Sprocket Replacements

Mr_RC · 10-17-2007, 5:39 PM

i'm considering changing my sprockets and chain out and I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were. The salesman I bought the bike from suggested -1 in front is all I would ever need. On the other hand I got a buddy who is -2 front and +4 rear and loves it.

what are some winning combinations people have tried? I mostly canyon carve with the RC with some daily commuting.

Thanks for the help

mab22687 · 10-18-2007, 12:18 AM

changing your sprockets changes your final drive ration which will seem like an increase in torque. since you have an rc 51 i dont know if you want anymore of that. the more you lower the front and raise the rear the less top speed you will have but more bottom end acceleration. If you do the canyon riding like you say the acceleration could be the best bet for you. Most ive seen go with -1 front and +2 rear dont forget different chains will wear out faster. i guess its all preferance. also you will probably need a speedo healer as your speedometer will be off because of the sprocket change.

skwyd · 10-18-2007, 2:16 PM

If you love torque then the RC-51 is definitely the bike for you. I love it so I am going for 15/41 combination with a 520 chain for more torque while droping weight with the chain. The RC-51 can get into the 70's(mph) in first gear with its tall gearing so lowering the gearing can make it a Duc killer in the corners.

racer46 · 10-19-2007, 7:35 AM

What is the stock gearing for the RC? I bought mine with a +4 on it already.

Motophoria · 10-25-2007, 7:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer46

What is the stock gearing for the RC? I bought mine with a +4 on it already.

Stock is 16/40

I run 15/42
World of difference
530 chain will last longer and if you're not racing, you won't notice the weight difference. Go with steel front and rear sprockets.

I got more than 20,000 miles from my stock RC chain. Will be much less with the 520 I'm running now with aluminum rear sprocket...when this one goes, I'm going back to 530 and all steel.

I've had the best luck with DID chain over RK, but that may be just me.

kelleyj · 10-25-2007, 8:50 AM

i had somnone suggest i ( i dont remember who, it was not anyone on the net) that i go -1/+4, i thought, DAMN! id never get the front end to come back in touch with the ground and any gear!

rvt1000 · 10-25-2007, 3:06 PM

-1/+4 is kinda extreme and I don't really get the point of doing that unless all you want is to live in high torque, low gears, and one wheel....

most do a -1, +2 as stated on the board.. check out this link for a great explanation about gearing on the rc51 including an excel spreasheet for calculating gearing changes...

ROGUE RC51 Common Gearing

Oh, and I had an RK 520 with -1/+2 aluminum on my F4 and it did quite well, but then again, I'm just an average rider so I don't know if the difference b/w DID VS RK really is noticable to me or even matters for that fact!

I plan on doing -1/+2 steel (last longer) with the stock chain for now and eventually going back to the 520.

Mr_RC · 10-25-2007, 3:15 PM

I did the -1/+2 conversion on my f4i and it made me fall in love with that bike again. For the RC, I think I'm going to go with a -1/+1 with a 530.

did anyone do a speedo healer?

mastashake72 · 10-27-2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motophoria

Stock is 16/40

I run 15/42
World of difference
530 chain will last longer and if you're not racing, you won't notice the weight difference. Go with steel front and rear sprockets.

I got more than 20,000 miles from my stock RC chain. Will be much less with the 520 I'm running now with aluminum rear sprocket...when this one goes, I'm going back to 530 and all steel.

I've had the best luck with DID chain over RK, but that may be just me.

Im with you. Bike had 520 on it when I got it, but I went back to 530 DID. Im not racing it and drivetrain parts are expensive. Should last longer. Also 15/42.

Chal De Cecco · 04-08-2008, 12:41 PM

After lots of research and message browsing from you guys, I am going to the 15/41 combo. I like the idea of not shortening up the bike anymore and not having to worry about the compression braking on this bike.

I have ridden 500 miles of canyons on this bike with the stock gearing and noticed the tremendous load the clutch takes with the stock gearing. Once up to speed, the stock the gearing is fine if you want to go triple digits but it's 1st and 2nd gear and 3 rd gear in the twists and turns the majority of the time.

I ride with ZX and 999 guys and they all have lowered ratios from stock, perhaps this is a gas mileage thing mandated at the factory's?.........Chal

dutchpepe · 04-09-2008, 1:52 PM

i run 15-42 with a speedohealer, runs great

rustybottoms · 04-09-2008, 3:05 PM

in terms of the speedo-healer... is it just a MPH/KPH issue, or does the gearing/chain adjustment have an effect on the odometer, as well?

taurag · 04-09-2008, 3:16 PM

found that 1 up at the rear is the safest/cheapest bet for the best of both world's. honda japan also does it. i also found that this is a good idea when you add a new exhaust or power commander to the bike 'cos you get extra horses naturally. you can go overboard if you're racing on the track, i mean, changing both sprockets that is.