I'm thinking about getting an RK chain/sprockets kit for my 954. I heard that the optimum gearing is 1 down (front) and 2 up (rear). Does anyone have this done to their bike or anything close to that gearing? if so, is there a big difference in acceleration/ wheelies and how much does it cut back on top end? also, at 75 in 6th im running 5k rpm, about what are you running at with your gearing?? thanks for the input fellas
-chris

 

We could almost dedicate a whole section to this subject. I dont have a 954 but have ridden a couple, all stock. I do have a 99 900RR that'll out run a stock 954 and yes it's regeared. I only have mine -1 up front and even that was a noticable difference. Optimal? That is a matter of opinion. Optimal is probably stock as Im sure Honda put a lot of time into figuring that out for us. Is it fun? Hell yeah. It will wheelie much sooner, accelerate quicker, and kill top end. Who cares about top end? Whens the last time you had it wide open in 6th gear? If you say lately and often you probably wont be riding much longer. Mine will still probably pull an honest 150-155 with a -1. I dont see any reason yours wouldnt do the same, maybe better, maybe worse. Hard to say until you do it. You will like it though. It added about 3-400 rpm to my normal cruising speed.

 

i agree with gixxereater. i do have a 954 with a -1 in the front. I have also had a +2 in the rear. i have tried different combos and to tell you the truth i like the -1 and stock rear. It depends what you are looking to do. i mostly hit track days more than i ride on the street and the -1 works excellent for me. The speedo has also read 170 with that gearing as well. ( although speedos are off as much as 10% so i doubt that was a REAL speed.) Anyway like gixxereater said earlier when do you ever go 170+ on the streets for a long period of time anyway? The -1/stock rear pulls like a dream for me out of the corners. If all you want to do is wheelies then i would suggest the -1 / +2 rear combo.

 

I haven't touched gearing on a 954, but on my old bike (a 600) it definetly helped out the acceleration and wheeliablility. I'm pretty sure I just did a +1 on the rear. I don't think I would touch the gearing on a 954 cuz I already wheelie easier than I want to, but that's all a personal opinion. I think the 954 pulls like no other with the gearing as is. That's just me... and if you do differently no one can say it was a dumb idea cuz it's all what you want out of the bike.

P.S. I heard that with a -1/+2 you can pull wicked highway wheelies... so if that's what you're looking for... thats the way to go!

 

Im -1 front and +1 rear and that works good for me.