6th Gen - Will Stock Chain Accommodate a +2 Rear Sprocket?

When I bought my first 6th Gen back in 2007, I went +1 on the rear when the bike was new. I remember that the larger sprocket barely went on with the new chain at 0 miles. My current bike has 3K miles so the chain should not be as tight as new. I'd like to add a +2 rear sprocket this time (leaving the front sprocket stock). Does anyone know if the stock chain will work or will I need to add a link? Thanks.

 

Whats the reason for adding two teeth? Better mileage?

 

Generally, going up in the rear and/or down in the front is to improve low end performance. Mileage will actually go down (higher revs at lower speeds) and you lose top speed, but it's faster off the line.

 

Rather have better milage. Unless you like leaving lights like a drag bike......JMO.....thanks

 

I changed to a 45 tooth on my '99 a couple years ago. I get as good, or better, mileage now as I did before the change. This summer I did a run down to Arkansas, and running 65-75 mph I got over 50 mpg. And that wasn't a fluke, I got that kind of mileage consistently the whole weekend.

So I don't consider it much of a downside, and it makes it much easier to load in my toyhauler. And it's easier on the clutch in stop-and-go traffic.

With a 17 tooth countershaft sprocket and the 45 tooth rear, I used the stock chain.

 

Cool....have 23000 on my chain and stock sprockets. ...they still look great....oil chain weekly.....haven't had a bike for 10 years before buying this VFR... no
wheelies...only adjusted twice...how long do chains last?. Its a..2002....

 

Mine usually last a bit over 20,000 miles, or a bit under. Just depends on how conscientious I was with lubing them. At nearly 40,000 miles I'm still running the stock countershaft sprocket, and the 45 tooth I put on replaced the stock sprocket that is still good and had 35,000 miles. I use DID mid priced 530 X-ring chain.

And of course, literally, YMMV. irate:

 

Cool ...thanks

 

No. I'm looking to close the gap between the gears. I think the stock gearing on the 6th Gen is too high. I'm willing to sacrifice speed for quickness.

Exactly.

I think the 5th Gen was 17/43? I owned one before my first 6th Gen but I don't remember. If so, you went +2 in the rear with the stock chain?

 

Yes, I'm running the stock 17 tooth countershaft, and I went from the 43 to the 45, with the stock chain.

 

Excellent. Chances are it will fit. I'll post back the results once I have it done.

 

Stock '07 sprockets, 16/43 - 3408RPM in 6th gear. 17/45 combo - 3357RPM in 6th (figures from gearingcommander.com). I've been running 17/45 combo with 520 stock length chain for over a year now & I like this setup. Just FYI ...

ACE

 

Good to know Carl

 

Just as a follow up, I got the 45T rear sprocket installed with the stock chain and stock 16T front sprocket. The last time I did this was back in early '07 when I installed a 44T and I think that what I did was put the new sprocket on then put the chain on like you would do with a bicycle chain, which is why I think I had so much trouble. When the nuts come off the mounting bolts, the bolts can be pushed out the back which takes care of this problem. I don't remember knowing about or doing that the first time around, so yes, I felt like an idiot when I saw that. Anyhow, there is plenty of slack to go with an even larger sprocket.

 

a couple of comments. by adding a larger sprocket to the stock chain, you have in effect shortened the wheelbase and lowered the rear by about a 1/4 to a 1/2 inch each. the shortening of the wheelbase generally will result in sharper handling and more tendency to wheelie. the lowering of the rear, may or may not be negligible. as far as the lowering the top speed, no. 6th gear is an overdrive gear, with a theoretical top speed of 178 in real life or about 185 indicated.... guess what, your not touching that top speed, not even with a plus 2 rear, are you going to come close to maxing out sixth gear, so no, a 2 plus to rear sprocket will not lower your top speed. it will add a few hundred revs on the highway, but thats it.

 

Yes, I am good with that. The setup with the 44T was great, so I'm expecting this to be a little better.

What type of gearing change would it take to see top speed being affected? I imagine there must be a threshold.

 

I ran one down three up for a little while. If you had a really really long stretch of open road, closed course , It would show about 182 mph indicated and would be just about at the limiter. This is around 155 actual speed and is the same as most have reported for actual top speed. I would say this is the threshold.

 

I don't know if I will ever change the gearing far enough then to affect top speed. This is good info. Thanks.

 

When you turn the axle bearing holder to loosen the chain, you can clearly see that. You've now got me wondering if I should be lowering the forks just a bit to accommodate.

 

I never noticed any change in the handling of my bike when I changed out the rear sprocket to the 45 tooth.

Unless you're doing regular track days, I really doubt you'll notice much, if any, difference.