I have been thinking about switching from the stock 16T front sprocket to a 17T for a while now. After reading all of the post I could find on the forum, I pulled the trigger last week and ordered a JT sprocket. Installation was pretty easy once I got a 30mm socket.
Today was the first time I had the chance to take it out for a comparison spin which included freeway, mountain, and twisty road time.
Here's what I found..
When taking off from a dead stop in first gear it takes just a little more mental effort when letting out the clutch. Now I have Pazzo's and since I've already adjusted the distance between the lever and the grip already it really is a non issue about the little extra off the line lugging with the 17T.
I've read about the increased chain/sprocket noise and vibration associated with aftermarket sprockets and while it's definitely noisier than the stock one it's not something that I can't get used to especially when I wear my ear plugs which I didn't do today.
I didn't notice any less pep when running through the gears although it seems as though you have to stay in the "sweet spot" rpm wise to avoid low rpm sluggishness.
The biggest improvement I did see, which is the main reason for my changing to a 17T, was the smoothing out of the throttle response both coming on and off the gas. I'd already adjusted the throttle play which helped immensely but the extra tooth really seemed to take almost all of the remaining twitchiness out of the equation, especially in corners. :thumbup:
And having the speedo be just about dead on didn't hurt either although I felt like I was going slower than I was used to everytime I would look at my speed.
Hopefully this will help any of you contemplating a switch up to a 17T sprocket.
And of course YMMV and this is IMO and not backed up by any scientific data...
Today was the first time I had the chance to take it out for a comparison spin which included freeway, mountain, and twisty road time.
Here's what I found..
When taking off from a dead stop in first gear it takes just a little more mental effort when letting out the clutch. Now I have Pazzo's and since I've already adjusted the distance between the lever and the grip already it really is a non issue about the little extra off the line lugging with the 17T.
I've read about the increased chain/sprocket noise and vibration associated with aftermarket sprockets and while it's definitely noisier than the stock one it's not something that I can't get used to especially when I wear my ear plugs which I didn't do today.
I didn't notice any less pep when running through the gears although it seems as though you have to stay in the "sweet spot" rpm wise to avoid low rpm sluggishness.
The biggest improvement I did see, which is the main reason for my changing to a 17T, was the smoothing out of the throttle response both coming on and off the gas. I'd already adjusted the throttle play which helped immensely but the extra tooth really seemed to take almost all of the remaining twitchiness out of the equation, especially in corners. :thumbup:
And having the speedo be just about dead on didn't hurt either although I felt like I was going slower than I was used to everytime I would look at my speed.
Hopefully this will help any of you contemplating a switch up to a 17T sprocket.
And of course YMMV and this is IMO and not backed up by any scientific data...
