MotoUtah: Motocross and Off-Road Riding in Utah

I've searched old threads and haven't found enough feedback for this.

My 08 KLX450R has stock 13/50 sprockets, and has a nice range from tractor to about 80 on the flats. But in some faster races I think it would be nice to move up some.

I know you fastest riders might be in the 14/48 range, which might be too much change for me?

So I thought of just changing front to 14. I'm not just looking for higher speed on flats, because I rarely need it at my level. But I'd like a taller 1st, 2nd & 3rd.

And for the tighter terrain I'll just go back to stock.

Is my thinking logical, or will the one change make enough difference?

Your giving out your secrets

desertjas wrote:


Going faster than 80mph on a dirt bike is never logical.

I've heard that 1 tooth in front=4 teeth in the rear. Or is it 2 in the rear? Anyway I went up a tooth on my front sprocket and got quite a bit of change. I'd go with that and if you want more, go down in the back.

One tooth on the front equals three on the rear. Going to 14/48 would probably give you a top speed of 100 plus. I would start by purchasing a 14 tooth countershaft sprocket and trying it out. I will switch my front sprocket between a 13 or 14 tooth for low speed or high speed courses. One tooth on the front is a pretty big jump in gearing.

Lech 212 wrote:


Not being able to top 80mph on a dirt bike is unacceptable.

1 tooth up front is about 3 up on the rear. If it was me and sounds like we do similiar riding, I'd just do the 1 tooth in the front.

desertrat222 wrote:


Yeah...secrets to try to dominate an ageing novice class!! Everybody should follow my technical commentaries for the edge I can provide!

I guess I'll have to look at the room I've got with chain, but are you often having to remove or get longer chain? **I don't plan to change rear sprocket yet.

desertjas wrote:


No, usually with the front you just got loosen up your chain a bit... If you don't plan on running the bigger one all the time Rocky Mountain's "Primary Drive" countershaft sprockets are good and really cheap.