5th gen sprocket change?

Got a 2000 VFR, thinking of going -1 in front and +2 in back. Anyone else here done that? Any comments? Trying to get more low end torque without screwing up my commuting.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Tim

 

By going -1 in front and +2 in back you will have made a similar change to going +5 in the back. The effect of this? You won't increase low end torque or horsepower as this can only be done with engine mods. You will however have improved accelleration and be able to more effectively use the bikes power at lower speeds. This change also increases the rpms at highway speeds. For example, I went +2 on the back on mine and at 60 mph, I was pulling almost 6k rpm, at 70 mph, I was pulling 7K rpm. While I am sure the engine could tolerate it, it was more rpm than I cared for at cruising speed. Another factor to consider is that it will throw the indicated speed off on the speedo. Stock gearing, I was pulling about 4500 rpm at 55 mph. After the change, it was more like 5200 rpm at 55 mph. You would need a speedo healer to correct form the difference. A sprocket change is the easiest way to make the power of the bike more useable. Oh, one more thing, and this may nto be an issue for you, you will probably see a decrease in mpg. I went from 50 mpg to somewhere in the low 40's.

 

Vinny:

Thanks so much...this kind of "been there, done that" info is priceless to me. Yes, I get what you mean about using existing torque/hp more efficiently rather than producing more of same...too much abbreviation in my original post, I'm not looking to create new energy from two sprockets and a new chain LOL

Now, my original post comes from the fact that I emailed Sum of All Parts and they recommended "-1/+2" - but given your experience, would you suggest instead going -1 in front and +1 in rear...or just do the -1 in front?....or? I don't mind a slight drop in mpg, don't mind eventually getting a speedo healer (and having the indicated speed off until then).

As I'm riding a lot of twisties with ZX-10R riders while still wanting to commute on the bike, I'm trying to optimize power delivery for both purposes, as best I can.

Thanks again.

Tim

 

Going - 1 in front is easier and less expensive since a front sprocket costs less. But if you are replacing both the sprockets and the chain, then going -1 up front or +2 on the rear is apersonal choice as the result is almost the same as far as the gear ratio is concerned. When I did mine, I went +2 on the back. A short time later I did the -1 on the front, but went back to the original number fo teeth as I was not comfortable with that gear ratio. Like I said, personal choice. Which ever you do, I recomend the speedo healer regardless since the change will throw the indicated speed off.

 

I'm with Vinny on this one all the way. Both of my fifth gen bike arrived down one on the counter shaft and while it made wheelies easier, perhaps too easy, it screwed up the rythm of the bike at highway speeds. Not to mention the error it induced in the speedo. For me, stock is best.

 

Sproket change

After reading all of your mods on sproket changes i thought i would let you know what mine are like. I just put on a 16th front which is -1 and left the rear at stock, but the rpms haven't changed at all. With the stock set up i would pull 6500 rpms at 80 and with the new set-up it hasn't changedits still 6500 at 80. I thought it should be a bit higher on the rpms? Wierd huh? oh and i have an 01. I also set up a Sigma bc800 bike computer for bicycles that i had on my previous motorcycle and it shows only a couple of mph lower from speedo readout. The sigma bc800 goes up to 180mph btw.

Just my 2 cents

Jason

 

The difference is instead of going 75 when indicating 80 (stock) you are now going about 68 while indicating 80. Rpms say the same because you havent gotten a speedohealer.

 

You won't see the difference since the speedo is driven off the counter shaft sprocket (basically 1:1, you only changed the distance the chain travels, not how fast the little plastic gear that goes on the sprocket bolt turns, :thumb, so it will appear to be the same. But I bet seat of the pants feels a bit off. I know it did on mine. It just did not feel like I was going the indicated speed.

 

Hi sprocket guys; I am listening to some of the comments on gear teeth selections and I have a stock set up that soon will need replacement. Anyway my fifth gen. first gear seems a bit high,you know somewhat dificult to pull out on. So I was thinking of a +2 on the rear and keeping the front the orig. number of teeth. Has anyone tried this combination? Also how do you caluulate the number of links you will need when doing this type of change. The endless chain is concerning me ,its not like if it dosent fit you keep cutting links until the chain is correct. Also what company would be good for buying replacement gears and chains,anyone have a preference for chain manufacturers?

 

Addendum to above post, Does anyone know the number of teeth that are on the front and rear sprockets on a 2000 VFR? tks eddie

 

Hi Reg 71, Thanks for your input on sprocket sizes , I am going to get in touch with RK in the near future. eddie

 

Timwat,

If you are not sick of answers, read on. I swapped out the contershaft sprocket by one tooth doen on my SV650, bike number 6. The change in the carachter of the pwer was more than I wanted. It had not effect on the speedo as it was driven off the front wheel. Having that expereince, I love my gen 5, bike number 7, the way it is and will not change it. Spend the money on a K$N filter or some other goodies.

More Confucius, "Man who walk in middle of road get hit going both ways."

 

Hi Guys; I just ordered a 45 tooth rear sprocket(+2) and a 17 tooth front
( which is stock ) and a DID erv chain. I havent installed them yet however I have always liked slightly lower gearing in my bikes one for the acceleration and two for the extra power that the bike has, less shifting is required and thirdly I seldom get into the 140-150 MPH range so I dont really regret the loss of a little top end. eddie

 

went to a 16 on the front of my 00, and a 15 on my 05..very nice improvement. better tractability in first gear, a few lengths quicker, front end comes up nice just with throttle, same or better top end as can now pull full rpm in top gear.. very minor change in mileage for the few rpm diff..They should have come with this gearing.
Best thing I have done to them .

better would be + up on the rear next time..

 

I have to agree completely. I just did the 16 on my '99, I am very impressed with the result. Very nice on the bottom, and rollon feels better in the upper gears. Be careful hitting second at wide open the first few times! Front wheel comes right up.

The nice thing about sprocket changes is that's it's easy to change back. I had a 919 I changed and didn't like the result, but the VFR feels perfect.

 

I tried the 16 on my '00 for a month, and just went back the to stocker. I missed the smoothness and relaxed feel on the highway - too bad I can't just change the 1st and 2nd gear ratios to that of the 6th gen.