DRZ 400 Gearing

P

powderhoundbrr

Guest
I am buying new sprockets and chain for my DRZ400. Does anyone have any suggestions on this stuff? I haven't replaced this stuff before.

I currently have 15/44 gearing and want to gear down to 14/44 gearing (I think) for the dirt. I ride 99 percent trails so I am willing to sacrifice some speed for more slow speed control.

Anyone have any suggestions on this gear ratio or types of chains etc. to buy?
 
SubMann

SubMann

New member
imported post

imported post

Since you are changing chains you may want to go up on the back sproket at the same time. I went to a 46. Riding in Moab on tight trails the 14/46 was still a bit too tall. I think I'd go to a 13/46 for just trail riding.

With the 14/46 my top speed was still the same. The engine just hit higer RPM. Before it ran out of pull. (These tests were done on a closed course with a professional rider)
 
P

powderhoundbrr

Guest
imported post

imported post

Yeah, I just talked to a guy at my local bike shop and they can't get a 44 so I am going to go with the 14/46. Should be interesting. Do you think I will notice a fairly substantial difference?
 
P

powderhoundbrr

Guest
imported post

imported post

With that gearing what is your top freeway speed?
 
C

Cedartree

New member
imported post

imported post

i went from 15-41 (previous owner's gearing) to 15-44, and then 14-47, now i'm trying 14-44 and find it to be a decent compromise. 15-41 was a highway show, 14-47 was great for the woods, and 14-44 seems to beOKfor most conditions, but if i was doing lots of tight woods riding, the 47 rear would go back on. in fact it is pretty easy to change rear sprockets so i could see myself travelling to an event like the Dead Zone with the tall 14-41 gears then swapping out the rearto the 47 for the event. the real but unrealistic solution would be a six speed gearbox... BTW, top comfy speed (engine not too buzzy) with the 14-44 combo is around 110 km/h 15-41 was 130 km/h, and 14-47 was 90 km/h
 
C

cumminscowboy

Guest
imported post

imported post

I did 12-49. I was able to keep the stock chain. It was excellent for tight single track. Lots of wheelies. Top speed was about 70 -75 km/h. Not very good for the highway. I was in the ame position as you, mainly off road and only a lilttle city run when i was bored. It is easy to change the sprockets over and it gives you a chance to look at the sprockets closely. After 10,000 km both my stock sprockets had the tips of the teeth bent over. i picked up my sprockets from rocky moutain atv down in utah. $8 for the fron $12 for the rear. Free shipping with any order over $99. Easy to spend money. Hope this helps in your decision. I was really unsure so i thought i would go all the way to one extreme, for $20 in parts you cant go wrong. It was a big decision to go that way so i didn't have to fork out the money for a new chain.

Wil
 
S

snackdaddy

New member
imported post

imported post

When I ran the 12 tooth front I landed up with the chain cutting into the front of the swing arm and broken teeth on the front sproket.

I switched to a 13/14 and 51 in the rear. It feels okay on the freeway@ 110 (Indicated) 100 Km/h on the GPS
 
D

drz dirtbag

Guest
imported post

imported post

hay fellas

i would like to have a set up so i could change just my front socket (i believe that it would be easier than the back sprocket) so that if i was going to do a tight bush ride i could have the torque that i need for that, or if was going to be a dualsport ride i could change to higher gears quickly. and not have to pull the tire everytime

later randy
 
C

cumminscowboy

Guest
imported post

imported post

In my opinion just changing the front sprocket won't change enough. For the lttle difference it will make i don't think its worth going through all the work. I agree with you its easier just to change the front sprocket and i tried to get away with only doing that before as well but it didn't have the outcome i was looking for. Dosen't hurt to try though. A front sprocket isn't very expensive.
 
tomcycle

tomcycle

Past President DSBC 2004 -2018
Staff member
imported post

imported post

DRZ400 pretty big for a trail bike.

I usually run stock gearing on my drz400s, I find that I probably clutch a little too much but dont have to much trouble on the tight trails.(other than my skill level)

My good friend DrUser gave me a 13 tooth counter-shaft sprocket to try for the 24 hour, I kept the stock 44. Very happy with the results on the Whipsaw day ride. I found that 2 and 3rd was now useful gearing on the tight stuff. When the FSroads opened up I could still maintain 90+ kph (without earplugs) thats a little slower than I would like to travel on the pavement but I usually find a better route than pavement while traveling.

So I say go ahead loose two teeth on the counter-shaft and have some fun

Cheap and EZ

T
 
G

gonebiking

Member
imported post

imported post

Tomcycle, 13/44 with the stock112 linkchain?

Also, do you use a master link (clip type)?

Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top