Triumphrat

Allegiance955

i have already dropped one in the front...was thinking about also adding 2 in the rear...i really do not mind my top end speed going down but then again the gears on the bike are very lenthy and i believe that gearing it more would add a lot more pull towards acceleration..also i have noticed talk about the 520 and 530 chains whats the difference?

and input would be appreciated...

oldyeller

I just went to a 17t front and 46t rear on mine. I heartily recommend it. Makes for much better gearing at anything below race track speeds. I was worried it would be too big a change from stock but it's fine.

bradtx

"...also i have noticed talk about the 520 and 530 chains whats the difference?" -- oldyeller

The 530 is wider and heavier than the 520. If you're on the track a lot it may make sense to decrease unsprung weight and lower the chain's rotational mass with a 520, on the street the 530 may offer some durability.

Brad

oldyeller

Hey, that wasn't me asking about the 520/530 difference. That's something I actually knew!

Allegiance955

can someone give me input about gearing it...1 down 2 up? is it worth it? benefits? drawbacks?

trafficfixr

I can tell you that one down in the front makes a huge difference in around town riding and in traffic. It allows you to take slow turns in second instead of first and you can idle it in first about 3 or 4mph slower in traffic.(big deal here on Long Island) The bike accelerates much harder in all gears and I have still seen 170mph on the speedo after the mod, so there is still plenty of top end. It is really a great, cheap, easy mod.

frankentona955

Sportrider, I believe, actually did a comparison a few years ago. They took a bike (CBR I think), and went to a track, and compared acceleration times with different sprocket configurations. The riders reported that the bike felt like it accelerated faster, but the stopwatch noted that the differences were minimal. See if you can find that article, it's been a while since I read it.

EDIT: Here's a link to an article at Sport Rider. It's pretty informative.

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0008_gearing/

oldyeller

The benefit is that the engine operates at higher rpm at a given speed in a given gear. This makes the bike feel more responsive at the speeds most of us ride most of the time. The drawbacks would be possibly lower mpg and possibly more noise/vibration cruising at highway speeds. And a lower top speed. You just have to decide what's most important to you.

bradtx

oldyeller, Sorry 'bout that...in the old school forums that was how one quoted and I never got over the habit, or the ability to screw up! :

Allegiance955, The two D955is here that've been regeared go like this...the '04 is -1. This didn't effect MPG, but made riding with a pillion much more responsive and running in slow traffic easier (one interesting aspect is the engine labors noticeably less below 4K). The '02 was -1/+2 and mileage suffered 2-3 MPG. Right now it's -2 and much the same. This is a very responsive gearing with some consideration given to highway droning. The '98 hasn't been regeared and may not be.

Final drive ratio is a compromise whether from the factory or owner altered, there'll be a preferred ratio that fits your own wants and needs...all it takes is a little experimenting. It's the least expensive performance mod one can make so have fun with it.

Brad

Allegiance955

thanks guys for all your help and knowledge!!! it helped out a lot