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I have read some forums regarding the increase of teeth (15 to a 16) on the front sprocket to drop the rpm at speed, my mechanic recommends changing the rear sprocket, I am looking to run 5000 rpm @ 125 kms (75 mph) for some high speed touring, any info would be appreciated, the bike is used mostly on the highway. regards Maurice

I would highly recommend the front sprocket change to 16 teeth. It will drop your RPMs and correct the built in speedometer error. The bike won't pull quite as hard off the line or when passing, but it will make 1st and 2nd gears more usable (you won't be in such a hurry to up-shift). This is a popular mod, and very in-expensive. Less than $25 for the sprocket and you can do it yourself in under an hour. With the larger front sprocket, bike rides real nice a highway speeds.

thanks for the info, i will give it a go, Maurice

Interesting that your mechanic said you should change the rear sprocket and not the front.
I have not done it, but Kris is correct that the front sprocket is a popular mod that quite a few on this site have done.
I'd stick to the front knowing that others have done it, and have all been happy with the result.

Cheers. BB

There are some on here that have gone up two, to a 17 on the front sprocket. I went up to a 16 and think it should have come stock that way, but if I did mostly highway driving I would go up to a 17. The sprockets are under $20.00 so I'd just order both. I'd put the 17 on first and if you find it a little sluggish swap it out for the 16. Best mod you'll do for this bike!

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So I'm curious with all this talk about sprocket change, why does the bike come stock with the 15?

After talking to him again about this , he suggested to change the front to a 16 to level out the speedo error and then change the rear down 2 teeth, $40 for the rear, this will give me rpm that i am looking for at touring speeds, I am not looking for a reving machine... this should also leave adjustment room for the rear axel and chain, 1 tooth up front equals 2 off the rear., dont know what this will do to the speedo but i use a gps which gives me a speed readout anyway.

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I'm not interested in "off the line" acceleration.
I do plan to learn skills needed to ride twisties competently/smoothly.
I do hope to do some long-distance touring.
I'm thinking 17-tooth front sprocket would be good choice.
Is my thinking correct?

I have been running a 17 tooth front sprocket for the last 2000km, running at 110kph bike is doing just a tad under 5000rpm and feels a lot more relaxed when doing some distance running. But remember that speed showing on the speedo will now be showing less than actual speed, I also feel that it makes 1st and 2nd gear more useful, and if you get on it, it dosn't feel any slowerin acceleration. Possibly is but feels to me just as strong.

regards Bob.

Thanks, Bob! With 17 teeth, is actual speed approx 5 kph greater than indicated?

Actual speed is approx 2 to 3 percent higher than shown on the speedo.

regards. Bob.

Understood, and no biggy then. Thanks, again.