DR650 front sprocket?

[countryguy]

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Anyone run a 13tooth front sprocket. I've only just brought my bike and had a 14 tooth fitted as first gear was way too high for off roading at slow speeds. Yesterday I rode the hydro roads behind Hanmer and it is still geared too high. I'm having to ride in first gear most of the time and downhill is outright scary relying on brakes and not engine breaking. I'm used to riding very low geared farm bikes and would like to be able to ride the DR in similar areas and still be able to commute 10k's to work. I'm reluctant to change the rear sprocket as changing the front sprocket back to a 15 is a quick fix for road trips. I guess I could have a spare set of wheels suitable for trail riding only...any ideas of cost etc. Any ideas welcome.

[Woodman]

My advice (optional)

practice going down hill more using your brakes and clutch. The clutch is your friend when the gearing is a bit high.

[countryguy]

My advice (optional)

practice going down hill more using your brakes and clutch. The clutch is your friend when the gearing is a bit high.

Yea thats what I had to do. Would rather use engine breaking so i can ride over the ruts and knarly stuff under power rather than braking then freewheeling over them...just want to be more in control.

[Taz]

Just go faster down hill. The slower you ride down hill the scarier it is.

[countryguy]

Not that easy..the tracks are rutted and overgrown. definately need to go slowly and pick your way. I will try a 13th sprocket.

[ducatijim]

Hey Countryguy, I've had 50K km experience with a DR in all kinds of terrain and my conclusions are- Suzuki need flogging for not fitting 6 well spaced cogs, however, more practical is:

Have 2 sprockets; 15 and 13T fronts.

Scrap ALL shit associated with 'garding' the front sprocket.

Scrap the dumbass 3 bolt lock plate and replace with 2 21mm circlips,

Carry circlip pliers and both sprockets; it takes about 4 minutes on the roadside to swap over sprockets and NO chain changes!

Now, you are closer to the 'perfect' bike, mate!

[countryguy]

Hey Countryguy, I've had 50K km experience with a DR in all kinds of terrain and my conclusions are- Suzuki need flogging for not fitting 6 well spaced cogs, however, more practical is:

Have 2 sprockets; 15 and 13T fronts.

Scrap ALL shit associated with 'garding' the front sprocket.

Scrap the dumbass 3 bolt lock plate and replace with 2 21mm circlips,

Carry circlip pliers and both sprockets; it takes about 4 minutes on the roadside to swap over sprockets and NO chain changes!

Now, you are closer to the 'perfect' bike, mate!

Thanks bud, have you tried the 13th. I've heard they are not a Suzuki item? Any idea where I would buy one.

[cooneyr]

Thanks bud, have you tried the 13th. I've heard they are not a Suzuki item? Any idea where I would buy one.

I've heard an XR650 one will fit. It is a 520 chain size version but that will work OK with the 525 chain.

Cheers R

[countryguy]

Thanks guys definately going to try it. Spent the afternoon riding out to and around Lake Tennyson...80k's of shingle all up. A mate was with me on his DR200 and he pissed all over me riding off the road up the tussock faces in 2nd and 3rd gear, tried to follow by just ended up stalling trying to go slow or all but loosing control in 1st trying to follow him at speed. He was riding through washouts that needed really slow speeds and good balance.
A good afternoon though including riding across the Clarence River at the lake (over the front wheel) to a nice wee spot around the other side of the lake for a couple of bevies before the sandflies moved us on.

[junkmanjoe]

next time take your camera please..
me and a few lads are heading your way, staying in your little town, end of next month..

maybe catch up say harloo to you..:scooter:

JMJ

[Transalper]

..... A mate was with me on his DR200 and he pissed all over me riding off the road up the tussock faces....Even with lower gearing I suspect that will keep happening in the rough, to me the DR650 is and always will be much more of an Adventure bike than a Trail bike.
That's why I have kept the CRF230.

I imagine you would have been pissing all over him on the way out though.

[bart]

Sounds like you've got the wrong bike for the riding you want? I find the 14 tooth front is fine. The bike has enough torque to get through most situations. More capable than a DRZ400 with road gearing anyway.

Mate of mine runs a 13 tooth front. It's not recommended, but he made it work. I'll find out how.

[countryguy]

Thanks Bart...I think the bikes great in all other respects, just want to be able to ride slow over the rough/steep stuff as well as ride to work. Years ago I was doing just this with an old XR200 and later with an XL250R. Hopefully a 13th sprocket will get be close enough without having to go to the expense of two sets of rear wheels or rear sprocket changes.

[Transalper]

I am about to replace my tired chain and sprockets.
I use a 15 front and 43 rear (rear sprocket JTR1791.43 cost $53.80 without shopping around)
For a bit lower I do have a 14 front but I do more open stuf and that's the threshold for me with loss of highway speed/fuel econmy.
Still no where near as low geared as my trailie.

You can go bigger at the rear if you change to 520 series sprockets and move or get an adjustable rear chain guide.
Same with the front, I have also heard the 520 series 13 tooth XR sprocket has the correct spline.

