Sprockets, sprockets, ahhh sprockets?!?!

shelei09 · January 21st, 2013, 08:38 PM

I have been looking into upgrading the sprockets on my bike (2010 Ninja 250r) I have found from most posts that 15t for front is most recommended and 42/43 for the rear...

My question is with a rear tire size (continental 150/70/ZR 17) is a 42 or 43 tooth better for the rear?!

On the same note as sprockets, I have a solid Alpine white bike and want to find hot pink under glow lights but am wondering if it is possible to paint my steel sprockets hot pink to match?

csmith12 · January 21st, 2013, 09:00 PM

For a bigger tire though I would do a 43t. But honestly 42 or 43 will not matter that much in the end.

And yea, you can have them powder coated any color you want. Just mask off the teeth so those are not painted and your good to go.

rojoracing53 · January 21st, 2013, 09:12 PM

I'm running the same rear tire and I have a 15-42 right now. Ill probably go to a 41 for my next sprocket in 10k miles.

csmith12 · January 22nd, 2013, 06:49 AM

Why 41? I also run 15/42 but feel 41 would be a bit much for me.

csmith12 · January 22nd, 2013, 06:51 AM

Still to much shifting for ya?

rojoracing53 · January 22nd, 2013, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Why 41? I also run 15/42 but feel 41 would be a bit much for me.

Because it still has plenty of power on the flats and for those long sections of hwy it'd be nice to get the rmps a little lower when I'm doing 80mph. Plus
It'd also be cool to get my speedo to read exactly 1% of my rmps in sixth gear. I think to get the 1% thing I'd need a 40 but ill try a 41 first.

I do plenty of canyon riding and have never felt my gearing was to tall, hell I did the first two races at chuckwalla last year with the 42 still on it and just used 4th gear

csmith12 · January 22nd, 2013, 07:05 AM

Ah, I see. The many hills of KY make me feel the way I do. I have never slapped on a 40 or 41. But I do run Putnam Park with 15/42. I feel it's the best gearing for that track for me. 4th gear WOT the only shift points are for the bus stop and straights.

shelei09 · January 22nd, 2013, 07:34 AM

Ok thanks for all the input and quick response... My next question would be about the chain.. My bike does not have the center stand and I feel my chain is rather lose.

When I get my new sprockets put on what should my chain be? I saw some places were saying with a bigger tire it should be about 2"?

Suggestions?

csmith12 · January 22nd, 2013, 07:59 AM

0.8" - 1.2" are the specs for chain slack but I like a little tiny bit more on mine. Size of the tire means nothing in relation to chain slack. It's all about the suspension travel (less with a taller profile tire) and chain wear (tight spots, loose spots).

See here

Link to original page on YouTube.

rojoracing53 · January 22nd, 2013, 08:49 AM

What csmith12 said

Tires and sprockets don't change how much chain slack you should have. But if you do change sprocket sizes you can expect to make a much bigger adjustment to your rear axle to get the chain back within spec. You should also be good with the stock chain length even with a 14-42 so you don't have to shorten your chain.

CZroe · January 23rd, 2013, 09:47 PM

Had to take out a couple links for 15:38. I would say that it was too far for most people and was too far for me when I drove cross-country, but it was fine around town. I switched back to 15:41 after the trip.

January 21st, 2013, 08:38 PM	#1
shelei09 ninjette.org member Name: Sheena Location: Abilene Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 10	Sprockets, sprockets, ahhh sprockets?!?! I have been looking into upgrading the sprockets on my bike (2010 Ninja 250r) I have found from most posts that 15t for front is most recommended and 42/43 for the rear... My question is with a rear tire size (continental 150/70/ZR 17) is a 42 or 43 tooth better for the rear?! On the same note as sprockets, I have a solid Alpine white bike and want to find hot pink under glow lights but am wondering if it is possible to paint my steel sprockets hot pink to match?

January 21st, 2013, 09:00 PM	#2
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	For a bigger tire though I would do a 43t. But honestly 42 or 43 will not matter that much in the end. And yea, you can have them powder coated any color you want. Just mask off the teeth so those are not painted and your good to go. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

January 22nd, 2013, 06:49 AM	#4
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Why 41? I also run 15/42 but feel 41 would be a bit much for me. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

January 22nd, 2013, 06:51 AM	#5
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Still to much shifting for ya? __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

January 22nd, 2013, 07:05 AM	#7
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Ah, I see. The many hills of KY make me feel the way I do. I have never slapped on a 40 or 41. But I do run Putnam Park with 15/42. I feel it's the best gearing for that track for me. 4th gear WOT the only shift points are for the bus stop and straights. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

January 21st, 2013, 09:12 PM	#3
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	I'm running the same rear tire and I have a 15-42 right now. Ill probably go to a 41 for my next sprocket in 10k miles.

January 22nd, 2013, 07:34 AM	#8
shelei09 ninjette.org member Name: Sheena Location: Abilene Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 10	Thanks for the responses! Ok thanks for all the input and quick response... My next question would be about the chain.. My bike does not have the center stand and I feel my chain is rather lose. When I get my new sprockets put on what should my chain be? I saw some places were saying with a bigger tire it should be about 2"? Suggestions?

January 22nd, 2013, 07:59 AM	#9
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	0.8" - 1.2" are the specs for chain slack but I like a little tiny bit more on mine. Size of the tire means nothing in relation to chain slack. It's all about the suspension travel (less with a taller profile tire) and chain wear (tight spots, loose spots). See here Link to original page on YouTube. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

January 22nd, 2013, 08:49 AM	#10
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	What csmith12 said Tires and sprockets don't change how much chain slack you should have. But if you do change sprocket sizes you can expect to make a much bigger adjustment to your rear axle to get the chain back within spec. You should also be good with the stock chain length even with a 14-42 so you don't have to shorten your chain.

January 23rd, 2013, 09:47 PM	#11
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Had to take out a couple links for 15:38. I would say that it was too far for most people and was too far for me when I drove cross-country, but it was fine around town. I switched back to 15:41 after the trip.

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