Reworked Drivetrain (Superlite) Review & Lessons Learned

[EEL]

My cush drives started getting sloppy at 21k miles on my 12 Monster 1100 evo. This resulted in abnormal wear on my DID chain and sprockets.

With new sprockets required, I decided to replace the entire drive train at the same time.

Superlite Polyurethane bushings
Superlite Carrier
Superlite 40 tooth rear sprocket (one tooth higher)
Superlite 15 tooth front. (I don't mind the stock 15T fronts)
AEM Factory hub
Lightened Washer
DID 120ZVM

Fit and Finish and weight savings:

Superlite products seem to be well engineered solid billet. Their Poylurethance bushings seem to be a bit stiffer than the stock bushings but I will update the review with long term comments. Overall the weight of all the rear sprocket components (minus the chain) come in at 3.74 lbs vs the stock setup of 5.25 lbs (including spacer). That's not a bad savings on rotating mass. The cush drives have absolutely no play. The rear sprocket is rock solid.

Notes:

- No instructions at all.
- The cush drives are very tight. You need some silicone lubricant (WD-40 Specialist) a flat washer to distribute the load and an extension socket to get them pushed into the superlite carrier hub.
- The carrier hub has beefier sized nuts for securiing the AEM factory plate to the carrier hub. No torque specs. They are M10 so I used the standard specification of 45NM to secure them. You need a vice to torque these down properly. Vice grip a socket and insert an allen on the bottom while torqueing the top.
- For the quick change sprocket, the nuts were M8 so I used 25 NM as a reference
- If you go up a tooth in the back. Expect to increase a link and dont be stupid like me assume the stock length will work. You'll just end up buying more rivet links.


2012 Ducati Monster 1100 Evo stock rear sprocket and carrier


2012 Ducati Monster 1100 Evo Superlite Setup w/ AEM Factory Hub

[stopintime]

Really nice set up 

I have similar products and had to modify/change/replace. Two of the aluminum flange/cush nuts cracked and the AEM flange cracked. Changed back to steel nuts and bought a CNC flange. No problems since. Could have been my own fault - don't know.... 

My dealer mechanic reversed the red cushes. He said they rubbed against something. Can't understand what, but he said it could be fixed by grinding them down a little. I'll do that later.

[koko64]

Thanks EEL. I have the red cushes spare for when I change the chain and sprockets. I decided to stick with a standard style rear sprocket which will force me to check and lube the rear hub components.
With the PUK I can run oem gearing on my Hyper and 6th gear is a nice overdrive which helps the measly fuel range.
I also tend to stay with a bigger front sprocket in relation to chain/swingarm clearance.
Lars, it would be interesting to find details re your mechanic's comments.

[stopintime]

..........
Lars, it would be interesting to find details re your mechanic's comments.

I'll ask next time I see him.

[koko64]

Thanks man

[stopintime]

Thanks man

He couldn't remember. My guess is that flange pressure pushes them a little longer inward than the stock cush with steel sleeve - rubbing slightly against something. Maybe it's serious, maybe not. Probably worth checking.

[EEL]

I'll keep an eye on them. The superlite carrier does have a slight lip on the edge to hold stop cush drives from backing out. The thing is that the superlite poly cushes dont have that same design.

Considering I torqued them down to 45NM. I certainly hope they dont back out. We'll see how they hold up in the long run.

[Pinion]

nice set up
I have had no issues with the sprockets, great weight savins at a good price

[EEL]

nice set up
I have had no issues with the sprockets, great weight savins at a good price

I wouldn't say the modfication was cheap in any way but considering I had to buy new cush drives, new sprockets and a new chain anyways. The cost of this upgrade was incrementally higher and will pay out in the long run (next sprocket change)