KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: machine on March 28, 2005, 09:35:29 AM

Title: Gearing for the desert????
Post by: machine on March 28, 2005, 09:35:29 AM
What are you guys using as in gearing for desert riding?
I have the stock gearing now, and it seems like every time I give it the gas the bike just wants to spin the tire?
I think the front stock is a 14 tooth?
Was thinking of going to a 15 to see if there was much of a difference?
Would I have to make any modifications to fit the 15 tooth sprocket?  :roll:
Title: Gearing for the desert????
Post by: hughes on March 28, 2005, 11:34:12 AM
I think I saw some where on here that Paul is running a 14/45. I may be wrong. That would gear the bike up. Same if you added the 15 front.
Title: Gearing for the desert????
Post by: machine on March 28, 2005, 12:26:35 PM
I'm also a bit tight on the $$$green$$$ right now.
So a front would be less then a rear!
Title: Gearing for the desert????
Post by: bigborefan on March 28, 2005, 02:12:56 PM
Going to a 15 on the front would be like 2 or 2.5 teeth smaller on the rear, so you would be taller, whcih mellows out the power. Also the 15 clears the engine cases if you are running an O-Ring chain. Buy the 15 for starters.
Title: Gearing for the desert????
Post by: Ramski on March 28, 2005, 04:33:54 PM
I've been running stock (14/47) since I've had my 500 and ran 13/47 a few times in Arizona on the tight trails.  I tried 15/47 but first gear was too high for me in tight stuff.  Now that I'm a little faster, I'm going to try 14/45.  Maybe that'll be perfect for me.

I've raced quite a few desert races and 14/47 was still pretty fast for me.  I don't really look to go any faster with higher gear but look to mellow out the power and widen the ratios.
Title: Gearing for the desert????
Post by: TomL on March 29, 2005, 09:59:28 AM
I retarded the timing to the limit mark on the stator for that same reason.  It actually made the power much smoother and friendly!  Just what I was looking for; because I run 13/52 sprockets for slow woods riding.  Even with a flywheel weight, that low of gearing makes the power way too snappy for my comfort.  The timing change was just what I needed.