43T or 42T

[Ed.]

I've read the other threads on rear sprockets and can see this is a mod I'm happy to do. Just a quick question for those who've done this, does the 43T make much of a difference from standard, or do you need a 42T to feel it?

I'm a tourer and a lazy scratcher, so the longer gearing will suit me.

[smithy]

Just 1 tooth will make a difference. I have had a 42T on mine for over 4 years and no ill effects. Takes it out of the "buzz" zone at motorway speeds. My daily commute consists of 45km of motorway each way so makes for a much more relaxed ride. If doing track days or playing on the weekends l can plonk the stock 45T on, only takes 15mins to do.

Smithy.

[Ant]

Originally Posted by smithy

Just 1 tooth will make a difference. I have had a 42T on mine for over 4 years and no ill effects. Takes it out of the "buzz" zone at motorway speeds. My daily commute consists of 45km of motorway each way so makes for a much more relaxed ride. If doing track days or playing on the weekends l can plonk the stock 45T on, only takes 15mins to do.

Smithy.

Been reading up on this topic and your posts which makes me want to go with a 42T.

What brand do you recommend? Oh, and do I want a 525 whatever that means?

You've been the root cause of my recent XR spending spree hope you're happy.

 

[smithy]

Originally Posted by Ant

Been reading up on this topic and your posts which makes me want to go with a 42T.

What brand do you recommend? Oh, and do I want a 525 whatever that means?

You've been the root cause of my recent XR spending spree hope you're happy. 

I don't think brands matter too much, most of them are ok these days. I run an aluminium rear sprocket on mine, has done over 40k km and it's still good. Some don't like aluminum sprockets, but l've had no issues.

Sorry to be the root cause of your addiction..😁

Smithy. 

[Deano747]

Originally Posted by Ant

Oh, and do I want a 525 whatever that means?

The 5 part just describes the distance between the centers of the link pins (or wherever on the links, basically how long a link is) and the next two numbers describe the width of the chain. So a 520 chain is going to be narrower than a 525(and thus require a narrower front and rear sprocket) and lighter...this is not necessarily a good thing. Wear and durability will be affected, so you can expect your chain to not last as long, especially with the copious amount of torque that our bikes produce, all to save a few grams of rotating mass.

[robd1]

Hi Smithy. I see that you are in QLD. I have been searching for a 42T but am having difficulty locating one that I would have to import or that doesn't cost almost double the 43T sprocket. Any suggestions? I'm in Perth.

[smithy]

Originally Posted by robd1

Hi Smithy. I see that you are in QLD. I have been searching for a 42T but am having difficulty locating one that I would have to import or that doesn't cost almost double the 43T sprocket. Any suggestions? I'm in Perth.

I bought mine from the UK actually, easier to find and cheaper than trying to find one here in Aus. All the Gen-1 R's, RR's and XR's use the same sprockets, front and rear....So searching for all three may help

This is the one I have, free shipping too..:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/144562973651?hash=item21a89febd3:g:sFUAAOSwIvFih2Oh

Here's another 42T here in Aus, spendy though..:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/284676134962?hash=item4248051832:g:xHUAAOSwzfBiHgkU&frcectupt=true

This AFAM one is worth a look, from Sydney, decent price too..:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/255380582228?fits=AUM_Make%3ABMW&epid=11053444429&hash=item3b75de6f54:g:HJgAAOSwFQliBc7~

Smithy.

[lospsi]

I got a 44T rear sprocket installed (mostly because there was a 45T available) and I didn't noticed any differences. Maybe you should definately go for 42T to get the easier running you want.

[robd1]

Originally Posted by robd1

Hi Smithy. I see that you are in QLD. I have been searching for a 42T but am having difficulty locating one that I would have to import or that doesn't cost almost double the 43T sprocket. Any suggestions? I'm in Perth.

Originally Posted by smithy

I bought mine from the UK actually, easier to find and cheaper than trying to find one here in Aus. All the Gen-1 R's, RR's and XR's use the same sprockets, front and rear....So searching for all three may help

This is the one I have, free shipping too..:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/144562973651?hash=item21a89febd3:g:sFUAAOSwIvFih2Oh

Here's another 42T here in Aus, spendy though..:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/284676134962?hash=item4248051832:g:xHUAAOSwzfBiHgkU&frcectupt=true

This AFAM one is worth a look, from Sydney, decent price too..:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/255380582228?fits=AUM_Make%3ABMW&epid=11053444429&hash=item3b75de6f54:g:HJgAAOSwFQliBc7~

Smithy.

Thanks for those options. I'm sorry that I didn't see those sooner as I settled for a 43T which was available here in Perth. I'm waiting for the dealer to tell me to pick it up.The wholesale price was around Aus$45 but the dealer will obviously put a handling fee on that. If this isn't enough, I'll look at the sites that you have posted.

[smithy]

Originally Posted by robd1

Thanks for those options. I'm sorry that I didn't see those sooner as I settled for a 43T which was available here in Perth. I'm waiting for the dealer to tell me to pick it up.The wholesale price was around Aus$45 but the dealer will obviously put a handling fee on that. If this isn't enough, I'll look at the sites that you have posted.

You'll enjoy the 43T, will make a noticeable difference. I think there was a chap who fitted a 41T some time back...but I suspect the 41T may have the chain rubbing the upper swingarm protector rather hard under load. I have no evidence of this though, just going by the 42T I have fitted, it's very close.

Smithy.