or maybe 2? have you noticed how smooth the V is around 6k rpms, and how vibey it is around 5k-ish? Seems a lot of folks either up a tooth in the front or go down 1 or 2 in the rear, but has anyone geared their V lower? thoughts?

I think I will go 1 or 2 up in the rear when it's time. Most of my riding is in town, so even more oomph would be good. The V is so smooth with the Arrow lit, that I no longer ming running higher RPM on the highway. If most of my riding were highway, I'd probably go up a tooth in front.

In my opinion I think it's already geared low enough... I'd like to gear it a little higher even to try and get better MPG on the highway...
But if you're looking for a real torque monster, or maybe to try and create a sort of stunt bike, you could add a tooth or two to the back.

Just remember that if you do this, you will have a speedo that is off even more than it already is (mine indicated 55 but by GPS I was only doing 50). When I changed to a 16 tooth front sprocket, the speedo now reads 55 and I am doing about 54.5 by GPS.

i find it much better with 16 tooth front ,speedo is spot on , in the twistys i usualy run in lower gears and let engine rev . i find the 16 tooth conversion well worth it just to put speedo right , if you dont like the gearing in top then dont use it , just run round in 5th gear . most cars have top gear as an overdrive so why not bikes ?

Is it a 15 tooth stock?

Yes 15 tooth is stock

Frankly, with the speeds I like to fly at, it's better I think I'm going faster than I am. Besides, I can pretty quickly subtract 5 from whatever the speedo reads.

Wrong Thread

Yes, I realize that; just wanted to point out the fact that the error will be made worse by adding teeth to the final drive in the rear.

It's a little more complicated than adding or subtaracting 5 every time, the speedo is off by a percentage not a solid number.... using the 55 to 50 conversion, you can see that the speedo is off by roughly 9.5 percent... so for example 55='s 50, then 44='s 40, 60='s 54... and so on and so forth... but all in all... it's not that big of a deal...

I live in Cedar Rapids IA. I replaced my stock 15 tooth with a Sun 16 Tooth. I went from a 3.08 gear, to a 2.88. I have noticed that my bike rides great. Went on a 200 mile trip the other day, everything great. Then took my wife for a 100 mile ride, no problem, even at speeds up around 75 mph. Highway hills no problem.

Hi people... Does anyone know if or which models have the 16 tooth that fits. ie does the ER6n or other have a 16 and is it compatable.
can only get original 15t or aftermarket 16 with no rubber siliencing rings.
any info would be grate
regards Ron

a zx6 sprocket fits part no 13144 -0038 or renthal do one .

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zx6 16 tooth sprocket sku 13144-0038 to fit versys.jpg (179.5 KB, 77 views)

I went to my Kawi dealer and got the oem part 13144-0038.

It fit right on and has the rubber damper. Cost around $34 US dollars but I thought it worth it.

funny how this thread got jacked from "adding a tooth to the rear" to "all about 16t fronts" Gotta love it.

It's not hijacked at all. The real subject is gear ratios. Dig out that calculator and see what the true ratios are compared to each other.

Yes the GREEN Versys is about 8.65 MPH FASTER than the Others on a good day with a tail wind ! I think that the renthal sprockets make it FLY!!!

Reduction Ratio
1st. 3.07 (46/15)- Origanal
2nd. 3.00 ( 45/15)
3rd. 2.88 (46/16)
Which on is better for gas milage. I bump up to clost to 60 mpg. and I cant even realley notice the taller gearing. The rear sproket is made by SUN. I bought mine through a dealer here in Cedar Rapids IA for $15.00, and $70 for the install. When gas goes back up to $4 a gallon, HELLO. Front is a lot cheaper than the rear gear to replace, and you gain more with the front gear than the rear gear for MPG people like me.

I believe that the torque curve of this bike is so flat that dropping gearing will do little but waste gasoline and compromise power at high revs. Given the flatness of the curve, I am actually thinking of gearing up. I can definitely believe the post above, that the taller gearing is not noticeable. Lower gearing would definitely be noticeable. When you are riding aggressively, and you spin past 7K or so, then pover will nose dive. If you want to cruise at higher RPM, it is better to leave stock gearing and just ride in 5th, IMHO. That accomplishes the same thing and does not compromise your high rev power options.

My perspective on engine smoothness... it is a relative thing. Compared to an I4, we are vibey. But, overall, I think the lump is pretty smooth at all RPMs. My frame of reference is a big F650 BMW thumper (would rattle your fillings out) and a big Aprilia V Twin. Even the big V Twin had lots more vibes than the V. The perceived smoothness of the Versys is the primary reason I sold the Teutonic Numbing Device.

Of course, that is $0.02 you can either pick up, or leave lying onthe ground. If someone tries gearing down, I would be interested to hear impressions. I have read many gear up threads, but have not found any gear down threads. I have always geared down, but this torque curve is flatter than any I have encountered before.