Gearing change on 8th gen..has anybody done this?

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by Honda88, May 17, 2019.

  1. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    OK, no personal experience with the VFR and changing gearing. Just posting a bunch of calculated numbers. Just so I'm clear. Thanks.
     
  2. fink

    fink Member

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    Obviously can’t read either. Yes, I’ve had personal experience of vfr with a +2 sprocket change. I’ve never changed my bike but have had a comparison with 6th gen. You had any? Dont think you have, or you would have said by now. Just to be clear.
     
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  3. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    That may be what the website says about the mph difference, but my experience
    emphatically disagrees with it. I went from 43 to 45 and it's much better to ride
    that way. Easier to pull away from a stop two-up on an uphill, easier to put up the
    in the toyhauler. Just much better all around riding. It simply doesn't feel as overgeared
    as it was.

    A very worthwhile improvement. And did nothing to the gas mileage, it's as good or
    better than it was.
     
  4. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    "Just seeing if anyone has done this. I'd love to hear someone's experience.. thinking about going 2 up on rear sprocket..."

    I'm pretty sure I can read that, the bigger issue, is that I can actually comprehend it. Just to be clear, I've forgotten more about VFR's than you will ever know. Don't talk bullshit here and expect to not get called out on it. If you don't know wtf you're talking about, ya prolly oughta wait until something pops up that you do know about, I know that might take awhile, but I can't help you with that. There is enough opinion being passed off as fact elsewhere on the internet.
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2019
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  5. fink

    fink Member

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  6. 2027Matt

    2027Matt New Member

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    I have an 8th gen. Yes the gear indicator works. First gear is more usable. Sixth gear is about I think 6,200 rpm at 70 mph - just about right. You are into the V-tech a little sooner so the acceleration is a little better. It is not a big change. I like the change. I went one less on the front sprocket which is like 2 or 3 more on the rear. You may need a longer chain going 2 up on the rear.
     
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  7. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    Gear changing is the biggest bang for the buck by far.
     
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  8. stewartj239

    stewartj239 Member

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    That is good to hear. Next winter I am planning to go +2 on the rear and add a SpeedoHealer. I did this on my 6th Gen and really liked the closer gear ratios. If the gearing indicator would be lost by the change, then I would have considered not doing it. Thanks.
     
  9. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Yes, this is just picking at nits, but you won't change the gear ratios any. You will lower the to speed in each gear and acceleration
    in each gear should be improved due to the overall lower gearing. But the difference between gears remains the same.

    I went +2 on the rear on my '99 and IMO it should have come that way from the factory. Much more practical.
     
  10. Honda88

    Honda88 New Member

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    I think im going to go ahead and do it...it sounds like a slight adjustment like +2 on the rear wont do cause the gearing to be off....my sprockets and chain have 1200 miles is there any reason to change the front sprocket too??? I was just going to throw a different rear on...
     
  11. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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  12. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Typically, I would say replace both, but because this is a kinda sorta test and you're not changing the chain, just get a rear and go for it.
    [​IMG]
     
  13. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    It will definitely affect your speedometer/odometer. Don't forget that the speedo is already reading
    5%-8% high, with a +2 in the back you'll be up around 12%-15% high. Not too big of a deal out on
    the hiway, but keeping within the speed limits in town can be an issue. And don't forget your odometer
    will now be off by the same percentage.

    I put a bicycle computer on mine to show actual speed. $20.
     
  14. 2027Matt

    2027Matt New Member

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    Just duc taped a Garmin on my 8th gen with -1 on the front sprocket. At 75 mph GPS indicated on bike is 76 mph. Seems to read +1 mph on bike consistent throughout the speed range. I did not check speed with GPS before gearing change. Either it did not affect speedometer much or it made it better.
     
  15. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Very unusual occurrence.
     
  16. Thumbs

    Thumbs Member

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    Not really the speedometer is required to read fast, the gearbox sprocket is rotating faster than previously so the increase in sprocket revolutions counters the speedo error
     
  17. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    I have gone past numerous radar speed signs in our area and my speedometer is dead on
     
  18. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Okay, you got me confused with this statement. How would the gearbox sprocket rotating faster, counter the speedo error?

    On my '99 the speedometer/odometer reading is off the countershaft (gearbox) sprocket, so if the sprocket spins faster as
    it does when you put on a smaller countershaft sprocket, or a larger rear sprocket, the speedometer thinks you're traveling
    faster, so the speedometer error is increased.

    But if your bike reads off the front wheel then your speedometer shouldn't change unless your front wheel diameter changes.

    And FWIW, in 55 years of riding Japanese motorcycles of varying makes and models, I've come across very few, if any,
    that read the correct speed. Almost all are spot on odometers, but varying degrees of accuracy on the speedometer. However
    both 70's era Triumphs I had were spot on.
     
  19. 2027Matt

    2027Matt New Member

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    I got a speedometer app for my cell phone and checked again. Speedometer on bike definitely reads 1 mph higher than the GPS speed. By increasing the gear ratio I think the speedometer should read even higher. I wish I would have checked the speedometer before I changed the gear ratio. Whatever the case, it is pretty accurate right now. The eighth gen does not have the same speed sensor as older models. I do not see a speed sensor by the countershaft sprocket.
     
  20. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    I would trust a calibrated radar system on the municipal signs before I would trust the accuracy of a third party app on a cell phone.

    The sign I see the most is directly in front of the police department!
     
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