[bhd1223]

When i return from my deployment I am going to be getting new tires and possibly changing the sprockets. I plan on michelin pilot powers in 120/65 front 150/60 rear. From what i have gathered to stock sprocket gearing is 16/41 for my '03. I was thinking of going maybe 1 or 2 teeth up on the rear or dropping 1 tooth on the front. Would it even be worth it? I've been looking at this spreadsheet someone made and it almost doesn't seem worth it. Would the acceleration difference be noticable? I would still like to be able to do aprox 120+mph and all of those combos keep me at that. From looking at this spreadsheet and playing with some number it looks like the 16/43 combo would suit what i am looking for but i'm not sure if i would even be able to notice a difference to make it worth it. The 15/41 gives me what i look for but alot closer to redline(11k). I'm having a hard time deciding. I'm sure droping a tooth up front would be noticable but i'm hesitent because of the reading i've done it says that it will wear out the chain alot quicker. Would it really be that bad? Just looking for some input here from the experts. Thanks.

 

[Frog]

if you want to keep steady 120+ mph I'd suggest to get a bigger bike as this is the top end for a top shape 500 in close to perfection conditions.

If you want to have better acceleration, you will have to give up some top end speed..

 

[bhd1223]

I don't want to keep a steady 120+. Just able to do 120+ on occasion if needed, not that it's ever "needed." Looking at number it seems that a 15/41 setup(-1 f) would make me able to still hit 125 around 11k if the bike would be able to pull to that. Would dropping a tooth up front really make the chain wear out alot quicker? Would a single tooth up front make that much difference in acceleration? I bring up the top speed as a reference also to standard highway cruising 70-80mph. The rpm will still be low enough in 6th to keep me happy at the regular highway speeds. Basicly i don't want the bike to barely be able to break 100 and be sitting around 10k at 80.

 

[knightslugger]

in a perfect world with perfect conditions, the ex will do 120... with a 3rd grade Ethiopian rider. You're dreaming if you think the bike is going to be able to pull you up to 120 on a -1/+2 change. if you're just looking for acceleration, the change up front or in back (not both, but more so even still) is enough to get you to take notice. this is not a bike designed for top speed. you'll end up breaking something if you wind the motor out to 11k at every shift or keep it there. You'll spin the bearings right out of their holes. keep it under 10k and under 100 and you'll be fine. 120 doesn't feel (or look) much different than 100.

I'm not sure how long you've been on two wheels on the street, but anything over 80 i discourage.

 

[bhd1223]

Well I guess I will start using "highway speed rpms" instead of max possible speed when referencing any such changes. I have only been riding on the street for maybe 5 months due to alaska's short summers and the fact i'm currently sitting in Iraq. I have ridden numerous other motorcycles the most notable for me being a ducati 748 and gsx-r750. I never brought either of those over 100 although both are very capable. I don't think i ever hit full throttle on either as well. You could say i have a respect for the power they have with my lack of experience. I found it very helpful to ride other bikes so I know the way different things affect the different bikes and how the wider less round tires affect turn in and such. I have only had my ninja over 100 once and brought it up to indicated 125 so i'm guessing around 110 actual? It was more than fast enough and most likely i will never do it again on the street. I had to once though. No cars were around and it was on a very secluded part of an alaskan highway and i felt comfortable riskin myself to do it once. It would have gone faster but i backed off. One could say i gave up my "drive fast and race on the streets" when i gave up cars and street racing and the like. I just wish there was a track in alaska I could take the bike. The only things around are a dirt track and a dragstrip. Go figure. But ya.

From looking at the gearing on that spreadsheet and engine rpms at various speeds it appears i would want to -1f sprocket. From what you say that will be noticable. Will it make the thing rediculous in low gears? Will it actually want to pull up in 1st or 2nd? Unlike now when you can just full throttle and it doesn't even try to pull up the front? Will it just have alittle more snap and acceleration?

