DR650 front sprocket?

**countryguy** · 26th December 2009, 08:35

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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** · 26th December 2009, 08:50

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** · 26th December 2009, 09:01

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 26th December 2009, 09:30

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

**countryguy** · 26th December 2009, 09:59

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** · 26th December 2009, 10:20

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** · 26th December 2009, 10:32

Originally Posted by 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!

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

**cooneyr** · 26th December 2009, 16:30

Originally Posted by countryguy

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** · 26th December 2009, 16:45

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** · 26th December 2009, 16:56

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..

JMJ

**Transalper** · 26th December 2009, 18:26

Originally Posted by countryguy

..... 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** · 26th December 2009, 19:49

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** · 26th December 2009, 20:24

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** · 27th December 2009, 11:36

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** · 27th December 2009, 15:53

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?

Sorry