[Taz]

What you really needed was a KTM525 with 6 speed box and 15/45 gearing. 1st gear great for crawling thru the snot and 6th capable of 160kmh, on a closed course :) Oh and did I mention it only weighs 130 fully fueled with big tank? :bleh: Sorry :o


http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv282/advkiwi/P1010855.jpg

[countryguy]

Something to aspire to huh! First time on 2 wheels for a few years so a bit out of touch, bit of catching up to do ;-)

[NordieBoy]

A 13t front will work fine.

I'd go to a 520 setup though.
An RGV250 rear in 44t and then 14/15t DR600 fronts work nicely with a 110t link chain.

The 44/14 will give you the same as 13/41.

The 15t lasts quite a bit longer than the 14's do.

[Bass]

A 13t front will work fine.

I'd go to a 520 setup though.
An RGV250 rear in 44t and then 14/15t DR600 fronts work nicely with a 110t link chain.

The 44/14 will give you the same as 13/41.

The 15t lasts quite a bit longer than the 14's do.

He's right in all of this. Also the 13t front that fits, is a common size on several 250's and not at all difficult to source. However, think about what Ducatijim told you.
For literally 5 minutes work, you can have the best of both worlds.
You have stock gearing on the road for an economical cruise but you can also have a very usable cluster of gears for the rough, with no chain alterations. The 13t on the front actually brings the gears closer together in terms of road speed and they turn out to work really well in the tougher stuff. You do however have a practical limit of about 110 kph on your top speed.
Doesnt, matter though, because 5 minutes work gets you back to road gearing.

[NordieBoy]

I'd be tempted to go to 122 links and 14/15/16-44.

16 for road touring.
15 for normal use.
14 for fun.

Also make sure you do something like a DynoJet kit.

It's worth 10% or so and a tooth on a front sprocket is only 8% different.

[ducatijim]

I'd be tempted to go to 122 links and 14/15/16-44.

16 for road touring.
15 for normal use.
14 for fun.

Also make sure you do something like a DynoJet kit.

It's worth 10% or so and a tooth on a front sprocket is only 8% different.



Christ Fran, the guy just wanted to know how to gear it down a bit-not get a whole new animal.

Really Countryguy, 2 sprockets;13t and 15t, 2 circlips and a Supercheap plier truely is ALL you need for your issue. Trust me.

[NordieBoy]

Christ Fran, the guy just wanted to know how to gear it down a bit-not get a whole new animal.

I just don't like the 13t.
Too small.

First new chain and I'd go to 520 though.
Just about pick up a chain and sprockets cheaper than just a good 525 chain.

[ducatijim]

Too small.

.

Should have known....size fixated:doh:

[NordieBoy]

Should have known....size fixated:doh:

You're the one that went from a 650 to a 990!

[countryguy]

Thanks guys, going to try the 13th but not sure even that will be low enough. If not I'll just make do and be careful where I ride. In the past with the farm bikes I have ridden I have been able to go over some really steep country, around sheep tracks etc at walking pace without risk of stalling. Just have to compromise I guess. Rode up a firebreak last night and chickened out 1/2 way up. The old XL185 I rode years ago would have plugged on up. Comming down was scary, just couldn't ride slow enough and keep on stalling.

[Woodman]

Don't ride slow.

problem solved.

[dino3310]

Countryguy
i wouldnt even bother mate, fast bike for slow shit, you'd be better of down grading CC,s or getting another ride as a trail hack or go buy some clutch springs and plates cause your gonna need them with all the clutch riding you gonna be doing. i used my old 650 on the trails and MX tracks but i just fanged it and it went sweet, but for the tight and slow i had more fun on an AG200 :clap:

[Transalper]

XL175 to DR650...
It's just the comparing apples to orange all over again.. their just not built for the same job.

A bit of a interesting thing on downhills... how do the 2 strokers get on with no engine braking? Guess they learn to use their brakes properly, also suspect the lighter weight helps.. I hated the two stroke I've ridden because of the lack of engine braking. I'll admit I've never taken the time to get the hang of them.

[NordieBoy]

XL175 to DR650...
It's just the comparing apples to orange all over again.. their just not built for the same job.
Yep the XR250 is like your CRF and fun at firebreaks.


A bit of a interesting thing on downhills... how do the 2 strokers get on with no engine braking? Guess they learn to use their brakes properly, also suspect the lighter weight helps.. I hated the two stroke I've ridden because of the lack of engine braking. I'll admit I've never taken the time to get the hang of them.
You really get to learn how to use the rear brake properly.

I use engine braking and front brake 90% of the time but am slowly learning to use the rear brake too.

[zeRax]

i tend to clutch in and use brakes on any bike a hell of alot, anything else not that steep and then maybe engine braking and rear brake just to keep revs happy and not doing its tits ;0

[warewolf]

In the past with the farm bikes I have ridden I have been able to go over some really steep country, around sheep tracks etc at walking pace without risk of stalling.No road/trail bike will be like your ag bikes. As transalper said, they are different animals, designed for different jobs. Adapt, or perish! :laugh:


A bit of a interesting thing on downhills... how do the 2 strokers get on with no engine braking? Guess they learn to use their brakes properlyI've always used my brakes properly even on 4Ts, since engine braking doesn't give enough power or enough control for my liking.

