I have just under 6,000 miles on my Versys and picked up an oil filter at my dealer today to do another oil change. While I was there I asked the salesman how the Versys was selling. The salesman told me that they were sold out of them. I work 4x10 hour days so I have a 3 day weekend every week. I've been putting about 500 miles on my bike every weekend. I'm thinking of putting a bigger sprocket on the front and taking it to Florida where my son lives for vacation. That would be about 1200 miles one way from where I live.

Sounds like an adventure! A 16t sprocket would help for sure. Don't forget to take pics & post up a report!!

I see alot of people referring to replacing the front sprocket. I understand the advantages. But the installation sounds awful. Why not just replace the Rear sprocket instead?

Its very easy to replace the front sprocket. Plus the front is usually quiet a bit cheaper.

If I do go to Florida I will get a bigger front sprocket to bring the rpm's down. I don't want my engine running for hours at a high rpm. I'd also have to get a cushion or small pillow to sit on or something. My ass starts getting pretty sore after about 75 miles. It's just a thought and something you'd like to do at least once in your lifetime. Three years ago I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Luckily for me it was caught early and I was diagnosed with a stage 2a. I did chemo on and off for 2 years no there's no disease present. I'm 47 and can still outwork the young guys they hire where I work. I'm on vacation in July and then again in October. I may wait until Ocotber when it's getting cold here in Northeast Pa. That would be a nice time to go.

Jim,glad to hear you are clear of Lymphoma.A guy at work is going through the first stages of the same now.It is tough to think about what he is experiencing.Anyway,right now here in 'sunny' Florida,it is thunderstorms every afternoon through the night before the rains clear out.Just the typical summer pattern.By comparison October is really quite nice here.Highs usually in the low 80 degree range,nights usually in the upper 60 range,sometimes low 60's,with nice lower humidity.Would be much more compatible with riding. Cheers........Lefty. P.S.I refer to central Florida,YMMV.

When I picked mine up, the salesman told me the two had been sitting there for a while, I'm the first person to buy one from their store, "most folks think it's too ugly".

Sounds like fun ! I have bought a 16T but haven't gotten around to installing it yet.

Sounds like fun ! I have bought a 16T but haven't gotten around to installing it yet.

How much of a difference would changing the sprocket make?

If I do go to Florida I will get a bigger front sprocket to bring the rpm's down. I don't want my engine running for hours at a high rpm. I'd also have to get a cushion or small pillow to sit on or something. My ass starts getting pretty sore after about 75 miles. It's just a thought and something you'd like to do at least once in your lifetime. Three years ago I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Luckily for me it was caught early and I was diagnosed with a stage 2a. I did chemo on and off for 2 years no there's no disease present. I'm 47 and can still outwork the young guys they hire where I work. I'm on vacation in July and then again in October. I may wait until Ocotber when it's getting cold here in Northeast Pa. That would be a nice time to go.

Jim, TAKE THE TRIP, with or without the sprocket. For the last 3 years, said I was going to buy a new bike. Didn't. This year, without any warning and symptoms were fatigue and easily winded, I had a heart pacer installed as I had a rare low heart/high heart rate problem. I am only 37, and otherwise healthy. Sold my old bike a couple weeks after surgery, bought the Versys against my wife's very vocal wishes, and have not regretted a single thing since. You get 1 chance to do things in life, and I can't think of a better way to enjoy yourself than taking a trip on a terrific bike to go see someone you care for. I lost a brother to Leukemia (he was 26, I was 25), and I have regretted not taking that long over-nighter with him on the bikes we always talked about. TAKE THE TRIP. God Bless and keep you safe.

for god's sake take the trip, i lost my brother to the very same cancer you have, he was diagnosed stage 4 over 8 years ago!!, he died this past monday, he was home with all of his loved one's around, i watched him pass away.... i tried to get him to take a road trip last year when he was doing good, me, him and my best friend...3 guys on the road, raising hell, kicking ass and taking names!! but he wanted to wait till he was feeling a little better, that didn't come.....i'm always happy to hear someone is in remission....god bless you......TAKE THE TRIP.... enjoy....peace be with you

Jim - I agree with MjrRage and tsunamichop that you should take the trip. My wife was hospitalized unexpectedly for a heart complication from Lyme that was going to kill her. After a week in ICU she came home and everything in our lives changed. Take advantage of the time and do it!

