I'm buying a new chain and sprocket set this weekend. I have a few questions though. I can't decide whether or not to go with a -1/+2 setup or just stay with the stock gearing.I'll be commuting alot this year (50 miles a day) so I don't want to be buzzing at 7k at 70mph. Will a -1/+2 setup be ok for commuting? Is the acceleration difference even worth going witha conversion setup? And lastly what online stores carry these kits? Thanks alot!

 

you are about the 100,000,001 person to ask this.. do a search and read on for hours.. but -1+2 is very common, if you just want a little more pickup and dont wanna worry about a jump in revs on highway just go in the middle and get -1 front sprocket and keep everything the same can get a steal 15 tooth sprocket for about 30 bucks

 

CanI ask you why you are doing this mod? Do you have a specific result in mind? If you are commuting, I would leave it stock.

 

I'm with voodoochill on this one. There's a couple things you want to consider before you make the change. Such as, by changing your sprocket size(s) your speedometer/odometer will be a little more off than stock inaccuracies. Second, if it is acceleration you want, then you can consider just a -1 in the front as bobjoezx mentioned. By increasing going -1/+2 the rpm increase really won't be that much, maybe 700 +/- at highway speed.

So what did you have in mind by doing the change? Giving it a little more low end grunt? If so, then you will have to accept some top end loss, that's just part of the game. But, you really wouldn't lose that much. You might consider a conversion. I don't know what bike you have and what size your chain is, ie...530, but dropping down to a 520 with the sprocket change would reduce stationary mass, and therefore decrease rotational mass, which, won't gain you any horsepower, but you will notice a torque improvement. As one the most inexpensive mods (because it's being done at maintenance time) you might find it's what your looking for.

 

Isn't the speedometer on a F3 mechanical (in the front wheel) I know its is on my F2, therefore your speed would not be off.

I have a -1/+2 and it is alittle buzzy on the freeway but I don't spend alot of time on there so it doesn't bother me. If you spend alot of commuting time on the freeway stay with stock or just go with a -1 front you will feel a difference and it won't be too buzzy at high speeds.

P.S. On my bike with my setup (-1/+2)the top speed is around 126-132 just to give you a hint of the impact the sprocket change does.

 

I would leave stock since it is for commuting. If you were stunting or something where you absolutely needed the acceleration, then I would say do the change. Otherwise stock is plenty ok.

 

I have the Vortex/RK 520 kit on my bike it's -1 on the front and stock teeth on the rear with a light weight aluminum rear. My bike picks up better,b ut is not night and day differant. If you are going to use you bike as much as you say then I would not go with more then -1 on the front. My dealer got me the 520 kit fot $166.00.

 

I use my bike mostly for commuting also and I run a -1 in the front setup. I do alot of highway riding so this suits me fine, a lil quicker with the -1 over stock, but everyone knows that. I believe the -1 +2 setup would be more of a track setup. It's all about what your planning on doing more of. Whatever you decide I would recommend going with steel or hardened aluminum rear for durability and deffinatly go with D.I.D. on the chain. I had the 520 Vortex/RK conversion, the aluminum sprocket held up OK but the RK chain had to constantly be adjusted.

 

Thanks alot for the answers guys! To answer some questions you guys had; the reason I'm doing this is because I need new chain and sprockets anyways. So I figured I might as well get a little mod out of it too. It will be mostly commuting but every weekend I plan on tearing it up in the twisties! -1 on the front sounds good. I've read that going up 2 on the rear is a good compromise as well.