front vs rear sprocket change

[sharky nrk]

So after putting pods/jet/exhaust on the bike and around 1K miles on (not just 1k experience I have more bikes lol) I really think that the bike is geared too short. With rearsets and clip ons (no bar weights) it vibrates the heck out of my hands and feet running at 65-75 mph on highway.

I do not want to loose any acceleration on the bike so I have been really weary of gearing he bike longer but have read that alot of people are really happy with the 15T front upgrade.

Now assuming I won't notice any appreciable loss in acceleration, is there any reason to do the 15T vs a 42T rear other than cost? I know that with a 42T rear the wear cycle is greater because the chain will contact the same tooth in less revolutions but I imagine it negligable. Adding a tooth the front sprocket will increase weight, removing 3 teeth from the rear reduces weight. I also know that this is an insignificant amount but I road cycle a bit so upgrades always get scanned through the weight weenie thought process.

What say you ninjette?

[Alex]

No appreciable difference. Cheaper to do the front one. Easier to do the rear one. Either way, the only thing that ultimately matters is the new ratio.

[sharky nrk]

gearing calc showed about a 1/2 inch increase in sprocket distance from the rear reduction, is there enough adjustment to cover that with the stock chain or would you have to yank a link?

[Alex]

Not sure. If it was a new unstretched chain, it would probably be fine. If the chain adjusters are already out a bit, perhaps it wouldn't leave enough adjustment room left. I know that people have done the 15/41 ratio on the stock chain.

[EMSRacer07]

for me the front was easiest, can still use the same chain with hardly any adjustment and cheaper too. Think front sprocket is like 12bucks shipped.

[sharky nrk]

I have no fears of being able to do either sprocket swap, but all things being equal I would prefer to do the rear rather than the front, but it would be nice to not have to futz with the chain length. If not I can snatch a link off of it.

[EMSRacer07]

well if thats the case with 15 front and 42 rear in my set up i had to take off two links ( 106 stock to 104 length). So it might be more since your not going to raise the front. keep that in mind. Might have to take out two links.

[eddiekay]

I did both for touring purposes:
Loos of accel was not an issue
Gas milegae dropped a little
Top end came off just a little
Could not rredline in 6
But cruised very easily @ 80....if i recall, maybe just under 9k.
Just got a new '11 ninjette and will do it again....very worthwhile for highway

[sharky nrk]

Yeah, I can see on a completely stock bike how it would be difficultto pull the bike to redline with longer gearing. Stock the bike just goes so flat past 10-11K. With normal E/P/J it does give the bike a little longer legs and I bet I could get close to using all available gearing with a small step.