The sprocket change is simple, especially if you have an impact wrench. If you want, you could stop here in western NJ and I would change it for you on your way down- it takes no time at all.

Wake up calls are wake up calls and dont we all have stories of what we should have done. If you talk about wanting to do the trip then you shoudl and need to, the hell with any medical issues any day could be the last so do what moves you.
On the sprocket issue what is the harm leaving as is ans just high reving down?

Yes, I'm going to Florida for my vacation in October on the Versys. I plan on going down through the Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive on the way to check out the Fall colors. I will drive halfway there the first day and get a motel. The 2nd day I'll drive the rest of the way. I know my son would like me to come down. It will be an adventure and I won't need a motel when I get there.

...."I may wait until Ocotber when it's getting cold here in Northeast Pa. That would be a nice time to go"

Hey Jim-what city/area in NE PA do you live in? My wife and I have been seriously considering relocating to the Lehigh Valley for some time now. We're there 3or 4 times a year as it is anyway, and we love it there. I'm currently North of Dallas a bit. We have 3 of our 5 girls in that area and will take the other two with us. I'm just waiting for my end of the economy to pick up a bit.....(residential architecture).

Jim,

44t rear sprocket is about $50. Takes at most 30 min to install. The benefits are:

1) You keep the stock cushioned front sprocket.
2) You keep the stock chain.
3) Wheelbase is extended about 1/2".
4) 5k rpm and 70 mph indicated is 68 mph actual.
5) You do not loose the low end snap.
6) IMHO this is the perfect gearing for this bike.

I am lucky enough to get to commute a 120 mile round trip on a combo of freeway and twisty roads once or twice a week. This is the best modification that I have done to this bike. Way more effective than the PC III and the TBR pipe mods.

putting a 44t on the back OR a 16t on the front makes for about the same change in rpm per given speed ..correct?

A 16t front/46t rear = 2.78:1
A 15t front/46t rear = 3.07:1 (stock ratio)
A 15t front 44t rear = 2.93:1

The 16/46 is quite a big jump and has a very definite impact on performance.

The 15/44 is the best of both IMHO.

What does the 15t front/44t rear do to the speedo accuracy? I understood that the 16t front/46t rear made it pretty close to accurate.

BicycleBob - great info:thumb: I like your idea about the rear, not such a big jump as the front sprocket. I went two up on my old bike, and it too was perfect for the bike.
What is the part # of the sprocket you used. Does sprocketspecialist have them, they seem to have good prices.

This is the thread that I posted about this. It has photos and part numbers.
http://forums.kawasakiversys.com/showthread.php?t=932

What does the 15t front/44t rear do to the speedo accuracy? I understood that the 16t front/46t rear made it pretty close to accurate.

Stock combo has the speedo about 5-10% off at any given speed - When I'm going 45mph indicated, it's actually about 40 mph; when I'm going 55-56 mph, it's about 50 mph; etc, etc. I've verified this against multiple radar stands and every one indicates the same thing. According to Motorcycle Consumen News, when they tested the Ver, they were running at 60.8 mph @ 65mph indicated.

You can also just put on a new rear tire that is 150/70/17, better tire and lowers the overall rpm as well.

Jim,
600 miles with the Parkway in there will make for a very long day. Speed limit is 45 and the views are great. I would plan on another 1/2 day for that leg. I ran both the Blueridge and Skyline in 92 and it's a great ride. By all means make any trips you can dream up.