Thoughts on 18T Gearing

[MeltDownZ]

I currently ride 60% of my day in slow traffic. I grunt it out to enjoy the 40%

Anyway, my bike as purchased used had a 16T up front. I'm going to put a 17T to make it more traffic friendly and was even considering 18T. I don't ever race or wheelie, just use the bike like a sporty cruiser. Any thoughts on if an 18T will have any good or bad effects?

Thanks!

 

[MET]

18T on the front s too much for a stock Busa. For very day use and traffic keep the 16T or go with the stock 17/41 setup. Make sure if you change the front you look at the chai and rear. Change them all if need be.

 

[paineless4u]

Ninja, whats the best gearing to run straight,,,,,,,,no twisties, but stop light to stop light?

 

[MeltDownZ]

18T on the front s too much for a stock Busa. For very day use and traffic keep the 16T or go with the stock 17/41 setup.  Make sure if you change the front you look at the chai and rear.  Change them all if need be.

I bought the bike used and there's no history record for it. I don't know if the chain was changed when the front was geared down. I've been told by a couple of shops that if I'm just going back to the stock gearing I'd probably be ok to leave the existing chain on. Additional thoughts?

 

[MeltDownZ]

.

18T on the front s too much for a stock Busa. For very day use and traffic keep the 16T or go with the stock 17/41 setup.  Make sure if you change the front you look at the chai and rear.  Change them all if need be.

<span style='color:green'>Ninja Eater</span>,

Not doubting you at all, just trying to learn...

Why do you say 18T is too much for a stock bike?

And, the Suzuki sprocket has got rubber pads on either side which are suppose to make it quieter ($70).  Aftermarket sprokets are only ($15).  Which do you recommend?



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[Johnnycheese]

18T on the front s too much for a stock Busa. For very day use and traffic keep the 16T or go with the stock 17/41 setup.  Make sure if you change the front you look at the chai and rear.  Change them all if need be.

<span style='color:green'>Ninja Eater</span>,

Not doubting you at all, just trying to learn...

Why do you say 18T is too much for a stock bike?

And, the Suzuki sprocket has got rubber pads on either side which are suppose to make it quieter ($70).  Aftermarket sprokets are only ($15).  Which do you recommend?

as I stated before you DON"TR HAVE THE HP TO TURN IT

 

[STUNNAH]

Most owners that run an 18 up front are turning some serious HP...A stock Busa is not going to have the HP needed to benefit an 18...The larger front gear is used with a combination of gearing for high speed top end runs...If you ride your Busa strickly as a commuter/tourer then I would suggest either stock gearing at 17/40 or leave the current setup as it is...Your mechanic should you decide to change the gear should be able to tell you if you need to change your chain also due to wear...If you swap back to a 17 up front the stock chain will be fine as long as it is not worn...

 

[STUNNAH]

Ninja, whats the best gearing to run straight,,,,,,,,no twisties, but stop light to stop light?

I would suggest that you leave it stock at 17/40...Or if you want more torque and to reach the power band quicker 16/42...

 

[MET]

Ninja, whats the best gearing to run straight,,,,,,,,no twisties, but stop light to stop light?

I would stick with stock gearing on the road. stock or a 16T front if you want real fast starts



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[atticdog]

wouldnt an 18 be worse in traffic?
on the idea of taking off in second gear

 

[STUNNAH]

wouldnt an 18 be worse in traffic?
on the idea of taking off in second gear

Don't quite understand your question...Unless you intend on increasing your HP and doing top runs you just don't need it...

 

[MET]

wouldnt an 18 be worse in traffic?
on the idea of taking off in second gear

Yes it would be like starting out in 2nd. You would need at least 190hp to get it to pull worth while and over 200 to really make it useful

 

[MET]

.

18T on the front s too much for a stock Busa. For very day use and traffic keep the 16T or go with the stock 17/41 setup.  Make sure if you change the front you look at the chai and rear.  Change them all if need be.

<span style='color:green'>Ninja Eater</span>,

Not doubting you at all, just trying to learn...

Why do you say 18T is too much for a stock bike?

And, the Suzuki sprocket has got rubber pads on either side which are suppose to make it quieter ($70).  Aftermarket sprokets are only ($15).  Which do you recommend?

do not even pay $70.00 for a ChromMolly front.
$15.00 will be fine for the front. Go with AFAM USA sprockets

 

[MeltDownZ]

Thanks to everyone who replied. You've helped me understand the issue of gearing choices. Sounds like it's either the 16T which I have now or back to stock at 17T. Seeing as I actually prefer to reach the powerband later and have calmer starts, I'm going back to stock at 17T. And, I'm going to take Ninja Eater's advice and go with the $15 one.

 

[MeltDownZ]

Just a follow up to anyone doing reseach on gearing. After doing the switch back to 17T, I find that it is perfect for the street.

 

[MET]

Glad to hear you wrked out the gearing.

 

[gsteve]

I went to a 16 for city driving and much prefer it

 

[MidnightBusainSD]

What about 18T front and 42 rear gearing how do you think that would work?

 

[MidnightBusainSD]

mabey i should explain i'd like to just switch one sprocket and not remove the wheel evertime when i wana go major highway travel then to the strip so with a 42 on the rear would i be alright with the 18t up front? would that be close to the stock ratio of 17 40 or just slightly above it?