Verdict on downgearing

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hi peeps!

As some of you may know, my bike went in for an MoT on tuesday, and I also had a new chain and sprockets fitted. The rear sprocket I had fitted was in fact 5 teeth larger than the OE rear sprocket. I would have gone down tooth at the front, but apparently this means that the chain would eat into the swingarm.

I just want to say that its fantastic! The bike feels so much more responsive and revvy, yet at the same time it has become a lot easier to pootle along in 30mph. Previously the bike was either revving quite hard in first or just about ticking over in second at 30mph. Now second gear is the ideal gear for this speed. When you twist the throttle, it takes off like an absolute rocket and has just added that edge that seemed to be lacking from the acceleration of a 955cc bike. Throttle twist now equals Shocked

!

I am convinced that the Daytona 955i (and to an even greater extent the Speed Triple) is overgeared as standard. You'd have thought a bike with 70ft-lb of torque at 6000rpm would wheelie easily; It didn't, but now it does! Very Happy

I also had my rear wheel bearings changed. I am actually shocked at the difference this has made. The rear of the bike feels much more planted and never feels like it will step out, despite the inclement weather and the low gearing! This better handling feel might also be to do with the fact that the fork seals were replaced; one of them was leaking badly.

The only downside is that it cost £££'s to get done because the mechanic had trouble with various seized parts and chains that were too short etc.

Even so; I'm a happy Bunny! Very Happy

____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Korn · Admin Joined: 01 Feb 2002 Karma :

Downgearing your bike's great. I had my VTR geared for 140mph (2 down 4 up), the standard gearing on 'em is 175. Let me tell you a story...

Pulled off a set of lights on a dead straight dual carrigeway one morning, it shot straight up as usual. Click into second, road looks empty, might as well keep it up. Click into third. Oooo this is cool. Fourth. Fifth. Bloody hell, it's not coming down. Click, sixth. Holy fuck, this has turned out well. Bang bang bang bang, front wheel goes down, that was the limiter. In sixth Shocked

____________________
3516 Miles, 11 Countries

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

I'm going to do the CBR soon enough (kinda needs a new chain but not urgent), but I don't want my speedo to mis-read really - anyone know where I can get a yellow box thingy from?

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

I have the advantage that my bike's speedo is driven from the front wheel, not the gearbox sprocket!

I think that G wants to use his yellow box on his R6 maybe... He was talking about using it the other day. Smile

____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

I'm gonna do mine properly before summer. Should be fun, just don't know what to take up and down yet
____________________
Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

From what I've heard the cheapest place to get a yellow box is straight from Black Robotics, despite the fact that they are based in Oz. The delivery times are meant to be really good too.
____________________
Gallery

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

They're priced in weak US dollars... result. Thumbs Up

John · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Apr 2003 Karma :

You sound pleased, to say the least. Smile

I think the VFR is going to have to be downgeared, maybe to 115mph or so. Smile

Currently first gear lasts about 35 minutes. Very Happy

____________________
TT600 neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeowwww!

Luke_Retrofly · Silly Lesbian Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Karma :

Hi
I had my VFR downgeard which made it 10x better. My R6 is downgeared too, 2 up 2 down AFAIK. Makes the bikes fantastic. All the mags say that the best way to improve a bike is change the gearing, its cheep and does wonders. Beter than forking out for internals or full race system.

Luke verdict = a must for evry sports bike.

Luke
____________________
Flounced - Long overdue
Fuck you bitch I'm in the top 10 list I can do the what the fuck I want!