 

[sevencyrus]

go 15/42or43 but stay 16/41 if you want to ride at "120"

 

[bhd1223]

So you think 15/41 is too low if i plan on riding at an indicated maximum of 100? Based of the rpms that spreadsheet gave i appears to be fine. I don't ever need to do 120 and from what i read in the past i think be people who race go even lower. I could be mixing up numbers with all the sprocket changes people do on the drz i plan on getting as well. My avg speed will most likely be around 50mph. Stuck riding around at 15-35 when on base and at a max 50-55 in and around the city. Out on the highway which i usually don't frequent for more than 10-15miles I will usually be driving at an indicated 70-80 with maybe an occasional jaunt to indicated 100. I feel like the -1f should give me ample umph as far as a gain in acceleration without going to far and still making highway speeds managable and below 7k rpms.

 

[knightslugger]

-1 up front will be fine. depending on how you're seated, it may want to come up. i've gotten the front wheel off the ground with stock gearing before, but i was really, really trying hard.

if you don't like it, you can always switch back and do up the rear instead... though the effect will be the same.

 

[hollywood]

You gotta want it!!!

 

[bhd1223]

Want what? To lift the front end? I'm actually happy not being able to. I truely have no desire to wheelie. I'm assuming the stock size chain(#520 104 link) would work fine with just -1f. There is this company i've been looking at sprockets through for the drz i plan on buying but i don't think they make any for streetbikes. Anyone want to recommend a brand?

 

[scoobywrx05]

Go -1 in the front and maybe even +1 or 2 in the back. I live in the country where all are roads are just wide enough to fit 2 cars side by side. Most of the roads I ride on are 45 to 55 mph roads. Needless to say I hardly ever use 6th gear. My bike is stock gearing for a 94(16 and 42).I'm going to change my gearing before I ride this summer. As in spockets, I think you get what you pay for,for the most part,then some of them your just paying for the name. Hope this helps you out in some way. Some of the other guys on here will be able to give you a better idea on which sprockets to get.

 

[bhd1223]

Since rudeness doesn't apply anymore....sorry!

 

[smithmax]

I would strongly suggest getting steel sprockets! As for top end, and I've mentioned this before, I run a 15/42 set up on a P.O.S. '97 500 and can hit 120mph. The bike does not need to be new/perfectly tuned to do that.

 

[bhd1223]

I was wondering more of a brand than a material for the sprockets.

 

[smithmax]

Vortex and Sprocket Specialist are both great brands. Sprocket Specialist make an excellent steel rear sprocket in a wide range of teeth.

 

[scoobywrx05]

Don't talk to me about DRZ's here. I have a forum on that and i already have my plans for it. This forum is for ex500's. I wasn't asking anything about a DRZ. I was just stating that there is a company who makes excellent sprockets for them but they don't make any for street bikes. I'm asking about recommendation for sprockets as far as quality and strength go.

There,,, is that better(look at my last post). Just trying to help, I figured if you where asking about the gearing for the ex and YOU brought up that you where going to get a drz maybe you had questions about that to, but since you have got it all figured out then you won't need any input from me. Sorry to have wasted your time(as well as mine)

 

[bhd1223]

Sorry if I sounded like an ass. It was just a bad day in the Box. I just come on here for ex500 related ****. I spend plenty of my off time on TT for the dr-z. Usually people don't like cross talking about certain things on forums not for them. Also I refuse to get an E model as I've already posted there because I could end up somehwere else that it would not be able to be street legal regardless of whatever kit. Hence i get the S. Since I don't really have a say or know where I will be going next(military) and it could change at any minute I have to get something that I know will be street legal in every state. Enough of that though.

I'm looking at sprocket specialists now and it seems like you can't get a rear in the stock size. They only offer 42 and 45 rears. Stock is 41 for my 03. Dilema?

 

[Lucky#13]

Hey man , you can talk about anything here . What evers on your mind within reason is OK . Just post it in its proper section. We're just a big happy family (mostly). :

 

[maverick9611]

ok the soap opera is over....lol still looking for a 15 tooth

 

[Lucky#13]

I seen a 15 tooth woman at the bike bar today.... will that do