16T vs 15T sprockets

[alantf]

I've got the stock 15 tooth, & I've listened to all the comments about first gear being all but useless. I've never had any problem, so today I decided to do a check. Riding normally, pulling away from stopsigns I kept an eye on the speedometer. I found that I was accelerating comfortably in first, up to 30km/hr (20mph) before I needed to change to second. In the handbook, first is shown as 2.636 (29/11) which I assaume is the same as American GZs, so I can't understand the difference. :??:

[MadCityRider]

Originally Posted by alantf

I've got the stock 15 tooth, & I've listened to all the comments about first gear being all but useless. I've never had any problem, so today I decided to do a check. Riding normally, pulling away from stopsigns I kept an eye on the speedometer. I found that I was accelerating comfortably in first, up to 30km/hr (20mph) before I needed to change to second. In the handbook, first is shown as 2.636 (29/11) which I assaume is the same as American GZs, so I can't understand the difference. :??:

I'm not sure either, but with the 15T, I never got anywhere near that. Do you shift at a pretty high RPM?

[cayuse]

I'm check on that on my way home today. I'm running the 15T for now, but much prefer the 16T.
note: at 30kph you are doing 6100rpm on 15T
on 16T that is reduced to 5700rpm, not a big percentage but it feels significant

And Alan, it's not a problem, it's just 'better' to most people when they move up a tooth. How much do you weigh, if I may ask?

[cayuse]

OK, I paid more attention on my way home today, and when I'm accelerating from a stop 'aggressively' I'll get it up to 30kph in about 20 feet. When I'm less motivated I'll let it wind up to about 25kph. My 'aggressive' shift points are 30kph, 50kph, 65kph, and ~85kph

[Strelok]

I can't understand the need to make 1st gear more useful. It is what it is.
Doesn't make sense to gimp 5th gear for the sake of 1st. 15T for me.

:popcorn:

[cayuse]

See my 2nd post....
If you rarely hit the highway, the 16T is a definite improvement, IMHO.
This season I'm doing a lot more x-country so I actually like the stock gears.
I posted recently in the "log your rides" thread about my trips up into the mountains around here with both the 15T and 16T gears. It turns out I really like the stock gears best when riding at speed in the hills.

[Strelok]

cayuse~

I'm in Texas. You can't go anywhere without using the Highway.
And even if you're not on one people still drive like they are.

Thanks for your Post. Made me decide to forget about the 16T.

Also forget to mention I live in the "Hill Country".

:tongue:

[cayuse]

yeah, probably not for you. Not for me either right now, but it was good while I was in my city-ridin' mode.

On a side note, I drove through Tx last August and I think I saw 3 dudes on motorcycles the whole trip. It was just too damn hot to ride. That was on Hwy 10 from El Paso down to San Antonio. I'd love to ride down there but probably on something bigger than a GZ and definitely not in August!

[alantf]

Originally Posted by cayuse

And Alan, How much do you weigh, if I may ask?

Around 157 lb + riding gear (helmet, jeans, T-shirt, body warmer)

As to the "aggressive riding" question - No, I'm a pretty gentle rider. It certainly doesn't seem like I'm doing over 6000 revs before I change.

[Strelok]

cayuse~

You should have been down last week in Austin.
We had 50,000 Motorcyclists here for the ROT
( Republic of Texas ) Rally. It's never too
hot to ride here as long as you don't
wear a Full-Face Helmet. I like
Half-Helmets year around.