14-05-14, 10:35 PM
I'm in the opposite camp - every Honda/Kwakiutl/Suzuki AND Yamaha road bike that I've had, has needed a larger front sprocket (usually 1 extra tooth) and on most I've also ended up with a smaller rear sprocket - mainly because they could all comfortably pull it.
My KH 250 back in 1978 was the best example - it would scream to the redline in top gear everywhere, even uphill, and it always ran out of revs before drag stooped it from going faster - I went up 1 tooth on the front and down 3 teeth on the back with that bike and got a decent jump in top speed - enough to shock a Honda 400/4 that couldn't catch me
My Aprilia is the opposite, for road use in the UK I use a 1 tooth smaller front sprocket (gives a slightly more useable speed range for 6th gear and I can trickle along a bit better in first using the clutch a bit less at really low speed) - but for track use, the standard front sprocket is better suited IMHO.
My KH 250 back in 1978 was the best example - it would scream to the redline in top gear everywhere, even uphill, and it always ran out of revs before drag stooped it from going faster - I went up 1 tooth on the front and down 3 teeth on the back with that bike and got a decent jump in top speed - enough to shock a Honda 400/4 that couldn't catch me
My Aprilia is the opposite, for road use in the UK I use a 1 tooth smaller front sprocket (gives a slightly more useable speed range for 6th gear and I can trickle along a bit better in first using the clutch a bit less at really low speed) - but for track use, the standard front sprocket is better suited IMHO.