YZ426 gearing

[shabbdaddy]

I have a 2001 YZ426f and the guy I bought it from put ona 49 tooth rear sprocket and a stock front sprocket. He also put a 13 oz flywheel wt on. I am considering changing it back to the 53 tooth because I will be mainly riding single track. I have ridden it with the 49 but I have to use the clutch alot for the tight technical stuff. Does anyone have any recommedations? Should I leave the 49 or switch to the 53. Thanks!

[Way Fast Whitey]

if you want top end, keep the gearing, if you mostly do tight stuff, put the 53 on. it'll give you better throttle control in the woods or single track.

[00YZ426FMRCD]

I run a 14/52 with no flywheel weight and it works good for the tight stuff. Some people like leaving the rear sprocket stock (49) and going with a smaller front sprocket. (This way you can quickly change the gearing by swapping the front sprockets)

This is a good idea but I have found that a smaller front sprocket wears much quicker which in turn, will put more wear and stress on the chain.

My .02

[shabbdaddy]

Thanks for all your help. I think I will try the 53 in the rear since I have it. Hopefully it helps a little.

[Crabtree426]

49 and 14 is stock. 53 would be a good choice for tight stuff or go down a tooth in the front.

I have a 12 oz flywheel weight on my 2000 and just recently changed the stock gearing to a 51 rear. I noticed no diffrence in tight single track. I also use the heck out of my clutch.

I just put a 13 front on but have not ridden it yet. I also got a 12 to play around with, all though I think that might be a bit to much.

How do you like the flywheel weight? Did you put it on or did you buy the bike with it?

[913YZ426MXer]

13/52 = Fast

1st gear - FUN!

2nd gear - Fun!

3rd gear - Better hold on!

4th gear - See 3rd gear

5th gear - Not sure its there.

This change was from the stock 14/49. I saw a substantial difference in the low end (obviously) with a limited top end. (Hence the gearing ratio)

Cheers.

[RogerDedrick]

13/52 = Fast

1st gear - FUN!

2nd gear - Fun!

3rd gear - Better hold on!

4th gear - See 3rd gear

5th gear - Not sure its there.

This change was from the stock 14/49. I saw a substantial difference in the low end (obviously) with a limited top end. (Hence the gearing ratio)

Cheers.

Over the last three years I have tried a 13 and 14 on the front as well as 50,51,52 on the rear. I am presently running a 13/50 combo. It is close but I am going to try the 13/51 again. Most of my riding is fairly tight and I would like to keep it 2nd a little more and slip the clutch a little less coming out of the tight corners. with the 13/50 the top end is limited. It is real bad with the 13/52. If it is Harescrambles with a lot of high speed areas the 14/52 works fine.

I am running a 14oz flywheel weight.

[Crabtree426]

I like the 14/52 set-up myself. As far as a flywheel weight, I still haven't made a decision after about 6 months of looking at them. I see a lot of peole that are happy with them but I'm worried about the fun factor?.

[RogerDedrick]

I like the 14/52 set-up myself. As far as a flywheel weight, I still haven't made a decision after about 6 months of looking at them. I see a lot of peole that are happy with them but I'm worried about the fun factor?.

If spinning harder(roosting) and stalling easier is fun then don't get one. But if fun is hooking and pulling harder out of turns spinning less on technical hillclimbs and tractoring over them then a flywheel weight might be for you. I have ridden my bike and a stock bike back to back. Mine hooks up better so it feels like it pulls harder. that seems fun to me. And it dosn't stall nearly as much. It won't slow your bike down.

[Crabtree426]

If spinning harder(roosting) and stalling easier is fun then don't get one. But if fun is hooking and pulling harder out of turns spinning less on technical hillclimbs and tractoring over them then a flywheel weight might be for you. I have ridden my bike and a stock bike back to back. Mine hooks up better so it feels like it pulls harder. that seems fun to me. And it dosn't stall nearly as much. It won't slow your bike down.

Although I don't typically ride a ton of tight trails, it sucks when I do. I'm all over my clutch. Does the centrifical force of the weight make a huge difference in how much clutch use (lack of) you have in really tight single track? I've been thinking of getting a 12oz. steahly.

[RogerDedrick]

The flywheel weight will make it far more forgiving against stalling on tight trails

[creek freak]

13/52 = Fast

1st gear - FUN!

2nd gear - Fun!

3rd gear - Better hold on!?

4th gear - See 3rd gear

5th gear - Not sure its there.

This change was from the stock 14/49. I saw a substantial difference in the low end (obviously) with a limited top end. (Hence the gearing ratio)

Cheers.

I have the same gears and you sum it up well. 3rd and 4th wheelies are a hoot with this gearing. Good gearing for the open woods, even without any extra flywheel weight.

[Crabtree426]

Well I finally got out and tested out my new gearing.

13/51

Wow ? what a difference. It was like riding a new bike. Took a few to get use to. My buddy got a good laugh when I stalled flying over a log and abruptly went over the handlbars into the bushes.

It will take some getting use too, but man it was fun and a lot less work in tight stuff. ??

That's good to hear. Hopefully the bushes didn't have thorns.

[fast426]

Well I finally got out and tested out my new gearing.

13/51

Wow ? what a difference. It was like riding a new bike. Took a few to get use to. My buddy got a good laugh when I stalled flying over a log and abruptly went over the handlbars into the bushes.

It will take some getting use too, but man it was fun and a lot less work in tight stuff. ??

Just counted mine and I guess I'm 13/52, so we're pretty close . I could'nt remember for sure. Seems like a reall good combo for the woods. BTW I too did a log catapult today. When these things stall they definitly STALL. Just don't do a third gear stall on ice covered in mud (don't ask)?

[kbenzon]

i run the 13/51 in the tight stuff too. in fact that is what is on my bike right now. i dont think bumping up from your 49 tooth will help you with your clutching though. are you doing a lot of technical riding or vertical climbs? i am just trying to understand the need for so much clutch with these bikes. try dragging your brake the next time you feel the urge to clutch. it sounds like you are using it every time you slow down. am i right? this bike doesnt require a lot of clutch so long as the bike is in tune you should be able to bog it down in 2nd and 3rd with no probs. just goose it along if you feel it is going to die on you and you will be good.