Calling All Guru's...

[martinfan30]

I can only add from my experience with big bore thumpers. I will follow my own experience and use nothing but quality steel sprockets.

I have hooked alu. sprockets in as little as 300 miles with my XR. Steel is the way to go I think. Less cost than Ti., and more durable than alu.

260 bucks for Ti. sprockets is alot of dough. Not to mention the "call to quote" on the chain.

[maddoggy]

For dunes on a 500 I've always favored steel sprockets and o-ring chains.  I've had just about every sprocket on the market and lately my favorite bang for the buck is the primary drive steel sprockets and o-ring chains from Rockymountainatv.com  They are just as tough as anything I've used before and the price can't be beat.  You can get a 14/47 sprockets/chain combo for $74.99.  Give em a try and I'm sure you'll be impressed.

http://www.rockymountainatv.com/productDetail.do?navType=type&navTitle=Drive&webTypeId=123&webCatId=9&prodFamilyId=9635#vehicleSelect

if those rocky combos last well then that is sure a pretty good buy. may be worth trying. but then again it all depends on what you want quality wise. if you change gearing for terrain then the rocky combos might be the ticket, but if you put on a set and leave it for a long time then the sidewinder would be my choice. of course this is all just my opinion. MADDOGGY

[3Razors]

Dont let the price fool you.  These sprockets are quality.  I have many fellow riders that have also tried these sets out with the same great results.  Sidewinder is good to but way overpriced.  I hate paying extra $$$ for name marketing.

[Friar-Tuck]

 Here's  some chain info:
 Tsubaki Complete guide to Chain:  http://chain-guide.com/toc.html

D.I.D. spec chart :   http://www.didchain.com/specs.htm

 I am not promoting this guys shop, thought it was interesting info:
http://www.quality-cycle.com/truth_about_motorcycle_chains.htm
 Tuck\o/

[GREENKAW24]

I use renthal sprockets and chain. The renthal 520 non oring chain never stretch. Wide open holeshots can put a strain on a chain, and others I have tried in the past have stretched, but not the renthal.
www.pinsonnaultracing.com
www.motosport.com
www.cheapcycleparts.com
all can get you whatever else you need for your bike.

all chain will stretch over time even if it's a minimal amount. even the best chain will, i repeat will stretch some. i would recommend staying away from a non-oring chain. the oring is there to keep the dirt out and we all know that dirt is the primary source of wear on most components. alot of sprocket wear in my opinion is caused by worn chain. check out the thread titled "long term chain care" that answers alot of questions concerning sprockets and chain. its a good read if nothing else.         MADDOGGY

The non oring is a no brainer for racing. The never stretch part was an exaggeration of course, but the stretch is very very VERY minimal.  I have been racing for a long time and the Renthal is my favorite. The worst I have found as far as stretching goes is Tsubaki.

[GDubb]

What do you guys think about the DID ERT2? It looks like the most bling and has a tensile strength of 8100 lbs.  Not bad for $66. I looked at the Sidwinder chains and they arent too outrageously priced but they list a 7000 lb and a 10,000 lb version with a $20 difference between the two. Thats a big gap in tensile strength so I dont know whether I should consider the 7 or 10. Then add $20 for double gold plating and it starts to add up.

Do any of you guys that run Sidewinder sprockets run their chains as well? Stewart? Any advise?


-G

[cbxracer30]

We run the DID ERT chains on all the 5's and 250's we drag race and have never had any problems with this chain. We run sunstar front spockets and sprocket specialist or chris's rear sprockets. You want to go fast try my combo 17 front from a banshee 37 rear from chris's

[stewart]

sidewinder chain and sprocket sets have been flawless,,i have them on my bike 3years no adjustments dyno and ride time

[GDubb]

Does anyone know of a steel rear sprocket with some bling factor? Or are they all just plain 'ol gray steel? I've been looking everywhere. The Sidewinders will be my last resort if I cant find a decent looking steel sprocket. Even though I have a chunk of money right now because of my tax return, I am fighting feeling irresponsible for considering dropping that kind of loot for sprockets given the rest of my financial situation.

