I recently bought a good looking and awesome running xl185s, but want to increase the top end so that i can go on mor roads with it. Ive thought about the idea of putting a smalller sprocket on back and larger one on front, but is there a better way? Will this make much of a difference? And if this is a good idea, how big should i make the sprockets? right now its got a 56 tooth on back and 13 tooth on front. What should i do that allowsme not to spend a fortune??

i would try a larger front sprocket first, its cheaper and easier to swap back if you dont like it. Dont go too drastic, off road performance will suffer

check sprocket specialits dot com and see what the OEM sprocket sizes were - the go hunting for best price etc. Yo can squeeze a wee bit more power out by using a 428 chain vs a 520.

Sprockets and nitrous! Bore it out too.

Seriously,Just leave it alone and ride it locally. Get another/bigger bike for longer trips.

The existing 13/56 gearing is extremely low.  I'll bet that the gearing could be upped quite a bit without destroying trail riding abilities.

1t in front = 3t in back.
So 13/56 is the same as 14/53 or 15/50
Try a 14t front first, or if they are cheap get a 14t and 15t.
Gearing does make a big difference as long as the bike has the power to pull the higher gearing.

a bit late and don't know if this will help much. i have a xl500s and what i did was got a 13 and 15 front sprocket. i keep the 13 on for most of my close too home riding and trails. when i want to go do a bit of longer riding i swap out the 13 for a 15. also check out this website to help with the what ifs for sprocket changes

http://www.gearingcommander.com//

Edited by yyz79flh, 26 November 2012 - 07:43 PM.

MindBlower, on 27 August 2012 - 07:54 PM, said:

I believe you have your gearing incorrect
13/56  is almost the same as 14/59 or 15/62
if you go up one on the cs then you must go up 3 on the rear gear to be equal
to answer the question 14/52 is a big diff on top speed

I used to race the ATV nationals on a hand built frame with that same engine in it in the 200cc pro class.  (really not much to brag about) But with everything I did to it bto give vit more power I would say that the big bore piston was the best. And you'll neede a little more power to pull the taller gearing. Try drilling a few holes in the air box as well. Good luck. But note, no matter what you do to it it will never be as fast as you'd probably like.

Step one: Put it in the back of your pickup.

Step two: Drive the pickup really fast.