15/43 gearing and long trips
03-26-2007 | 03:57 PM
#1
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From: Jacksonville, NC
15/43 gearing and long trips
A dear friend of mine is serving in the Coast Guard and is stationed in Maine. In mid-May, he will have a week off the boat before he has to leave again. I plan on taking the 'Hawk up there for it's first (For me) big road trip. It's a ~12 hour ride from my place. I plan on getting a new rear tire (Probably a pilot power, from the reviews I've read on here) and putting a new chain/sprocket set on while the tire is off. Do you think the 15/43 gearing would be too deep for a long trip like that? The decrease in MPG doesn't bother me that much, but how would the engine take it? I've read alot about the popular gearing change, but not much on how it affects long rides. I also plan on getting a speedo-healer so that I won't put more miles on the speedo than I really am. Just thinking out loud to get some opinions. Thanks guys! 
03-26-2007 | 10:01 PM
#4
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From: Jacksonville, NC
), but I don't want the engine to be revved up too bad for a long trip. If the gearing is too tall...all you have to do is downshift. But with lower gearing...theres no 7th gear.Decisions, decisions.
03-26-2007 | 10:10 PM
#5
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From: Gainesville FLA.
That was my problem with the 15/45 set up, I was always looking for 7th on these godforsaken flat sraight roads!! I went back to stock rear and -1 front, still has extra get up but much better rpm range for cruising. You could always do the front for the trip and then the rear after.
03-26-2007 | 11:56 PM
#6
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SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Atlanta, GA
That gearing combo won't stress or cause damage to the engine at normal freeway speeds (65-80 mph). It might be a little buzzy, but you won't damage the engine.
That's the gearing combination I have and I like it for all around riding, but I rarely ride more than an hour at a time on the freeway.
That's the gearing combination I have and I like it for all around riding, but I rarely ride more than an hour at a time on the freeway.
03-27-2007 | 05:11 AM
#7
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From: Purcell, OK
I did the 43 tooth rear and I do mostly high way hear in OKC. At 80mph I am doing 5K....and I can power up 1st and clutch 2nd with no problem. I get about 100 to 120 per tank. Most I have seen on this site have gone with just the back sprocket and a speedo healer not to lose too much on milage per tank. Hope that helps.
03-27-2007 | 08:39 AM
#8
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From: Montreal
I've gone on a few trips (800 km days) since changing to 15/43 and am happy with it. I will admit to being concerned at first (engine revved higher than what I was used to) but I quickly got used to it. If in doubt, as others have said, go one down on the front and hold off on the rear until after your trip.
03-27-2007 | 10:49 AM
#9
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Squid
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 55
From: San Diego
you can try and aquire a spare carrier and put on a different sprocket. i just bought a wheel that came with a carrier and a 48 tooth sproket.
if you can get another carrier put the 43 on that one and you can probably take it with you.
i plan on having one with the stock 41 and the other with 43 teeth
if you can get another carrier put the 43 on that one and you can probably take it with you.
i plan on having one with the stock 41 and the other with 43 teeth
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