Does sprocketing bring any difference in top speed??

Question

i want to modify my bike by sprocketing but will i bring any difference in top speed? what if i install a K/N air filter and also do the sprocketing?? will this help me to increase both pick up and top speed ?

Answer 1

Changing the sprocket sizes will indeed affect the bike's performance. Putting on a smaller front sprocket or a larger rear sprocket will increase your launch speed, at the cost of your top end. Putting on a larger front sprocket or a smaller rear sprocket will increse your top end, but decrease your launch speed.

Changing the front sprocket by one tooth is about the same as changing the rear by 3 1/2 teeth. Bear in mind, you will have to remove or add links to your chain in order to accomodate the different sprocket ratio. It's best to replace all three components at once (chain, front and rear sprockets), since mixing old components with new components results in rapid wear and earlier failure.

A good way to increase the bike's performance is to install a jet kit, along with a 2-into-1 or 4-into-1 exhaust system (you didn't specify how many cylinders your bike had). Using a K&N air filter can be beneficial in many cases, but sometimes it's not. Airboxes are carefully designed for the bike's engine and alterations can sometimes have a negative effect.

Also, don't remove/add too many teeth from your sprocket ratio, because your bike may not have the power to attain top speed, even with a smaller rear sprocket (I'm speaking from experience here, too. I've got a little Honda 200 that couldn't go over 63 mph with one extra tooth on the front sprocket. I've gone back to the stock gearing and can hit 80 mph now). If you're uncertain about the ratio, try dropping only one or two teeth from your rear sprocket. I'll provide a link to Sprocket Specialists, who may have various sized sprockets for your ride.

Answer 2

You can gain additional top speed by using a larger front sprocket , this reduces the ratio in the same way a smaller rear sprocket does ,but eliminates the need to shorten the chain.
1 or 2 teeth in the front go a long way in the rear you need 4 or more to make a noticeable difference.
And as the other guys said ,by gaining speed ,you will sacrifice some " out of the hole" acceleration.

In answer to your K+N question, the free flowing filter helps a bit, but by it's self does little. The K+N is usually used in conjunction with a pipe and re-jet or re-map.

Answer 3

Yes "sprocketing" will and does affect the top speed. If you go to a smaller rear sprocket you will have a higher top speed but you will lose a little on the low end. If you go to a larger rear sprocket you will lose some top speed and gain low end. Now that's just the opposite of will happen if you change the front sprocket instead.

Answer 4

Some bikes will not pull top RPM in top gear. Going to a smaller rear, or larger front sprocket on these will slow down both acceleration, and top speed. A good test is to find a straight stretch, no traffic, and run up in next to top gear. See how fast the bike goes. Some will run faster in next to top than in top. If it hits redline, but is going slower than in top, dropping a couple of teeth on the back may help. If it is going faster at redline than it goes in top, then a few more teeth on the back will help, both acceleration and top speed. You might be surprised how many models this will apply to.

Tomcotexas.

Answer 5

Any bike has a perfect gear ratio to get the highest speed. Most bikes have a very high top gear for cruising and a smaller rear sprocket wouldn't make them go any faster. There's no easy way to say which way your particular bike needs to go to have that perfect gear ratio.

Answer 6

Ye, a smaller rear sprocket coupled with a larger countershaft sprocket will increase the top end and visa versa....but you will lose some torque with a smaller rear and gain torque with a larger rear.

Answer 7

My 4 seam fastball tops out at about 96 mph, while my 2 seamer at about 93 or 93. You really can't get as much grip on the two seamer as you can on the 4 seamer. The 2 seamer rotates slower, dragging the ball down at the end of the pitch. The 4 seams cut thru the air making the pitch go straighter and actually seem to rise in the end of the pitch.