Motorcycle Sprockets
Changing you motorcycles sprockets can have dramatic effects on the performance of your motorcycle. Gear ratios can be changed by using sprockets with a different number of teeth from your stock settings. The equation for figuring out your gear ratio is as follows. Take the number of teeth on your rear sprocket and divide it by the number of teeth on your front motorcycle sprocket. The answer will be equal to how many times the front sprocket turns for every one revolution of the rear sprocket. If you change the ratio so your front sprocket turns faster it will cause your bike to rev higher.
You also want to be aware that changing your gear ratio will in effect also change the length of your motorcycle. This is important because it means when you change your gearing, you also need to adjust your chain or possibly get a longer chain depending on your changes. This isn't the only aspect of your motorcycle that will change however.
A change in the length of your bike can also mean a change in performance because a shorter motorcycle turns easier, and, conversely a longer motorcycle has more stability at speed. Changing your motorcycles gearing can be a lot of fun and lets you find out what your motorcycle is capable of. However, it is important that you consider your goals before making a change like this and always consult your owners manual for motorcycle specific details.
The chart below contains gear ratio combinations. The top row represents the number of teeth for a front sprocket and the far left column represents the number of teeth on a rear motorcycle sprocket. When you meet the two in the middle you will come to the gear ratio.
|
Gear Ratios - Motorcycle Front/Rear Sprocket Combinations |
|
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
| 52 |
4.72 |
4.33 |
4.00 |
3.71 |
3.46 |
3.25 |
3.05 |
2.88 |
2.73 |
| 51 |
4.63 |
4.25 |
3.92 |
3.64 |
3.40 |
3.18 |
3.00 |
2.83 |
2.68 |
| 50 |
4.54 |
4.16 |
3.84 |
3.57 |
3.33 |
3.12 |
2.94 |
2.77 |
2.63 |
| 49 |
4.45 |
4.08 |
3.76 |
3.50 |
3.27 |
3.06 |
2.88 |
2.72 |
2.58 |
| 48 |
4.36 |
4.00 |
3.69 |
3.43 |
3.20 |
3.00 |
2.82 |
2.67 |
2.53 |
| 47 |
4.27 |
3.91 |
3.61 |
3.36 |
3.13 |
2.94 |
2.76 |
2.61 |
2.47 |
| 46 |
4.18 |
3.83 |
3.54 |
3.29 |
3.07 |
2.88 |
2.71 |
2.56 |
2.42 |
| 45 |
4.09 |
3.75 |
3.46 |
3.21 |
3.00 |
2.81 |
2.65 |
2.50 |
2.37 |
| 44 |
4.00 |
3.67 |
3.38 |
3.14 |
2.93 |
2.75 |
2.59 |
2.44 |
2.32 |
| 43 |
3.91 |
3.58 |
3.31 |
3.07 |
2.87 |
2.69 |
2.53 |
2.39 |
2.26 |
| 42 |
3.81 |
3.50 |
3.23 |
3.00 |
2.80 |
2.63 |
2.47 |
2.33 |
2.21 |
| 41 |
3.73 |
3.42 |
3.15 |
2.93 |
2.73 |
2.56 |
2.41 |
2.28 |
2.16 |
| 40 |
3.64 |
3.33 |
3.08 |
2.86 |
2.67 |
2.50 |
2.35 |
2.22 |
2.11 |