Some ppl like 2Ts because they consider them 'pure': one control for 'go' and one for 'stop', these are not connected like 4Ts. Shutting off the 'go' control on a 2T doesn't retard forward motion, doesn't slam all the weight onto the front wheel, doesn't cause compression stalls, etc. You wanna slow down? Use the effin' brakes, that's what they're there for! :D

[marks]

my son and I often have races on long down hills with our engines off and in neutral. Its surprising how much braking confidence you develop in your rear brake when you can hear how much traction it has. That alone has changed the way I use my back brake off road. He beats me every time :(

and Fran is right - small front sprockets root lots of things - themselves, the chain, the swingarm chain guides

[ducatijim]

You're the one that went from a 650 to a 990!

Big wrong actually, I have a 250 instead of the 650 now!:cool:

[ducatijim]

and Fran is right - small front sprockets root lots of things - themselves, the chain, the swingarm chain guides

13T on a DR is not a problem. No, really!! I cannot understand why I am attracting so many 'doubters' when I have used a 13T for many K's of kms and had no issues?

I guess I have no credibility.

funny...........

[NordieBoy]

13T on a DR is not a problem. No, really!! I cannot understand why I am attracting so many 'doubters' when I have used a 13T for many K's of kms and had no issues?

I guess I have no credibility.

funny...........

Rick from Procycle in the US also loves his 13t.
He runs from 13 to 16t fronts.

I just don't like the idea of such a small sprocket on the DR.
But if I tried one for the hills in conjunction with the 44t rear however...

It may be love. Until the 100k zone.

[NordieBoy]

Big wrong actually, I have a 250 instead of the 650 now!:cool:

990 and 250 averages out to 620.

Sounds a suspiciously orange sort of number.

[countryguy]

13T on a DR is not a problem. No, really!! I cannot understand why I am attracting so many 'doubters' when I have used a 13T for many K's of kms and had no issues?

I guess I have no credibility.

funny...........

Thanks...thats just what I need to hear.

[cooneyr]

my son and I often have races on long down hills with our engines off and in neutral. ....

Umm you realise that the oil pump won't be pumping oil to the gearbox - specifically oil to the CS (which is still turning) bearings. Be much better to leave the motor running with it in neutral. Probably not a big deal as minimal to no load on the bearings, but food for thought.

Cheers R

[marks]

Umm you realise that the oil pump won't be pumping oil to the gearbox - specifically oil to the CS (which is still turning) bearings. Be much better to leave the motor running with it in neutral. Probably not a big deal as minimal to no load on the bearings, but food for thought.

Cheers R

I don't think this is a problem on a 2 stroke - aren't the gearbox bearings splash fed? On a 4 stroke - I'm not so sure but I thought it was all splash lubricated and the oil pump just does the bearings and valve gear?

nothings exploded yet - its no different than towing a bike is it?

[Woodman]

Umm you realise that the oil pump won't be pumping oil to the gearbox - specifically oil to the CS (which is still turning) bearings. Be much better to leave the motor running with it in neutral. Probably not a big deal as minimal to no load on the bearings, but food for thought.

Cheers R

Crankshaft will not be turning with the engine off, therefore requires no lubrication.

[warewolf]

Crankshaft will not be turning with the engine off, therefore requires no lubrication.Gearbox output shaft will be though, unless you have a broken chain :buggerd:

LC4 gearbox is pressure fed.

[ducatijim]

990 and 250 averages out to 620.

Sounds a suspiciously orange sort of number.

No 620, or 640 or whatever.........

Green 250, the orange hump and a black bitch.......like me;quite uncomplicated really!

250's my fav :2thumbsup

[NordieBoy]

No 620, or 640 or whatever.........

Green 250, the orange hump and a black bitch.......like me;quite uncomplicated really!

250's my fav :2thumbsup

I do quite like my little 250 too.

[countryguy]

Must be getting used to the gearing...just rode some old rutted Hydro tracks and some fairly knarlly mountainbike tracks and was a lot more confident at higher speeds. Did hesitate at a big rocky tussock face I used to ride up a few years ago though. Can't wait to try the 13th sprocket.
Also getting used to the shingle roads around here...just came back from Accomodation House on Molesworth over Jollies pass at between 60-80k's on what are essntially road tyres.

[Woodman]

personally i would wait a wee while before putting the 13 on cos you are getting used to the higher geraring already, and probly using the grunt you now have better too.

[fridayflash]

hi all, just bought a k2 dr650 today, bought it in welly now home in napier admiring it lol, getting some usefull info
on gearing... ill def play around with mine and do roadside swaps with the front etc, i dont mind steep downhills as have
trail and enduro'd two and four strokes in the past but will want lower gearing for steeper climbs and of course... wheelies!