[muliefever]

Yesterday I installed a 47 tooth rear sprocket. instal was easy, stock chain did not need to be altered. Man what a difference on my commute to work. I ride about 10 miles, mostly at 55 mph. The TW feels so much better cruising at 55 mph now. When I use the bike for hunting, I will change back to the 50 tooth, maybe even a 55... Great mod!

 

[darnold87]

Sounds like a dual sprocket setup might work well for ya!

 

[srs713]

Yesterday I installed a 47 tooth rear sprocket. instal was easy, stock chain did not need to be altered. Man what a difference on my commute to work. I ride about 10 miles, mostly at 55 mph. The TW feels so much better cruising at 55 mph now. When I use the bike for hunting, I will change back to the 50 tooth, maybe even a 55... Great mod!

So you are at 14/47 (3.357) ?



What kind of street riding do you do? How much on hills?



I'm running 15/50 (3.333) very close to yours.



This was a good set for running around Wichita, KS, but as I spend more time on the hills here around Marietta, GA I'm feeling the need for a little more torque. The short (<5 mi.) hops I do on the freeways are good with my current set, but I'd take a bit more top end noise in trade for a little more response uphill in the 40~55 mph range. Lots of secondary roads here have steep inclines with 40+ speed limits.

 

[muliefever]

Someday I plan on a dual sprocket set up! Yes I have a 14/47 set up. Where I live is 99 percent flat. A few small hills. Like I said before most of my ride is at 55 mph. So the 14/47 really does good! I can't even imagine using a 45 tooth rear! No way! Just for fun I just rode out back. I have a oak wood lot behind my house, with three deep ridges. I wanted to see if 1st gear would still be useful climbing out of those ravines. No problem!

 

[dhoenisch]

I just installed my 47 tooth sprocket today and my new o-ring chain. Man, what a difference. The bike was much more comfortable at 55mph now. Also, when I was in the 35mph range, I would shift to 5th gear, but now, I keep it in 4th at 35mph and the bike seems to like that. Anyhow, I had too much fun on the bike. Now I need to find time to get the crap done I was supposed to get done while I was out riding.



Dan

 

[triple3jrb]

Where do you guys buy your sprockets from?

 

[lonedave]

I ordered a new EK 428SROZ o-ring chain (130 link) + 2 more masterlinks (chain comes with one, but I wanted to be able to add a few links and use my 54 tooth sprocket if I wanted to) + JT 50 tooth and JT 47 tooth rear sprockets = $113.70 from oemcycle.com. Free shipping. I used a chain tool to break the chain at 122 links and it fit's great, right in the middle of the adjusters. I need to adjust it a second time now, but still have plenty of room. I really like the 14/47 for the road. I can now cruise around in 4th from 35 - 50 mph and have 5th for a nice 60 mph highway run. I'm ~160# right now and still have plenty of pull in 1st to go up some pretty steep sandy, rutted roads and trails easily. I still may try the 50 tooth out or the 50/47 tooth dual sprocket mod.

 

[dhoenisch]

Where do you guys buy your sprockets from?

I just got mine from the dealership for around $30. You can get them via eBay though, which is where I got my 122-link DID O-ring chain.



Dan

 

[buba1]

dhoenisch, seeing you ride an 09, how did you break it in? Bike has no tach and the manual says a third of throttle till 1000 km and 1/2 throtle till 1600 km.

 

[dhoenisch]

I just used my best judgment on RPM. I didn't get the RPMs too high, and I didn't beat on it while riding. I just took it easy. I've surpassed the 600 mile break-in this Spring before I switched out the rear sprocket, but I still don;t really beat on it, but will be taking it on some long rides this Spring/Summer, I hope.



Dan

 

[sinophilia]

I have a TW with the 50-tooth sprocket and the other one with the 45-tooth. At first I had a hard time getting used to the 50-tooth but now when I go back to the 45-tooth the bike feels sluggish (BUT it cruises happily at over 65 mph). I guess 47 may be the sweet spot for street riding, while 45 is probably too small for heavy riders.

 

[corndog]

i have a 1989 tw200. 2550 miles. total stock. i would like for 50 mph to feel a little better. would the 47 tooth rear sprocket be the best size. living in the smokey mt area of e. tn i have endless back roads, logging roads and trails to ride. i am 68 so i don't jump logs anymore but i want it to go up steep stuff and cruise a little better. thanks for any answers

 

[Trail Woman]

I smaller rear sprocket means higher top speed, less power, less acceleration. For example 1st gear will accelerate slower not be able to push as much weight but it will reach a higher top speed. The loss of power means it will not climb as easily either and require gearing down more to climb.

Maybe carburetor/jetting and exhaust mods will give you more pep without sacrificing your ability to climb.

 

[DougDotyTW200]

Just adding a quick reference to the conversation, I am at 15/50 3.33 to 1 and know nothing else other than I can not gear up any further and ride into the wind.

 

[DougDotyTW200]

i have a 1989 tw200. 2550 miles. total stock. i would like for 50 mph to feel a little better. would the 47 tooth rear sprocket be the best size. living in the smokey mt area of e. tn i have endless back roads, logging roads and trails to ride. i am 68 so i don't jump logs anymore but i want it to go up steep stuff and cruise a little better. thanks for any answers

I would say yes !!, I have the 15/50 at 3.33 to 1 ratio and I think my bike is close to optimally suited for what you are describing as 50 mph cruising with me on it. I am a heavy weight on this bike and if you are closer to 170 than my 270 then maybe even a bit higher ratio might suit you.

 

[TW-Brian]

i have a 1989 tw200. 2550 miles. total stock. i would like for 50 mph to feel a little better. would the 47 tooth rear sprocket be the best size. living in the smokey mt area of e. tn i have endless back roads, logging roads and trails to ride. i am 68 so i don't jump logs anymore but i want it to go up steep stuff and cruise a little better. thanks for any answers

Hey Corndog,

Yes, a 47 tooth rear sprocket will help to keep the RPM's a little lower for your on-road travel but it will be at the expense of your bike's ability to do the steep stuff that you mention. With only 12 or 13 horsepower, you have to make some compromises. With the stock gearing, your TW should be able to do 60-65 MPH on fairly level roads without any problems. It will just sound like it is about to blow up!

Brian

 

[frog13]

You folks that have installed an O-ring chain....or X-ring chain. Have you noticed any power loss or sluggishness ; due to increased drag of O -rings. I'm aware of possible drag from neglected open type chains ( OEM chain). TIA

 

[TW-Brian]

You folks that have installed an O-ring chain....or X-ring chain. Have you noticed any power loss or sluggishness ; due to increased drag of O -rings. I'm aware of possible drag from neglected open type chains ( OEM chain). TIA

No...

 

[neckless]

15 tooth front...very happy all around

 

[admiral]

You folks that have installed an O-ring chain....or X-ring chain. Have you noticed any power loss or sluggishness ; due to increased drag of O -rings. I'm aware of possible drag from neglected open type chains ( OEM chain). TIA

Nope.