klr650 sprocket info
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Jeff Saline
- Posts: 2246
- Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:02 pm
klr650 sprocket info
Listers,
The following post was sent to the list on 10 Jan 2006. Since we've
started a thread about gearing and sprockets I thought I'd pass it on for
your reading or deleting pleasure. It has a chart comparing some
sprocket combinations.
An addition or two. I've now started putting a dab of RTV on the master
link clip to keep it from disappearing. It worked well on De Tour.
Also, if I was buying a chain today I'd get an X-ring chain. Just to add
fuel to the fire I lube/clean my chain with WD-40 after spraying the
o-rings with white lithium grease. Probably one shot of grease for every
10 lubes/cleanings with WD-40.
For the 2007 riding season I only used the 14/46 combo. I also only took
one tour of about 900 miles in three days. More than 50% of that ride
was on logging, gravel or dirt roads or single type track. The rest of
my riding season was local trips of 30-250 miles per day. A few times
during the riding season I kind of wished I had the 16 tooth front on so
I would be back to stock rpms at a bit faster speeds. But that was only
for some short sections when doing a bit of quicker riding with BMW
1200GSs or a super motard DR650. I was still comfortable at 65 mph but
when exceeding that the 16/46 would have been nice. I don't think I
exceeded 75 mph all riding season on the KLR. In the dirt it was easy to
tell the 14/46 combo was better than the gearing on other bikes.
Best,
Jeff Saline
ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal
Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org
The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT
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KLR Listers,
I was asked a couple of times in the last few days about the sprockets I
use. I thought about this issue and figured maybe someone on this list
could also use this information. So here it is for your consideration.
I like a 14 or 16 tooth front sprocket and I'm currently using a 46 tooth
rear sprocket. For most folks I wouldn't recommend this combo for
various reasons. The most prominent reason is the 46 tooth rear sprocket
isn't available in the states. I got mine from Australia. I really like
the results but for most folks I think a 45 tooth rear sprocket would be
a better choice and more easily available. I use the 16 tooth front for
getting somewhere like New Mexico from South Dakota in two days. For off
road riding I really like the 14 tooth front. Below is a chart of sorts
showing some info about sprocket combos.
If I was in the market today for a rear sprocket I'd go with a 45 tooth
steel JT Sprocket. I think you could get a local bike shop to order one
from Parts Unlimited. I don't know if Fred at
www.arrowheadmotorsports.com sells them. I have a DID O-ring chain. I
think if I was doing it again I'd maybe spend just a bit more money and
get the X-ring chain. I'm not sure why I'd do this but I think I would.
And, I'd also buy a few spare master links so I could fix the chain if
needed. Last summer it took me longer to find the master links in my
gear than it did to replace a missing clip.
From my notes on ratios when I was in the market for a sprocket combo
that would work for me here is some data. Remember the stock gearing on
a KLR650 is 15 front and 43 rear.
Frt 43 44 45 46 % from stock
16 2.687 ///////// ////////// ////////// -6.661
16 ////////// 2.750 ////////// ////////// -4.218
16 ////////// ///////// 2.8125 ////////// -1.920
15 2.866 ///////// ////////// ////////// STOCK
16 ////////// ///////// ////////// 2.875 0.314
15 ///////// 2.933 ////////// ////////// 2.337
15 ///////// ///////// 3.000 ////////// 4.675
15 ///////// ///////// ////////// 3.066 6.978
14 3.071 ///////// ////////// ///////// 7.152
14 ///////// 3.1428 ////////// ///////// 9.630
14 ///////// ///////// 3.214 ///////// 12.142
14 ///////// ///////// ////////// 3.285 14.619
13 3.308 ///////// ////////// ///////// 15.422
13 ///////// 3.385 ////////// ///////// 18.109
13 ///////// ///////// 3.462 ///////// 20.080
13 ///////// ///////// ////////// 3.538 23.447
So... if that makes sense to you the 16/45 combo will be just 1.92%
taller than the stock gearing. Probably not enough to be concerned with
for power. It should make for good distance gearing. The 14/45 combo
will be 12.142% lower than stock and will make a huge difference off
road. And if you're using a 15/45 combo the gearing will be 4.675% lower
than stock and would still be fine around town and doing light dirt work.
And if you were gonna get stupid a 13/45 would allow you to pull stumps
at 20.080% lower than stock gearing. But I think the rear adjusters only
have enough movement to work for a change of two teeth on a front
sprocket. Like going from a 16 to a 14. I don't think you could tighten
the chain enough going from a 16 to a 13 tooth.
Hoping this is of some interest to listers,
Jeff Saline
ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal
Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org
The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT