Changing Sprockets?

Wassup everyone. Just got my first bike about a month ago. Its an 02 vfr abs with a little over 16,000 miles on it. I have been drag racing mustangs for about 10 years but nothing compares to that bike I love it. I have been reading some threads about needing to change the chain and sprockets around 15 to 20 thousand. A friend of mine was telling me about how I could change the sprocket to get more torque or more top end. Depending on which one you get. I was wondering, if i wanted to get it more torqier and lose top end what should i get and do they make a kit with chain and sprocket since i am at that point where i need to go ahead and replace it anyway? Plus I have noticed that there aren't that many mods for the vfr's. Is there a good website that has alot of accessories. The only one I know of is Dennis Kirk?

 

What, exactly are you trying to do? -1 on the front and +2 or 3 on the back will give you a ton of torque but you'll be in v-tech @ aprox. 80mph.
Rule of thumb:
1 on the front = 3 on the back
up on front = top end
down on front = torque
up on back = torque
down on back top end

 

I don't care about top speed so it doesn't matter if she will top out at 130 or 120 but i would like to have some more torque but don't want to make it to where its not fun to take on long trips. If i left the front the same and just changed the back would that make a better difference. In stead of being in vtec most of the time?

 

Sounds to me what you want is +2 on the back. (many gen. 6 members will agree) You'll barely notice on your tach, but you will feel it in 1st and 2nd.
"long trips" you are better off leaving it stock... for mpgs, that is...

 

Just so everyone knows, changing the sprockets does not increase torque. It changes the gear ratio but does not do anything to the engine. Saying this mod increases torque is misleading.

If the 6th Gen's are like the 5th Gen, 6th gear is just about useless for anything below 80MPH. I've been using 6th frequently lately trying to save on gas. I get 48MPG so it must be working.

I went -1F & +2R on the 89 Hawk & it made the bike feel & ride completely different. It gets the bike into the powerband quicker & keeps it there after each shift. The down side was a very noticeable drop in MPG. I plan on either just +2R or -1F & +1R just to see what difference that makes.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

KC is correct. Going down in front or up in back or both lowers the gear ratio, from 3.5:1 to 3.0:1 for example, and increases acceleration and reduces top end speed. Going down in back or up in front is just the opposite and reduces acceleration and increases top end speed. Keep in mind, that going up on the back/down on the front for increased acceleration may also reduce fuel mileage.

 

I changed my 02 to -1 front and +2 rear. I really enjoy the feeling of more torque (of course it's not more torque technically). Better acceleration, the front end has a tendency to lift when going through the gears. I've finally gotten used to seeing the needle in the 8's thru 12's when out joy riding on the twisties.

You can find aftermarket sprockets fairly easily. I got a Vortex black aluminum CAT 5 rear (45T) and an AFAM front (15T) for about $70 all together. Check indysuperbikes.com or kneegraggers.com. They usually have good prices and great service.

btw- I think I got my chain (DID gold/black) from one of those websites too. Gave me a pretty good deal ordering it with the sprockets.

 

USE steel sprockets since aluminum wears quickly.......

 

The steels do last longer (depending on your mileage). The aluminum are much lighter.

I put a little over 1500 miles (avg.)/ year on mine, so my aluminum sprockets have lasted me quite a long time. If I have to change sprockets and chains every 3-4 years, I think it is worth it.

The black aluminum vortex were just too sweet looking to pass up anyway. But it is definitely based on preference.