Hmmm"¦.. One gear for both street or strip. I guess it would depend on how you ride it. If you put quite a few miles on the bike weekly on the highway I'd lean toward the 17/42. If the strip is more of a priority the 17/43. There really is not a bunch of different between the two however. The 17/42 is a 2.47 ratio, the 17/43 is a 2.53 ratio. A 16/40 will put you in the middle of the two with a 2.5 ratio. It would also be a good choice but might be a little harder on the chains. With a good quality chain it should not be a problem. It would also give you about ½-3/4 inch more wheelbase which would be an advantage at the track if you are running a stock swingarm.Professor - if you had to pick between 17/42 or 17/43 for both street and track which one would you pick and why? Thanks.If I had to run one all the time it would be a 17/42-43. The 18/42-43 would have an advantage of being a bit easier on the chain. But would perform almost identical to the 17/40. The 18/43 would require a 114 link chain instead of the earlier 112 link.
I may have just made it more confusing to you. You really have to pick what fits best for you. Some do not mind the 5000 rpm 80 mph buzz going down the interstate a 16/43 will give you. I don't like it, and the 17/40 tames the hit in the tight stuff. May be a bandaid on my riding style in the curves, but it works for me.