2015 ZX14r

Wanted to clean up the chain side of my bike and add some links so ordered an EK Gold chain, 41T black vortex steel sprocket, metal chain guard, and some wheel stripes. I got the 41t instead of the 42 for 2 reason. First the 42T was about $25 more because it was mostly unavailable. Second, I was happy with stock gearing for the most part on the street so I didnt want to go down to the suggested 40T for SWB drag racing. Also the gen 1's had 17/41 from what I read, so how bad could it be right?

Results:
17/41 is smoother everywhere and the difference is noticable in a major way. You might think 1 tooth rear would not make a big difference but it does. Taking off in first gear I can just run it all the way up to around 50+ mph before I shift and things are buttery smooth. It no loger gets buzzy above 5k in first. Before the bike would get buzzy before I cleared the intersection and I would be trying to shift while still leaning. No big deal but this is a major improvement for commuting and city cruising. Using 2nd and third on backroads and things are just so smooth an flowing. Only had 2 rides but I may have gained several mpg from this change as well. The bike is so much smoother everywhere. Its the gear the bike was made for on the street and I am very glad my thrifty nature forced me to give it a try. What about the roll-ons? Yes, they still try to rip your arms off. I actually think the bike accelerates faster because its smoother and I am more comfortable accessing the upper half of the revs where (as you already know) the big HP lives.

Downside:
Really nothing, but if I had to point anything out it would be that unless you drive cop catching speeds most of the time 6th gear has become even more useless for commuting and general street touring. 75mph indicated has 6th at 4k I think or maybe just a hair under. Which is more than fine with me because I feel like I am shifting less everywhere, the bike is smoother, and mpg is improving. Plus, if I am going to clip off 20-30 highway miles its a tad boggy, but just about right to put that mgp over 50 indicated on the dash.

if you like that, you should try 17/39.... with the 190/55 tire I'm now 17/40 which is about the same.

Love it. It does hinder my ability to put a hurtin on the quicker literbikes from a roll.... but only a little.

Not having a quick shiter is more of a problem. My lightweight friend is pretty even on his modded '15 R1 because every little bit I pull ahead I lose during a shift. even when I'm not using the clutch.

as for those backroad blasts, I can run all day in 3rd or 4th. like you said. the only downside is that sometimes the fun of raging on a bike on those back roads is wrapping out several gears. on these, I can only use one, maybe one and a half gears and even then your WAY WAY above the posted limit. kind of a buzz kill.

I think I need a fz09 as a second bike so I can wring its neck.

another down side is that I cant show off in town and pull a second gear power wheelie (no clutch, or jerking the bars) because now it takes until closer to 100 mph before it will carry the front tire in second.... lol.

* Last updated by: rod442 on 7/11/2016 @ 12:02 PM *

I hear you Rod, I have a vulcan 900 cruiser that starts at about 680lbs and 40hp. Based on the mods I have it should be closer to 60hp now and its just fun as hell to ring its neck to the max on those back roads. It could be the 3" straight pipes but there is just something about being able to use something to its fullest potential that satisfies.