OK, I've read all the info regarding changing out my chain to an o-ring chain. Where do I get one? How much should one cost? Since the majority of my riding will be on the street, which sprocket should I get. (thinking the 47 tooth would be good). I have a 2008 TW and love it. Had it about 4 months and hardly ride my street bike anymore. In fact, it is for sale. I put on the Stearns seat cover from WalMart, what a difference. Thanks for all of the info. Ride safe.
Chains/sprockets
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Sprocket depends on where you live and how much off roading you want to do. I've only tried 50T and 44T, but from what I hear 47T is a good compromise for somebody that's like 60+% street and 40% off road. You would not want to climb steep hills with anything lower than stock, but for just cruising or easy riding on offroad trails 47 should be fine.
If you wanna go to 44 you'll drop another 400+ on the engine speed, which makes cruising at 45 mph nice and smooth, the bike's optimal cruise speed. 50 is alright, 55 gets up there and 60+ is pretty fast, but thankfully 1k lower than stock. Only problem with this gearing is the lack of 5th gear power, it feels almost useless and if you go up on any kind of hills - forget about it. Other than that and take offs needing a bit more power, 44T is pretty good for the street.
If you wanna go with 47 and you don't mind taking the engine cover off, you might wanna try 15 up front for 15/50 instead. It's a just barely a little bit taller of a gearing than 14/47 but I've heard many great things about it too, plus a bigger front sprocket is supposed to be better on the drive and the chain. If you think you'd rather go for 44, might wanna consider 15/47 too for the same reasons, same gearing as 44.
If you wanna go to 44 you'll drop another 400+ on the engine speed, which makes cruising at 45 mph nice and smooth, the bike's optimal cruise speed. 50 is alright, 55 gets up there and 60+ is pretty fast, but thankfully 1k lower than stock. Only problem with this gearing is the lack of 5th gear power, it feels almost useless and if you go up on any kind of hills - forget about it. Other than that and take offs needing a bit more power, 44T is pretty good for the street.
If you wanna go with 47 and you don't mind taking the engine cover off, you might wanna try 15 up front for 15/50 instead. It's a just barely a little bit taller of a gearing than 14/47 but I've heard many great things about it too, plus a bigger front sprocket is supposed to be better on the drive and the chain. If you think you'd rather go for 44, might wanna consider 15/47 too for the same reasons, same gearing as 44.
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455 Posts
From what you said, I suggest the 14/47 combo. (I prefer 14/50 for town and trails, 14/47 is nice for street/hwy)
I went with LytleRacing. It was something like $110 shipped for front sprocket, rear sprocket, 130-link DID o-ring chain, and 2 extra masterlinks. I got a great chain tool at the local tami dealer for $20. so I could choose my desired chain length.
Good luck!
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I went with LytleRacing. It was something like $110 shipped for front sprocket, rear sprocket, 130-link DID o-ring chain, and 2 extra masterlinks. I got a great chain tool at the local tami dealer for $20. so I could choose my desired chain length.
Good luck!
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428 Posts
Hi, I just changed my 2009 over to a 47T and O-ring chain. I felt no need to change the front sprocket as the 14/47 gave me what i needed which was just to lower the RPM on the highway but still have trail ability. The o-ring chain is a must as it gives you longer time between adjustments and because it doesnt sag every ride like the stock, shifts are smooth and crisp due to the tension staying put. Just yesterday the wife and I when for a ride out to search for firewood in the back country. The 47T allows us to do 100 Km/h on the highway, but still climb the hills and through washouts with no problem with both of us on it! I love my bike to death and although the 50T stock was nice, the 47T is a real + to the ride-ability. As for where to buy it, I am in canada and found the cheapest place for both sprocket and chain was at our local Yamaha dealer (even being after market parts).The DID chain was even cheaper then Ebay and arrived faster.
So I highly recommend doing the 47T with the chain, but if you have a high milelage front sprocket you should consider changing it out at this time too. Best of luck and ride safe, Chris.
So I highly recommend doing the 47T with the chain, but if you have a high milelage front sprocket you should consider changing it out at this time too. Best of luck and ride safe, Chris.
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7,044 Posts
14/54 Use on pavement at high altitudes where the engine won't pull 5th gear, anyway. 1st is useless on pavement, but very hand for engine braking on steep, rough downhills. Closes up the perceived gaps between gears. My choice for offroad riding, especially in steep terrain at high altitudes.
