Gearing

[pat]

Any one messed about with their final drive gearing, my 650 has 16 front and 45 rear and seems to top out in top at 105-110mph was wondering what it might do on 16-41 or what the trade offs are at the moment it could be a bit faster top end but i gets up there quick enough .

Pat

[isaac]

Your gearing will be about 7-8% taller if you go to 41 teeth in the back. That won't slow you down too much in acceleration, and will push the bike's revs closer to the torque peak at higher speed. Unless your bike can currently reach redline in top gear (bounced it off the limiter) you'll probably only pick up a couple mph up top with the gearing change.

[pat]

sounds like its not worth the effort then or is there a setup that would give a bit more mph in top gear

[isaac]

sounds like its not worth the effort then or is there a setup that would give a bit more mph in top gear

Well if you drop to a 41 tooth sprocket and then add UNI pods, jet kit and/or a pipe, you'll have a couple more mph up top too.

[JeffL]

The stock gearing is 16/44 correct? I'm trying to figure out a base parts list on whats gonna get replaced on my bike when I get it.

[isaac]

The stock gearing is 16/44 correct? I'm trying to figure out a base parts list on whats gonna get replaced on my bike when I get it.

Yes that's it. I personally think it's geared on the short side. If it had a sixth gear that was another 50% taller for the freeway it'd be perfect.

I've never understood why all bikes don't have a cruising gear for the freeway. My Hawk, even a tooth taller, is still spinning 5,500-6,500rpm at freeway speeds. There's no way in hell it needs the engine's maximum torque at 75mph. I think it should spin like 3,500rpm at 75mph.

My 82 GSX750 ate its cylinder head in a 150 mile round trip to tampa and back, spinning 6,000rpm+ the entire way. That pissed me off, and I blame the revs. It had a functional oil pressure light and never shined it.