun , and I felt very hooligan, but shifts came very fast.  I did not like the fact that I lost 10mph top end though.  The engine had more to give, but gearing would not allow it.  I went to +3, which, IMO is the optimal gearing for monsters.

I chose a Sidewinder titanium final drive system from Krause Racing.  Their titanium II sprockets are guaranteed for LIFE!  Some guys have been running the same sprockets for 25yrs with no problems......offroad

Guys, this site is worth your time, and a very interesting read.  I highly recommend Krause Racing.....quality products, and EXCELLENT customer service!  I called late on Fri., and one of the head gearing engineers called me back and gave me his personal cell # with instructions to call anytime over the weekend.  Only downside was 4 weeks from order to receipt, but this is due to the fact that every order is treated as custom and designed/cut to your gearing choice.

I chose the highest tensile strength chain possible(16,000lbs).  Overkill for an 72hp monster?......absolutely, but it will require less adjustment over its 30k mi lifespan.  Check the link below and you will see there is no real difference in tensile strength between quality 520 and 525 pitch chains.  Its the materials they are made of that count!

http://sidewindersprockets.com/v-series_smart_chain.html

As far as gearing is concerned, it is important to consider that some gearing combinations will wear faster and unevenly.  Even gearing, such as 14/42 will accelerate wear on your drive system because  the sprocket teeth and chain links are more likely to contact at the same points more often.  Odd combinations(15/41) will contact at the same points less often resulting in more uniform wear and a longer lasting drive system.

This site will help you choose the right gear ratio for your application:  http://www.gearingcommander.com/

Good luck, I will post pics of the install soon to show why you should not compromise when choosing your final drive system.

HK

[MikeZ]

A 520 chain will hold up to anything but the most tricked out bikes.
ca-cyclesworks.com is great to deal w/ too.

[DoubleEagle]

I switched to a 14T front and there was a very noticeable increase in bottom end umph ,and quickness in the lower gears of my S4Rs. I say try it. if you don't like it it is an easy switch to have done.

[CougarSlayer]

Another report got my 14 t thursday after riding 2 two years with the stock front sprocket.  Let me tell you again it is worth its weight in  .  Was in traffic commuting and its awesome no switching gears trying to find the sweet spot while cruising in traffic.  I love it and would recommend it to anyone like double said try if you like keep if not switch back.

lata,

-panthro

[NuTTs]

Yes, both my ex S4Rs and my current 749 have all had 14T front sprocket. The 749 now has a matching 40T rear sprocket.

[Cucciolo]

I've been on the 14t for about 3 weeks now and tomorrow I will go back to the 15t. I was playing around with the gearing commander and I could see how the 14/42 compared to stock 15/42 really lowered the speed even at lower gears for a given RPM. The bike is much more fun with the 15/42 vs the 14/42, but the drawback is that the bike lags (stutters) when you have to maintain a low rpm at lower gears for a while, like in the parking lot. I will have to try going up one on the back and see if that will make a good compromise. The gearing commander is a really useful tool! 

[Crazy Canadian]

I took delivery of my S2R800 new with the3 sprocket mod done by the dealer.  I've never driven it any other way.  That being said, I have heard that rather than go 3 up in the rear, that you should do the front AND the rear.  I think it was one down front two up rear?  Has anyone heard this??

[brimo]

 Can only comment on my own experience: S2R 800 Yes  $38 plus postage best mod ever 

[jbrizz]

I say it depends. 

I ride mostly  on two lane twisty mountain roads where I rarely reach 70 MPH, so I like the 14.   

When I ride my bike to work I'm one a stretch of Rt. 287 where cars and trucks are going 80 MPH and I feel like I'm reving the piss out of the bike in order to go 80 MPH.  I don't see the need to rev an engine that has more than enough torque to maintain that speed at a lower RPM.

So around the city and in the twisties...I think the 14 is the way to go.  If I were to ride on the highway more, I'd stick with the 15 or even think about a 16.

[Cucciolo]

I say it depends. 

I ride mostly  on two lane twisty mountain roads where I rarely reach 70 MPH, so I like the 14.   

When I ride my bike to work I'm one a stretch of Rt. 287 where cars and trucks are going 80 MPH and I feel like I'm reving the piss out of the bike in order to go 80 MPH.  I don't see the need to rev an engine that has more than enough torque to maintain that speed at a lower RPM.

So around the city and in the twisties...I think the 14 is the way to go.  If I were to ride on the highway more, I'd stick with the 15 or even think about a 16.

That is why going up 1 in the back should be a happy compromise. You won't loose much speed for a given rpm compared to having a 14t, while you still fix some lugging at lower RPMs. I came up with this theory after playing around with the gearing commander. You can see how much speed at any RPM for up to 3 different settings. Also, you can compare the changes in different gears. Very useful tool to better understand HOW the different combinations affect your speed. http://www.gearingcommander.com/

Today I went back to the 15t! I just came back from riding and I love it. The bike is FUN to me again! The bike doesn't feel jerky at lower RPMs like I remember. I think it is a matter of just getting used to rev it a little bit or feather the clutch a bit too when you are going really slow. I have all the juice at the twist again! Bottom line, I AM HAPPIER WITH THE 15T for now...

[ducatania]

I tried the 14, hated it and went back to the 15. With the 14, I felt I was always shifting and I didn't like my bike running 500 rpm higher on the highway.

I never understood people saying they had problems pulling away from a stop with the stock gearing?

[Greg]

I tried the 14, hated it and went back to the 15. With the 14, I felt I was always shifting and I didn't like my bike running 500 rpm higher on the highway.

I never understood people saying they had problems pulling away from a stop with the stock gearing?

I have not tried the 14T so I can only say what I dislike about the stock gearing. At 70mph I am only at 4,000rpm which is right at the bottom range of where the motor seems happy, anything lower or going into a headwind or up a slightr incline and the motor lugs and feels uncomfortable. For that reason I find myself shifting from 6th to 5th a lot to get the motor happier. Also slow speeds or parking lots feel uncomfortable, and I often find myself in that awkward zone between 1st and 2nd.

I probably will not do 14T, but will wait until the chain and sprockets needs to be replaced and then go up 1 or two teeth in the back.

[BastrdHK]

I have not tried the 14T so I can only say what I dislike about the stock gearing. At 70mph I am only at 4,000rpm which is right at the bottom range of where the motor seems happy, anything lower or going into a headwind or up a slightr incline and the motor lugs and feels uncomfortable. For that reason I find myself shifting from 6th to 5th a lot to get the motor happier. Also slow speeds or parking lots feel uncomfortable, and I often find myself in that awkward zone between 1st and 2nd.

So in fifth your RPMs @70mph are 4,500-4,700?  Stay in fifth or go faster   If you are in traffic/slow speed maneuvers more often the 14t may be the correct choice.  I personally prefer higher speed/lower rpms , and +3 is optimal for my riding style.

[Cucciolo]

So in fifth your RPMs @70mph are 4,500-4,700?  Stay in fifth or go faster   If you are in traffic/slow speed maneuvers more often the 14t may be the correct choice.  I personally prefer higher speed/lower rpms , and +3 is optimal for my riding style.

Plus 3 on the back is the same as 1 down in the front. Check the gearingcommander.com and see it yourself

[BastrdHK]

You're right Julianista,  -1 front is like +2.5 rear.  I was coming off of +5 in the rear, and was happy to get my speed back.    Sorry about the confusion.