Larger front sprocket or Smaller rear ???

Keep it the way it is,it's fine and they like to be up in the 4,500 range.

 

Agree with most of the others on this thread.
17/43 is perfect gearing for the 99 VFR - do not change it.
The speedo should show 24kph/1000rpm with this gearing, and at 5000RPM on highway should return about 52mpg or 5.4l/100km.

 

Went -1 in the front stayed stock in the rear a couple months ago. For anyone wanting a snap of the neck out of your viffer I highly suggest it. I'm running about 5500 at 65mph. When I twist the throttle in sixth gear at that speeed the bike instantly responds. I can ride the twisties with any of the newer bikes and crawl right up their azz now. I love the look of kids faces on their 600's as a twenty year old 500+ pound bike pushes them through the corners. I gave up a little mpg and about ten mph on the top end but the way the bike rides now has me giggling everytime I take it out.:dance:

 

So when your sitting at a stop it registers 5-7 mph? just kidding, but I would like to know how you are verifying this. According to a roadside speed monitor my speedo is dead on at 63mph. I will check it against a gps when I get the chance as I have noticed those things arent very accurate.
I would still be very surprised to see the odometer and the speedometer calibrated differently as was stated in the original post.

Me, Im still very tempted to add two teeth in the rear or drop one in the front, if my speedometer proves to be fast after I verify it I will order new sprockets the same day. Kill two birds with one stone and all that nonsense!

 

OK Here's my 2cents:
I bought my '01 used and it had 1 down in front and 2 up in rear. It was a rocket compared to my '93 (stock) and I liked the power coming out of turns, but the speedo was off 15 mph at 80 and fuel econ was 45mpg or so. I changed to stock (16?/43) when the chain worn out and I gotta say I like the bike better this way. Smoother power in low speed turns (commuting), better econ (55 or so) and the bike seems smoother on the highway. My speedo is off 9mph at 85mph (handheld gps) and 6k rpms gives me 88 mph in 6th.
My advice, go with the stock set-up.

If you want to go faster -- I demo'd a K1300s the other day and HOLY S**T that bike is fast!!! Of course for 19k it sure ought to be!!

 

I just went -1 +2 and I love it. I can't understand the complaints about too much engine rpm. The freeway is just fine for my '99. The twistys are even better.

Flip