-G

[GDubb]

One more question...

If subtracting teeth from the front sprocket gears the bike DOWN...
and subtracting teeth from the rear sprocket gears the bike UP...
Then what the hell is the point of 13-45 gearing? Isn't that combo kind of contradictory? Wouldn't that be the same as or really close to stock gearing or am I misunderstanding the concept of gearing? If that combo worked decent for me then should I just go ahead and run the stock 14-47 and not notice much difference?


-G

[GREENKAW24]

The 13-45 would calculate out to be in between a 14-48 and 14-49 gearing setup. (A tooth and a half slower than stock, if stock is 14-47)

[GDubb]

The 13-45 would calculate out to be in between a 14-48 and 14-49 gearing setup. (A tooth and a half slower than stock, if stock is 14-47)

Slower meaning slower acceleration or slower top speed?


-G

[DoldGuy]

divide the rear sprocket by the countershaft sprocket to obtain your gear ratio. Example 45/14=3.214
45/13=3.461
43/13=3.30
42/13=3.23

As you can see the 42 13 combo has almost the same ratio as the 45 14 set. The higher number ratio yields more torque and less topend speed and just the opposite for a lower ratio.

[3Razors]

Does anyone know of a steel rear sprocket with some bling factor? Or are they all just plain 'ol gray steel? I've been looking everywhere. The Sidewinders will be my last resort if I cant find a decent looking steel sprocket. Even though I have a chunk of money right now because of my tax return, I am fighting feeling irresponsible for considering dropping that kind of loot for sprockets given the rest of my financial situation.

-G

I know all the steel Primary Drive series sprockets I buy from Rockmountain come chrome plated.

[GDubb]

divide the rear sprocket by the countershaft sprocket to obtain your gear ratio. Example 45/14=3.214
45/13=3.461
43/13=3.30
42/13=3.23

As you can see the 42 13 combo has almost the same ratio as the 45 14 set. The higher number ratio yields more torque and less topend speed and just the opposite for a lower ratio.

Good info there... I wrote that down in my notes. BUT... can someone tell me or describe to me in a seat-of-the-pants sort of way to explain what difference I will feel between the 13/45(3.46) gearing I have now and the 14/47(3.36) stock ratio? Basically... what is 1 tenth difference gonna feel like if I would feel it at all? How many teeth or how much of a ratio amount do I have to change before it is REALLY noticeable?

Let me put it this way...  The feeling I am getting regarding the gearing issue is that it is some mysterious and magical thing that no man can suggest a gearing for another man and you must be able to afford to waste money on various sprockets to figure it out for yourself.  REALLY? All I want is a gearing that works decent haulin' ass in the woods but also works decent for haulin' ass in the open... whats so hard about that? Or is the truth that we are all as ignorant of what gearing to select as I am? What do you wide open desert riders that ride with your balls in your throat at 70mph+ run? What do you guys that RIP through the woods dodging trees and tree limbs at a blurry pace run? And WTF is the middle ground? Is there anyone that is an AGGRESSIVE rider in both WOODS and DUNES with experience with gearing? I wanna talk to THAT guy so I can put this s**t to rest. Forgive me if I sound testy, but I am. Choosing a chain/sprocket/gearing combo has turned out to be quite the ordeal and I just want this s**t over with. I cant be the only one this confused and frustrated by trying to understand this s**t so hopefully my headache will help others in the future as well. I get the math. Math is easy. Now somebody help me turn the math(numbers) into seat of the pants. I just need a gear ratio that will suit an aggressive rider in various terrain. And yes, sometimes my frustration gets the best of me.  You guys have no idea how much time I have between the computer and catalogs trying to figure this s**t out. I do appreciate you guys' help and info. Its not like I have anyone else to help me with this crap.


-G