01 XR650L sprocket question

[ezl_oo]

I want to make my bike a little easier to wheelie, so I don't know if I should change the sprockets, because I also want to use it to commute to and from work. I was planning on going +2 up in the rear, is that good? The bike currently does about 85 mph in 5th gear at 6300 rpm, I think I can get to about 90mph for the bikes top speed. I don't want the bike to do less than 75 mph as it's top speed. Any suggestions on which sprockets and what sizes to do for easier wheelying? Thanks for the help

[eastreich]

It is not just going with a larger rear sprocket that will help with the wheelie factor. By going with the larger rear sprocket, you are also shortening the wheelbase which helps the wheelie factor.

I don't have an L, so I really have no idea what speed you will get with a 2 tooth larger rear, but out here in MT, if the bike only had a top speed of 75, that would really suck. You'd get run over on the highway if you could only go that fast. I imagine that 2 teeth larger should still keep you well over 80mph for a top speed, but I don't really know.

As cheap as you can get steel rear sprockets for, I would start at one tooth larger and go from there. If one tooth isn't enough you are out all of $25 and can get the next tooth count larger.

[martinfan30]

i have an 05 650L with 15/48 sprocketts. i also commute at 70 to and from work with only a little more buzz than stock. wheelies much easier now! go for it!

[ezl_oo]

My bike is extremely hard to wheelie in any gear I can only get the front wheel up in 1st gear and only about 3 feet. I rev the hell out of the bike and also have to tug on the handle bars for it to come up 3 feet off the floor. I could never get it up in second with the clutch. So I was either thinking to change the sprockets or do engine mods to get more power out of this thing.

[Kyron]

Have you rejetted?

Try a 1 tooth smaller front

[martinfan30]

My bike is extremely hard to wheelie in any gear I can only get the front wheel up in 1st gear and only about 3 feet. I rev the hell out of the bike and also have to tug on the handle bars for it to come up 3 feet off the floor. I could never get it up in second with the clutch. So I was either thinking to change the sprockets or do engine mods to get more power out of this thing.

do both... but use a 48 tooth rear instead of changing the front, this will shorten the wheel base for easier wheelies... as was stated earlier by another.

[XR 650]

I dropped one tooth in the front & up one on the rear. I could easily clutch 2nd at any speed after doing this. Once I jetted it, I can power wheelie 1st,2nd, & clutch third (sometimes). I commute 30 miles each way. Top speed is 80-85. 65mph gets alittle buzzy & loud.

[crmc33]

whats a wheelie??

[ezl_oo]

I just checked my sprockets and have a stock 15 in the front and a moose racing 48 rear. I'm going to get a 14 front sprocket.

[nukinfutz]

okay fellaz, im gonna chime in here......i run 13 / 45. now, this sets the bike up to run tight twisty woods trails without shifting all the time. i can run 2nd and 3rd on most short choppy trails here in WV. BUT, the smaller sprocket up front sets the engine to rev higher/faster, and gives you HELLS of bottom end, 1st gear will pull yer arms outta the sockets, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, go by real quick ending real soon at 5th and comfortably 70mph.....i say comfortably because the noise and vibs are minimal and the engine isnt wrapped too tight.

now, running a 15/48.....should give you about the same result....i havent tried it as the sprockets and new chain is on order from rocky mt.....but, this will let the motor "relax" a little by not having such a small sprocket up front. im thinking leaving the 15 up front, and playing with diff sizes on the rear will be your best bet for keeping the motor from cranking to hard to fast.....just my personal opinion. ?

[XR650L_Dave]

45:13 = 3.462:1

48:15 = 3.2:1

48:14 = 3.43:1

Dave

[ezl_oo]

Dave I hope I don't sound like an idiot but what are those #s refering too?

[wheelnut46]

45:13 = 3.462:1

48:15 = 3.2:1

48:14 = 3.43:1

Dave

Can you get 13 tooth sprockets? Are they too small for the chain?

How about 16 tooth? Do they fit?

I had heard that genuine Honda CS sprockets were the best because they aren't hardened like the after-market and therefore wouldn't destroy the counter-shaft.

I don't remember where I got that info but I'm soon going to order a 14 tooth. That was the stock size on the XR600R right?

[martinfan30]

Dave I hope I don't sound like an idiot but what are those #s refering too?

looks like sprocket combo = final drive ratio.

[XR650L_Dave]

Answering a bunch at once:

Those are the final drive ratios presented "auto-style", its a little easier to compare. The higher the number, the slower the top speed, and the higher the rev for any given speed.

Percentages are a handy way to look at it too:

ratio = (#rear teeth:#front teeth)

45:15 = 3:1

48:15 = 3.2:1

(3.2-3) / 3 = 0.2/3 = 0.0666666 or call it 6.67%

Top speed in each gear is reduced 6.67%.

If 1st would do 20mph before, it'll now do

(20x0.0667) mph less, = 1.333 mph less.

If redline top gear was 100, now it'll be 6.67 mph less.

Don't know about a 16 tooth for sure (but I've heard of it), I think huffa2 managed to find a 42 rear.

A 13 tooth front does produce a little more chain wear, maybe, but the 13 tooth front itself needs to be replaced more often than the 14, the teeth hook or break a lot faster.

There are a few potential problems with some aftermarket sprockets:

1) harder material wears the splines on the countershaft

2) fit too tight or too loose

3) sprocket splines 'too narrow', concentrating stress and wear

4) keeper bolt holes in the sprocket drilled in the wrong place, causing the keeper splines to not fully line up opposite the countershaft splines.

Sunstar is regarded as a safe brand, but always check fit, alignment, etc. against the stocker.

PBIs have been, um, problematic.

Dave

[ezl_oo]

Thanks for the explanation! I might get a 14 front sprocket from Sunstar.

[martinfan30]

so can you get 13,14 tooth front sproc. from honda(OEM)? seeing as how it is a softer material, that would be better on the counter shaft.

[YetiX]

Why run the same sprockets all the time? ?

I got a 14 tooth front that I just swap in when I want to play and leave it stock for commuting. Takes 5 minutes to swap. Anything less (taller) than stock just gets too buzzy for cruising on the freeway at 70-75.

[martinfan30]

Why run the same sprockets all the time? ?

I got a 14 tooth front that I just swap in when I want to play and leave it stock for commuting. Takes 5 minutes to swap. Anything less (taller) than stock just gets too buzzy for cruising on the freeway at 70-75.

i run 15/48, i think i may carry a 14 on the bike to swap out for offroad.

[XR650L_Dave]

so can you get 13,14 tooth front sproc. from honda(OEM)? seeing as how it is a softer material, that would be better on the counter shaft.

Only if the 600R used a 14 front.

Dave