How many teeth on rear

[DrinkBeer]

So I have decide, finally, that I should lower the tall first gear of my '07 TE 450. How many should I add, one or two and will I need a new chain? Maybe not with one, but with two? Thank you in advance.

Jon

 

[ray_ray]

Not sure how far you want to go or where you are at now, but changing the front sprocket is alot easier and cheaper than changing the rear sprocket... U probably have a 13t now on front and you can go from a 12t to a 15t here with the same chain I believe ... Going to the 12t is a little tight on the chain so that may not be what you want for dong a great deal of riding ...

Adding 1-2 teeth on the back will make a small difference ... I would suggest at least 2t in order to feel much of a change ... Same chain might work here ... And maybe some of the 450 guys can give more details on this bike ...

On my 08 TXC 250, I'm going to go with a smaller sprocket on the rear from the 48t I have now to maybe a 46t-47t and use the front sprocket to raise or lower the speed of the bike ... 1st gear right now is very low on my bike with the 13t on front so I think I can gear up more in the rear for speed and be OK ....

I'll use a 12t on tight stuff, then go as high as the 15t when I know I'll be on the highway, traveling more and looking for gas mileage and lower engine RPMs ... I think this is the way to use the 6 speed tranny ...

 

[NumberCruncher]

So I have decide, finally, that I should lower the tall first gear of my '07 TE 450. How many should I add, one or two and will I need a new chain? Maybe not with one, but with two? Thank you in advance.

Jon

My 2006 TE450 needed a longer chain for two teeth. But the change was noticeable and with the money and effort.

I wouldn't go with a 1 tooth change as I doubt you'll notice it. I'll add two teeth before I even take delivery of my 2010 TE250.

NC

 

[ghte]

I went up two teeth to the rear of my 06. I found I was stalling a lot on tight and steep ST stuff. It made a huge difference. However, I have since reverted back to the stock sprocket for the following reasons;
The bike has a pretty low first 3 gears
The engine freed up and just lugged a whole lot better.
It severly compromised the bike in other situations ie fire trail and occasional bitumen bits.
I will now stay with the stock situation as my riding is a mixed bag and the stock scenario is the best compromise. That said if you are fully specialised then a different gearing wil probably be better, just don't go too low/small up front.

 

[DrinkBeer]

Went with the two more in the rear and it is very nice for the riding I do. I can chug slowly along on tight trails in first or second and I do not have to touch the clutch at all. On the few very open areas I hit you will go through the gears quickly, so if your in the desert I would not do it. Should have done this long ago. I do not know why I take so long to make changes to my bike!!!
Sorry so long to reply....I have been riding!

 

[ray_ray]

Nice U been riding .... my bike chews up the 6 speeds quickly also

I looked closer at my rear sprocket and it is a 50t ... so I'll probably go back to stock some day , 48t, and use the front sprocket to slow or speed things up depending on where I am riding ...

This 13/50 setup is not bad as don't go over ~40 on the hardtop and it is pretty technical where I ride at in many places on the trail ...

 

[Dirtdame]

My 07 TE450 came with a 14/50 combo. I have kept it this way because I end up on the highway or out in the desert quite often. If I can't cruise at 55 and hit 70 if need be, I'll simply be run over and left behind by all the other traffic. Meanwhile, I just make do with what I have and slip the clutch for technical riding. If I did a lot more of that, I would probably run a 13 up front.

 

[JPinNC]

This thread is helpful as I have been pondering the same question for my '09 TXC250. I only ride off road, typical western North Carolina trails. Most of my riding is 2nd to 4th gear. On really tight, steep stuff, I feel like I need a little lower gearing (or more power from a 300 BB kit). So I have been debating a 51 vs. 52 rear sprocket. From the replies above, it doesn't sound like I will notice much if any change going to a 51. I will likely try a 52. Does anyone know how many links the stock chain has?

 

[JPinNC]

I went up two teeth to the rear of my 06. I found I was stalling a lot on tight and steep ST stuff. It made a huge difference. However, I have since reverted back to the stock sprocket for the following reasons;
The bike has a pretty low first 3 gears
The engine freed up and just lugged a whole lot better.
It severly compromised the bike in other situations ie fire trail and occasional bitumen bits.
I will now stay with the stock situation as my riding is a mixed bag and the stock scenario is the best compromise. That said if you are fully specialised then a different gearing wil probably be better, just don't go too low/small up front.

ghte, how long (miles or hours) did it take for your engine to "free up"?

 

[DrinkBeer]

This thread is helpful as I have been pondering the same question for my '09 TXC250. I only ride off road, typical western North Carolina trails. Most of my riding is 2nd to 4th gear. On really tight, steep stuff, I feel like I need a little lower gearing (or more power from a 300 BB kit). So I have been debating a 51 vs. 52 rear sprocket. From the replies above, it doesn't sound like I will notice much if any change going to a 51. I will likely try a 52. Does anyone know how many links the stock chain has?

I put a new chain on after going up two teeth in the rear. The stock was tight.

 

[JPinNC]

I put a new chain on after going up two teeth in the rear. The stock was tight.

I figured a new chain would be needed. Thanks!