Triumphrat

mlc · 03-12-2007

am doing bulk 120km/75mph commuter riding (900km/week) and whilst the bonnie seems to handle it no worries - am thinking a highway sprocket may make life a bit cruisier for me and the bike.

do they make much of a difference at that speed on engine load/revs / and conversely do they rob much low down fun in the twisties and away from the lights ? Ads v disads appreciated.

im worried that even using the broad term 'highway sprocket' may betray my naivety in these matters. Is there a specific sprocket (tooth no.) thats the go. Thanks in advance............

mlc · 03-12-2007

sorry dudes - am new at this and just getting used to the search tool for past topics and see an almost definitive flood of past sprocket related discussions (its almost a 'what type of oil' question). responses still welcome, but excuse the newbie enthusiasm .......

kurtisf · 03-12-2007

if you have a 17 tooth {front} try an 18 , it'll help you from looking for another gear all the time , 19 is to high

sweatmachine · 03-12-2007

mine came with the 18t stock, I went to the 19 and HATED it. Some people seem to like it.

It only reduced revs at highway speed by about 500 rpms, I was cruising at 70mph at 3900-4000 rpms instead of 4400-4500 with the 18t sprocket.

The worst thing for me with the 19t was how loooooooooooong each gear felt, like I was always waiting to shift. I went back to the 18t and liked it ok, then I tried a 17t and the bike felt like someone unhooked the trailer that was behind it. I've had the 17t for about 10,000 miles now and I would never switch back. I actually bought a new rear sprocket with one more tooth to further lower the gearing. I don't mind cruising at 4500-4600 rpms, it's a little buzzy but the bike likes it just fine. Better to rev the motor than lug it, plus there's no need for a downshift to pass, just WOT.

Olderyoungster · 03-12-2007

I did 22,000 miles with an 18 tooth..... didn't know any better.

My current Bonnie has it's factory 17 tooth (I assume, I should check it someday). Honest to God, between the two bikes and a three month lay over, I can't tell the difference. I bought the bike used with only 380 miles on it, and I assume that the guy didn't know to change out the front sprocket.

But I sure as hell wouldn't go to a 19 tooth!

Jimbonnie · 03-12-2007

It's cheap enought and easy enough to change the sprocket so you can get a first hand assessment yourself.

I suspect if you're going to be droning down the freeway day in and day out you'll like having the motor spinning a bit slower. I went to a 19 tooth on my 864 motor and it's got plenty of torque with that setup.

webonnielad · 03-12-2007

Changing sprockets from a 17 to an 18 tooth sprocket on my 790cc was probably the cheapest and most succesful dollar for dollar improvement I ever made.

Thats pound for pound in English.

Jon (UK)

SpeedyPete · 03-12-2007

Suck it and see mate.

I believe that is proper Aussie English for "One way to find out buddy".

P

bonnevillebilly · 03-12-2007

The 19T front sprocket is absolutely great on the highway.
And you loose very little on take off. I love it. I went from
the stock 17T right to the 19T. I had though
about dropping down to the 18T...But, it is so much better
on the highway I decided to stay with the 19T. I say go
for it and, if some reason you don't like you can always
change it back.
Bill

bgaz · 03-12-2007

Keep in mind, there are 790cc bikes and 865cc bikes, the 790cc bikes had the 17 stock, the 865 have the 18 stock I think.
I have the 790cc motor with TOR's, dynojet kit, and the snorkle out, so going to the 18 tooth sprocket gives the same results as stock but with lower hiway revs which is nice. With the stock power, it might be sluggish.

If I was to put the 17 back on, it would be very quick.
The sprockets are cheap and very easy to change, so give one tooth up a try.

Brett