Gearing /w front sprocket

Thinking back to the days of mopeds, I started considering playing around with front sprockets. I take it that the front OEM sprocket is a 15 tooth and was wondering if you guys had experience with putting a 14 tooth for a peppier in-town ride? Also wondering about putting a 16 or 17 tooth sprocket for the 5000+ mile road trip I have planned for this summer? Just thinking of gas savings with lowered highway RPMs. Any and all input would be appreciated.

 

Your 99's stock configuration is a 17 front 43 rear. Alot of guys will go up two teeth to a 45 in the rear for a little more punch. If your looking for even more get up you can run the +2 in the rear and a -1 in the front for a 16/45 setup. I haven't heard of anyone gearing up for long distance, I wouldn't want to as the bike is geared pretty high from the factory.

 

Wow, I was way off :crazy: I just recall that cruising at ~70mph the RPMs where relatively high and doing this for hours at a time would not be very good for the bike. I have been known to have weird ideas and ridiculous measures. I look into some gears off ebay. Thanks for the info

 

I found 1 down in the front made my gen 6 much more fun around town and was able to pull it up in second pretty easy as well.

 

Highway RPMs will not hurt your VFR.

 

Would a 14 tooth sprocket just be retarded and irresponsible???

 

I don't know about irresponsible, but 14 is pushing it in terms of chain kinking. You're going to be very short as well, maybe not stunt bike short, but enough to have noticably decreased your ability to have any fun in the sweepers. I went to 15 teeth in the front on a 6gen, which is only -1, and found it slightly short. I changed to a +2 rear and find that it provides good balance. The 5gens are geared higher so I would maybe start at a +3 rear and go from there if you need more.

 

If I recall correctly, mine runs around 4800 at 70, i think thats very comfortable. Any lower than that and i think the bike would lack highway passing power. I like being able to twist and go to shoot by traffic at highway speeds without having to click down a gear.