I have a 00' CBR 929. Currently my bike is stock with16/43 sproket with 530O-Ringchain. I'm looking to convert to 15/43 with 520 RK racing XW chain. I'm getting thechain and sproket set for$157 (not bad). Has anyone change their bike to this setting? if so, How does it ride? How much top end doyou lose? Is there much of a difference at all?

 

This kind of stuff is pretty easy to work out, you just need to look at the ratios (this is the final drive). So

16 / 43 = 0.372
15 / 43 = 0.349

The difference is 0.023. So the percentage difference is

0.023 / 0.349 x 100 = 6.6 %

So, if you are going an indicated 100 mph, you are actually only going 93.4 mph. The stock bike is geared for 170mph so you will still be going plenty fast enough.

Most folk, when they do the gear down change, seem to prefer -1 / +2 (15/45). This is a 10% change thta is quite noticable in riding. The bike just flies through the gears, tons of drive, though the top end suffers. Not that there are too many places around that you can legally do 140mph ..

In terms of ride, -1/+2 puts you at about 5000rpm at 70mph. Fabulous for overtaking (instant power) though it can be a little wearing for long rides on the highway.

Except for the math, the rest is my opinion only. Others may differ.

 

I personally wouldn't do more than -1 front sprocket and leave the rear stock. Anything more and the bike will be even more wheelie happy. No matter what you do you're going to loose some top end.

 

thanks for the feedback; i think im going to go for it. based on the math it doesn't seem likei'll lose too much top end going 15/43