14/50 and 15/54 Good all-around ratios. No problems in rough terrain or 500-700 mile days on the highway.
14/47 and 15/50 Good for general street riding and easy dirt. 1st becomes functional from stoplights. Less vibration at speed. Best overall fuel economy.
14/44 and 15/47 good for long downhills with high speed limits. 85mph possible. You'll be climbing these hills in 4th gear at 55mph, so no real loss there, lots of downshifting on hills on the highway. The 3-4 and 4-5 gaps become problematic, as in the bike will run 65mph in 4th, then shift to 5th and the engine won't maintain 65. Oddly, hit the same stretch of road at 70 in 5th, and the bike will maintain 70. Lowest vibration at speed. Easier to ride in city traffic because gaps between lower gears are wider resulting in less shifting with changing traffic speeds. Useless on any but the easiest offroad. Tough on the clutch, important since the TW clutch has 1 less plate than other bikes of this engine family.
14/50 and 15/54 Good all-around ratios. No problems in rough terrain or 500-700 mile days on the highway.
14/47 and 15/50 Good for general street riding and easy dirt. 1st becomes functional from stoplights. Less vibration at speed. Best overall fuel economy.
14/44 and 15/47 good for long downhills with high speed limits. 85mph possible. You'll be climbing these hills in 4th gear at 55mph, so no real loss there, lots of downshifting on hills on the highway. The 3-4 and 4-5 gaps become problematic, as in the bike will run 65mph in 4th, then shift to 5th and the engine won't maintain 65. Oddly, hit the same stretch of road at 70 in 5th, and the bike will maintain 70. Lowest vibration at speed. Easier to ride in city traffic because gaps between lower gears are wider resulting in less shifting with changing traffic speeds. Useless on any but the easiest offroad. Tough on the clutch, important since the TW clutch has 1 less plate than other bikes of this engine family.
So if I were to order an o ring chain for the stock 2009 tw200, how many links should I order?
Are there different manufacturers of the chain?
I will be getting a used one next week with about 400 miles, and I thought I would get it right away, and keep the old one for my other tw that has 5300 miles on it.
Are there different manufacturers of the chain?
I will be getting a used one next week with about 400 miles, and I thought I would get it right away, and keep the old one for my other tw that has 5300 miles on it.
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7,044 Posts
Same link count as you already have will fit. 122 for 14/50. Problem is, I don't know of anyone who sells a 122 at a reasonable price--seems they all want to charge $$$ for cutting the chain for you. You can buy a chain breaker on sale cheaper than the upcharge for custom cut chain. Crazy!
If you're still looking, Lytle Racing group has the OEM length O-Ring chain and 15 tooth front sprocket (and the rear in several sizes).
I bought a 15 front/50 rear and an o-ring chain from them. Very fast shipping.
The 15t front sprocket is listed as one for an older Suzuki bike, but fits perfect. I've put 300+ miles on the new setup and haven't had to touch the chain.
Here is what I ordered: (The chain comes with a master link, but I ordered an extra)
Item Name Quantity Price Line Total
50- 733 15 COUNTERSHAFT SPROCKETS FOR SUZUKI 1
121655 D.I.D PROF. SERIES O-RING 428V O-RING CHAIN 1
121622 D.I.D PROF. SERIES O-RING 428V O-RING CHAIN 1
249919 REAR SPROCKETS 1
Cost was $122 shipped and the chain fit perfect. No cutting/changes.
I bought a 15 front/50 rear and an o-ring chain from them. Very fast shipping.
The 15t front sprocket is listed as one for an older Suzuki bike, but fits perfect. I've put 300+ miles on the new setup and haven't had to touch the chain.
Here is what I ordered: (The chain comes with a master link, but I ordered an extra)
Item Name Quantity Price Line Total
50- 733 15 COUNTERSHAFT SPROCKETS FOR SUZUKI 1
121655 D.I.D PROF. SERIES O-RING 428V O-RING CHAIN 1
121622 D.I.D PROF. SERIES O-RING 428V O-RING CHAIN 1
249919 REAR SPROCKETS 1
Cost was $122 shipped and the chain fit perfect. No cutting/changes.
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