Gearing Down for the Street? - Ducati.ms

breakdown · Jul 15th, 2008, 6:57 pm

I'm finding the stock gearing to be a bit high for street use. I'm using the first three gears a lot and using fourth a bit too. I'm hardly using 5th and I don't even think I've been in 6th gear yet.

What do you guys recommend for gearing for the street? Should I go down one in the front? I like that option since it's nice a cheap. I'm just concerned that it might lower the gearing too much. Should I go up two in the rear instead? If I go this route, I'll probably do the entire 520 conversion.

blitzenduden · Jul 15th, 2008, 7:17 pm

My dealer usually gears down at the rear sproket. He does this for both the Hyper and the 848.

I think it is a two tooth increase at the rear. I wouldn't do the front, too dramatic a change.

I'll find out for sure on the up.

GMP · Jul 15th, 2008, 8:01 pm

Two up in the rear would be perfect, but the 14t DP countershaft sprocket is cheap, a big improvement, and fine until you need a chain. Then get a 520 kit with an AFAM quick change carrier and go 15/44 with a bigger choice in sprockets. My milage got no worse(maybe better), eaiser on the clutch, and at 70 MPH in sixth I'm at about 4500 RPM. Perfect for urban assault and NJ highways.

breakdown · Jul 15th, 2008, 8:20 pm

Was the performance increase from the 520 conversion noticeable?

GMP · Jul 15th, 2008, 8:26 pm

Sorry I phrased that post a little misleading, but I have the 14t DP sprocket. I plan to get the AFAM setup when its time for a chain. I'm not looking for the ultimate power advantage as I just ride street, but after the initial investment in the carrier, future replacements will be a lot cheaper. 14/42 is like 15/45, so a 44 is only like one tooth difference.

ducatichick · Jul 16th, 2008, 3:04 pm

For the street, I went to 14T in front and am very happy with it.

Next weekend I'm heading to Pacific Raceways for a track day (Seattle 100).

Anyone have any gearing recommendations for this track? Yeah, I know it depends on lap times and I've never been there, but...I'm guessing I should put the 15T front back on for the day.

dukepilot · Jul 16th, 2008, 3:32 pm

15/44 combo works great for me. With the 520 conversion/RK chain, rolling resistance is reduced. I noticed this just by pushing the bike around. I'm running a Supersprox on the rear and an AFM C/S sprocket.

scooter · Jul 16th, 2008, 10:40 pm

One of the first mods I did on my GT was a 14T DP sprocket. Great bang for the buck and the bike really needed it, especially in slow, technical mountain switchbacks. With the stock gearing I found myself looking for 1st gear in some of the really tight corners.

I've put about 800 miles on the Hyper and, so far, it's not screaming for a gearing change like the GT. It may be geared a tad high for me, but the same switchbacks that saw me hunting for 1st gear on the GT are really effortless with the Hyper's stock gearing.

I'll probably move to a 44 tooth rear sprocket at some point because it's still great bang for the buck, but I think I may just wait until I can justify the full 520 conversion.

Motard-Menace · Jul 16th, 2008, 11:01 pm

I'll cast my vote for the front 14T DP Sprocket also. A great mod for $50 bucks, makes 2nd gear more usable and I too have not noticed much of a big difference on the highway. Eventually once the chain goes I most likely would do the 520 conversion then.

ColaGuy · Jul 17th, 2008, 6:06 pm

I also went town 1 tooth in front. I'm very pleased with it, first is a bit short, but overall I very much like the lower punch. I've always thought Ducati's came geared too tall (except for my ST3 which i like a bit taller for highway riding). Makes 3rd gear wheelies the norm.

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