Gearing 12-48?

[polarbear]

Hey guys, I have 13-52 sprockets on my 11' YZ 450. I love this gearing. But, I was wondering, to have a shorter chain (less drag/weight) if any of you have ran a 12-48? I did the calculations and its roughly the same as the 13-52. So if there's not any extra swing arm slap or other things that I don't know about it, i think I'd like to try it. I would appreciate ANY INFO. Thnx

[grayracer513]

The length of the chain adds no drag, and adding or subtracting one link out of 114 is only going to make a difference of 0.7%, or about 0.4 ounces.

Consider what "drag" there is coming from a chain. The only parts that move are the 4 pivot points where it either rolls onto or off of the front or rear sprocket. But, if you run smaller sprockets, the chain pivots farther as it runs onto/off of them, creating more friction, and the chain drags on the slider more often because it's closer to it. Furthermore, a 12 wears about 10% faster than a 13 does.

Overall, not a good idea.

[poppa]

So does a 14 wear about 10% less than a 13?

[josh8811]

Bad idea all the way around..

Your chain will eat the swing arm slider

Your chain will stretch out faster than normal because of the excessively tight radius of traveling around the tiny front sprocket

[polarbear]

Thanks for the Info guys. I didn't know that! I guess 13-52 aint so bad after all! Even though its 118 links. I have it at 118 because I find my riding more comfortable with my tire as far back as possible. I put the 12 on and put on my stock chain with a 48 rear for fun and noticed it went down to a 114. And if i moved my tire closer in I could even go to a 112.

[grayracer513]

...I find my riding more comfortable with my tire as far back as possible.

Running the axle farther rearward puts more weight on the front; a good thing for the YZF. You'll find sitting well forward while cornering helps, too.

[LILBIT]

Rear tire hook up is better with the axle back too. I tried mine with a long chain and loved the grip. I swapped back to normal for the quicker directional changes though.

Sprocket size can influence handling too. I noticed a noticable improvement on my KTM running the larger sprockets. The bike quit standing up on corner exits. Lot's of theory of this for sportbikes and some on motards but little for dirt. Phsyics are the same.

[LILBIT]

Rear tire hook up is better with the axle back too. I tried mine with a long chain and loved the grip. I swapped back to normal for the quicker directional changes though.

Sprocket size can influence handling too. I noticed a noticable improvement on my KTM running the larger sprockets. The bike quit standing up on corner exits. Lot's of theory of this for sportbikes and some on motards but little for dirt. Phsyics are the same.

You will never notice the weight but may notice the handling and will see more wear with the smaller CS.