On my ktm200exc I run a 14-48 for laning and a 14-52 for mx practice tracks.
The 14-48 allows me to cruise around 50mph and a bit without screaming whilst giving me pretty good gearing on the lanes. However for the up and coming LDT I am wondering whether to change. Reason being for the very slow technical stuff 1st gear is too low and bike easily breaks into the powerzone and 2nd can be a bit tall - and cause occasional stall. So question is do I go to say 14-46 and have a bit more control in 1st gear or do I go 14-50 and do technical stuff in 2nd? I feel the 14-46 might be the best solution and maybe better for laning (with roadwork) in general. I have spare sprockets of all the above so won't cost me - except no time to try before Sundays event.
Thoughts please.........
The slower the bike goes in first the more time you will have to think about what line to take and how to handle each obstacle as you happen on it.
Sounds like your mx gearing would be better for the event.
My crm did 95mph in top on standard gearing, but after revving out in 1st it laboured in 2nd. Changing from 14-42 to 13-45 transformed the bike. Top speed reduced to 75mph. I now ride in 2nd instead of 1st, 3rd instead of 2nd etc. The gears are closer together and it is easier to find the right one. More importantly I always have the option of a lower gear so I can leave the clutch alone and concentrate on throttle and steering.
Having to learn how to use different gearing on the day of the event will probably be a handicap.
Good point from Kerry about softening the hit from the powervalve with a stiffer spring.
Pete - you are right about slower for more time - but that also goes against the current setup as 1st gear is only good for say 0-10mph and by 6mph its starting to buck!! 2nd gear maybe good for say 6-15mph but if its gets too steep or I'm crawling thats when it stalls. Reducing to 46 (or further as Jack suggested) should broaden first from say 0-12mph and increase the buck point and reduce its effects. Mx setup would mean 2nd would be usable (although slightly more firey) but first almost non-useable - plus my road going cruise speed might be sub 50mph. Such dilemma
Actually not at all in this instance as I know I can get up pretty much most of our lanes without too much bother - but never particularly gracefully and I do dab far more than I'd like -- so I'm under no impression of getting anywhere at this event other than having a fantastic day riding an organised route and taking in some new layouts on private land that I wont be able to do at any other time.
Now if I were that competitive the first thing I would have done would be to reduce the playing field by not telling someone (Russ!!!) that he'd posted his entrance form in the wrong house such that it hadn't been received !!
Oh and I meant to say there is no PV spring on the 200s, its actually an adjuster screw giving virutally unlimited settings!! However I have backed this off to runs similar to what the 250/300 boys would refer to as a 'soft spring' setting.
I've heard people say they are fun as you can 'ride on the pipe without killing yourself' - I assume that means to stay in the power band more often. Sounds like fun and seems to make sense.
I have also heard people say 300's are better as you can ride below the power band and enjoy the torque. Also sounds good.
To me in sounds as if your trying to ride your 200 like it was a 300?
Don't really agree with that as talking about how to ride a technical slow speed sections (generally uphill) where on any bike you'd be in 1st or 2nd gear. My bike needs gear 1.5 !! So do I raise 1st or lower 2nd - whilst not increasing pokiness.
As for them being tame - well many might disagree. Bens recent video shows just how quick things can go wrong if your dabbling in the powerband when you don't really want to. They can and do bite sharply. Of course this makes them fun too as long as you stay on board.
Wheely wrote:As for them being tame - well many might disagree. Bens recent video shows just how quick things can go wrong if your dabbling in the powerband when you don't really want to. They can and do bite sharply. Of course this makes them fun too as long as you stay on board.
Who said they were tame?
Your problem seems to be the powerband, on a motor with more torque you could pull taller gearing and have more low end power without nearing the power band.
I dunno, I'm just spit balling really. It just sounds to me like your asking too much of too little engine.
Talking about gearing -'on Sunday I rode with Dave on his new ktm freeride -'that has an 11 tooth front sprocket as standard. Was tiny !! Must kill chains.
Talking about gearing -'on Sunday I rode with Dave on his new ktm freeride -'that has an 11 tooth front sprocket as standard. Was tiny !! Must kill chains.
Got 11 tooth front sprocket as standard on the Pamp and it kills chains :(
LOL
