185 lbs. / 84 kg; I mostly ride on tarmac and have the 15T/46T set up. 15/46 works better for me on the S. FLA expressways.

 

I'm at about 205 lbs / 93kg.

I do ride 2up often though. Are you mostly solo?

The way you describe your riding, 15/46 sounds like it's the right choice for you 👍🏻

 

Just wondering how much everyone weighs. I'm only about 75kgs and I am happy with 15/46.

Like scooter CVT tuning; the rider weight plays a role.

I'm almost 100% highway and only venture off road if the asphalt runs out.
If venturing into the hills I have a 110cc Honda. If I drop it I can easily pick it up. If if blows up I can simply push it off the edge and walk home.

 

Let me see if I can find it since my move? I don’t think I pitched it? I can just send it to you if you want to give it a try. I’ll list it as a for sale item. I’m guessing that’s the appropriate way to share contact info. Give me a day or 2 to get to it

 

Thanks for your insights.

 

First off, it was lots of fun and delivered more of a dirt bike experience. The tach needle sweeps the gauge quickly and you’ll be shifting more actively with a bit harder pull to show for it.
For me, it didn’t make sense. It was mostly freeway with even higher revs now and warmer coolant temps. It might make sense for you for mountains and lower cruising speeds. There’s only “so much” to work with.
I think Kawasaki geared x300 down about as much as most would want. Most here have geared up, including myself. It’s not uncommon for me to run 80ish for extended periods to avoid getting run over. It made more sense to me to run a little cooler and a little farther on the mpgs.

 

Pros/Cons of 48T?

 

If I were planning on a long paved tour. I’d drop in the 15T with this 48 for just taller than stock ratio. My usage is mostly under an hour. 30 min past that I’m looking to get off the seat.

 

Glad to hear the good report on the change !

Also good to hear how your Avon Trailriders do on dirt roads.

Have a great week 👍🏻

 

Got out to the local countryside over the weekend. Took the scenic route home, which included miles of dirt roads, some nice hills and curves hehe. Some areas where pretty rough, for a car. Sailed thru at 40 mph on the Vx like nothing. My Avon Trailriders hook up pretty nicely on these roads. Getting the rear to break traction is a thing now with that big 48T out back. Handling was still very predictable. Never felt like it was trying to get away from me. Definitely added to the experience tho! Took on a pretty steep mowed grass incline In my brother’s back yard. Tractored right up it slowly in first. No need to carry momentum, or shortage of torque just off idle. Didn’t spin at all either. I was kind of expecting to on the slick turf. I was mentally prepared to abort the climb and not tear up the bro’s yard. Not even a problem.
I can’t help but look a little funny at the 15 toothers. I don’t think you get the strengths of this mini ninja engine and are really missing out on something. I mean, you can lower the revs, but why? Up top is where the power is and the engine gladly spins up without overworking itself. No judgement, just sayin...come over to the dark side and unleash the beast 👊💪😎

 

Poor choice of words on my part...not a woke bike. I’d have to ghost ride it off a cliff.
I meant to include some more info:
Top speed 102 MPH, rev limited
10k=80mph
9k=72
8k=65
7k=57

 

... I’d have to ghost ride it off a cliff.

🤣 You are all right @Itsgordo
Thanks for putting up with the likes of me 🇺🇲

 

Thanks for the write up! I like your unconventional thinking! Maybe a little surprised you'd have a woke bike though. 🤦🏼‍♂️😇😉

 

Well almost a week, I’m really liking the improved performance of this gear ratio. My Vx has some get up and GO! Pulls away from stop lights and traffic much better. The RPM needle quickly sweeps the dial. Power band comes on strong. Engine runs smoother at low RPM too. Surprising the difference 2 teeth make on torque. My MPGs dropped 3.5. Less I’m sure if I weren't predominantly on the freeway. Runs more like a dirt bike now.
If you’re wishing that he Vx came in 400cc, enjoy off-roading, or just want to maximize the performance of 300cc, the 14/48 ratio might be for you. The 48T really woke this bike up!

 

We’ll see how I feel about after a week of commuting. Should see how mpg are affected by then. I’m normally about 58 mpg on a mostly freeway commute.

 

Don't fear the revs indeed! I like it - thanks for the write up 👍🏻

 

Got her mounted up and had a nice test ride. Initial impressions are, that the bike is properly geared now. It’s pulling stronger in every gear and spins up quicker than before. The surprise came on the freeway. At 80 mph the tach is at 10k. Opening it up, she still hits 100, getting there noticeable faster. I was able to hit the rev limiter with a bit more effort at 102.
So I don’t really feel like I lost any top speed. It is quicker/easier to achieve top speed and pulls better across the whole range. I’m not really noticing higher revs so much. It rev’d already. If anything, the engine felt smoother, less strained and more responsive. Think I’m going to like this.
First shot is the new sprocket sitting on top of the OEM. Second is mounted up.

 

Found a sprocket on my front porch. Visual inspection looks good. Ultra strong carbon laser cut steel, electroplated black, looks like less material than OEM. They’ve milled down the face a bit from the outer teeth area further reducing mass: .235” outer, .200” inner thickness.
Wish I had a scale to accurately measure weight difference. I’ll shoot them stacked on each other for comparison when I put it on tomorrow.

 

Got mine ordered finally

 

Woo hoo ! I bet you will be able to pull a 4-bottom plow with that thing.

 

Hello all,
Still fairly new here and was wondering if anyone is running a 14/48 gearing combo on their X.

There are some videos on YT showing how to pull out stumps using a spare tire!

 

You’ll be fine on chain length. Embrace the revs!

 

You’re certain to find a little more torque.

 

Would doing so require a new chain? I wouldn't think so but I'm no expert either on sprockets and chain lengths.

 

I would definitely try the 14/48 combo in your situation. Majority of my time is spent in the 75+ mph range. I’d be doing the same otherwise. Even so, I might check it out.

I’ve tried 16 & 15 up front. Came with 16 from previous owner. Gear indicator went out a week later with check engine light. Found my way here to find out 16T was the issue. I reverted to stock gearing with 14T rest of the riding season. Tried the 15 for a month early this season, but didn’t like how the bike performed with it. Back to 14 now. I do find myself curious about 14/48. That is RyanF9’s preferred gearing for the bike.

 

I'm seriously thinking about trying it. 1st gear will almost be useless except for maybe climbing some steep hills off-road. That's all assuming it will actually change the torque dynamics and put the gear ratio in a better place for powering up these mountain sides here at Deals Gap and the Dragon.