The Setup

[Zukin]

Well I am about to set up the little ole 250 for my first ride at the end of August

What gearing would you recommend?
I have a 48 on the rear, and a 13 on the front?

Your thoughts?

Cheers

[warewolf]

What gearing would you recommend?
I have a 48 on the rear, and a 13 on the front?

What's the intended use? On my DR-Z250, I run 15/42 on the road; 14/42 was a tad too short. In the forest I run 13/46 but maybe 13/49 would be better.

[Zukin]

DOH

It will be used on the road for most of the trip, but also on gravel?

Cheers

[warewolf]

It will be used on the road for most of the trip, but also on gravel?

Probably close to the 14/42 OEM compromise, I'd say. 15/48 is close but shorter and would require a long chain. 13/39 would be good if available, requires a short chain. (Just trying to save you replacing both sprockets).

[merv]

I ran my Suzuki for a while on the stock 42 back sprocket but then changed it to a 45 alloy and on the road I found it fine on the 14/45 combo as I reckon it was geared rather high stock for a 250. On 14/45 it was still good for 130km/hr. On the trail I then just slipped either a 13T or 12T onto the front. The 12/45 still didn't give it a good enough 1st gear but by then the ratios were too close - remembering my bitching about this bike anyway.

So if you are off on a mainly road trip go with 14/42 or 13/42, as 13/48 is pretty low, or do you not have a 42 back sprocket? According to my gearing spreadsheet the 13/48 combo means you'd only be able to do 117km/hr at 9,000rpm - not good on the road.

[Zukin]

Hey

I definately have a 13/48, and yes it is low
This is why I want to change it to a higher ratio

So you think a 13/42 will be ok?

Cheers Scott

[merv]

13/42 is just over 130km/hr at 9,000 rpm if you are running a 120 or 4.60 tyre or equiv on the back. That's just over 6,700 rpm at 100km/hr - as long as you are happy with that.

[Zukin]

Thanks for your help Merv

Well as I am wanting to go away for a few days at the end of the month, and the new bikes dont arrive until late August, I thought I have better get the Ole XR into shape!

So on the weekend I installed the larger tank (15 litres), so that will help me get a little further without refills
It is actually for an XR400, but it fits perfectly onto the 250 without any modifications.
Only took a few minutes for a mechanically challenged person to do.
Luckily I only put in a splash of fuel to check for leaks, as there was a few small drips coming from the tap, a new O ring sorted this out.

So next is to get a rack setup on the back, so I can carry the tent and then some panniers for the other gear.
Hope to get a look at this, this weekend.

Then I need to change the gearing (and probably the chain too ) and then I have to get two tyres (as mine arent currently highway rated). I will also get heavy duty tubes fitted at the same time.

The its a full service and then hopefully if all goes to plan its on the road on the 25th August for a few days

[merv]

You'd have a 48 or 50T back sprocket on your XR250, the new L runs a 40T so you could change to one of those or source a bigger front sprocket which is easier to change and if you go up only 1 or 2 T you can usually get away without changing the chain. My old XR I used to run 13T trail and 15T road. The L is 13/40 so I've bought a 48 for it plus longer chain in case I do take it heavy trail riding - haven't ever fitted it yet because the chain guide on the L also needs changing to take the bigger sprocket.

I still reckon that once you've done the rides on the old XR when you get the DRZ's you won't be impressed in the end. The XR has a much lazier vibration and smoother engine than the buzzy Suzuki and if you can cure the sticky throttle problem you are a whizz

[Zukin]

I still reckon that once you've done the rides on the old XR when you get the DRZ's you won't be impressed in the end. The XR has a much lazier vibration and smoother engine than the buzzy Suzuki and if you can cure the sticky throttle problem you are a whizz

HAHA - You are like the little Energizer Bunny, just doesnt give up!!!

The new 07 model DRZ will be much better, so I will reserve judgement until they arrive (thats what we are waiting for)

Cheers Scott

[Zukin]

Now you are confusing me with all this sprocket stuff

So I have on my bike now a 13/48

So the bigger the front sprocket the higher the gear
and the same by changing to a smaller sprocket on the rear?

So when you as 48, I take it thats the teeth on the sprocket? what is T mean after some of the sizes you refer too?

So maybe I go to a 13/40, what sort of RPM/speed does this give me/

Cheers

[merv]

Just T for teeth. See if you can get a 14 or 15 for the front of your XR I reckon that would do it - cheaper than changing the back sprocket and the chain.

As for the 2007 DRZ is it the usual a different paint job? - that will make all the difference.

[clint640]

So where are we going on the 25th? I've got that weekend free...

Cheers
Clint

[Zukin]

Hey there

Probably around the East Cape, then up to the Coromandel??
Thats the rough plan??

Cheers

[merv]

My comments above on gearing were initially about the Suzuki which is why we might have sounded a tad confused but once you confirmed in post 8 it was the Honda I then talked about that. Does that help? So all the earlier talk about 14/42 etc is about the Suzuki.