Gearing up- the best way?

**courts** · 24th September 2008, 19:38

The gearing on my wr is too low. what is the best way to gear it up a bit as i find myself short shifting a lot.?

**kezzafish** · 24th September 2008, 23:40

bigger front or smaller rear sprocket, 1 tooth on front = about 3 on rear, count the teeth on both your sprockets then go to your dealer and see what's available as standard

**Crisis management** · 25th September 2008, 07:46

First check what your gearing is, has it been geared down previously, maybe you just need to return to stock gearing?
Ideally, with a chain drive you want the largest sprockets possible as that is easiest on the chain (little sprockets make the chain have to "turn" a lot to get around them) so if your gearing up, look at a larger front sprocket first.
Warning.....there is only so much space available for a front / countershaft sprocket, there are lots of things to hit and you want clearance for mud and debris between the sprocket and the cases etc.
Decide how much of a change you want in the gearing, 3 on the back or 1 on the front makes a difference, you may have to experiment so make sure you have some cash available.
You should change both sprockets and fit a new chain at the same time to get the best life out of all the components but, given you may be experimenting with gearing, you might want to consider a cheap sprocket at the start until you sort out the final gearing you want.

Final thought, what size is the rear tyre? Is it worn badly and/or a lower profile than others, if the tyre is small in diameter that is the same as gearing down the bike.

**courts** · 25th September 2008, 08:14

Choice cheers for that. everything is stock standard with wheels etc.havent had time to count sprockets but pretty sure stock is 13/50 . think i will just add a tooth to the front and go from there

**Crisis management** · 25th September 2008, 08:24

Yet another final thought....make sure your existing chain is long enough if you are adding teeth. Have you got enough slack in the chain to tension it correctly after you fit the new sprocket?

**Danger** · 25th September 2008, 08:59

Originally Posted by courts

Choice cheers for that. everything is stock standard with wheels etc.havent had time to count sprockets but pretty sure stock is 13/50 . think i will just add a tooth to the front and go from there

That will be a big change and a noticeable drop in acceleration on a 250 four stroke.

**courts** · 25th September 2008, 09:26

Originally Posted by Danger

That will be a big change and a noticeable drop in acceleration on a 250 four stroke.

Sooo..... for what i gain in top end speed through the gears there will be a drop in low end?

**scott411** · 25th September 2008, 09:55

you have to watch this as well, you can over gear smaller bikes, KDX200's are a prime example, put 2 tooth on the rear sporcket and you get a faster speed in top gear as it will pull all the way though on softer soil.

do you find yourself on the rev limiter in top gear much? 250F's need to be shifted alot due to the nature of the engine,

**Danger** · 25th September 2008, 09:56

Generally you will gain top speed but you will gain it slower (it will take longer to get there).
I remember my mate and I rode our TT250's down to the volcanic plateu for a few days riding back in the 80's. These bikes are more underpowered than your WR250 I would think without doubt. I geared mine up for more top end but we were both riding full thottle on the open roads and if there was a slight incline or a head wind he would just start inching away from me. There wasn't much in it but it was there. My top speed did not increase at all, the bike was not powerful enough to pull the taller gearing. This would probably not be such a factor on the more powerful 250's these days, but they are still just 250 four strokes.

**courts** · 25th September 2008, 10:37

Well, i am happy with the acceleration and bike is great thru tight stuff but I guess i want a bit more power. Not sure what to do ... had a gytr exhaust on it , was great but it was a 102 db noisy mother.sold for this reason.any odeas

**Danger** · 25th September 2008, 10:40

KTM200!

**courts** · 25th September 2008, 10:43

Originally Posted by Danger

KTM200!

Na overpriced orange poo......could buy a whole new bike for the price of a gear lever....

**Danger** · 25th September 2008, 10:50

Ha ha guess I did ok buying a 12 hour KTM200 for $5000.00 (actually $4000.00 and some contra work) and getting 5 years hard riding on one top and one bottom end.
You will spend more than that on a WR250 and still get no where near the performance of a 200 2 stroke.