So ive done four track days and i'm gonna be at ACC 8/4 and was thinkin bout changing my sprocket set up. Ridin a 07 GSXR 600, was thinkin bout doin the -1 front and +2 rear with the 520 chain but not sure. What is the best set up? As i'm slowly trying to get the bike more track and less street. Any advice is much appreciated!
I'm not familiar with Suzuki at all, as I own 5 Hondas right now, but the track bike ('07 CBR 600RR) has a -1/+2 setup on it and I love it. Much better drive out of the corners at most tracks. It doesn't do as well at Road Atlanta with the back straight being as long as it is, but otherwise.......that is a good setup in my opinion.
Why are you going to change it? If you're looking for speed. It's not there. As a new rider, you need to develop your skills. That will pay much much great dividends then a gearing change. The stock stuff is very durable and up to the task. If your looking to go more to the track side with the bike, start with good brake pads, braided lines and quality tires. Then get the suspension sprung properly and refreshed if needed. Then if you've got money, chain and sprockets. Then a good shock and then revalve or upgraded forks.
My GSX-R600 is -1/+2 and it is great for tight tracks like Barber, but I get killed at Road Atlanta on the straights. It does make it harder to keep the front wheel down. I switched the rear to a 43 at Road Atlanta and it made the bike easier to ride, but I noticed the difference accelerating. With the 45 I was in 6th by the time I got to the bridge (about 1/3 of the back straight). With the 43 I was 2/3 of the way before I got to 6th. I am 240 lbs so I am probably holding it back a bit. You will also notice the engine braking more with the -1/+2 setup. Also with -1/+2 the speedo is totally worthless (I know you aren't supposed to look at it).
Yea definately trying to improve my skills. ACC 8/4 is gonna me my 5th track day and still novice in my opinion. Blu/blk gsxr 600, hopefully I can meet some of you chicago area guys out there!! The bikes got SS brake lines full exhaust, upgraded brakes and stock suspension set up for my wheight. Just been reading up on sprockets and everyone saying it improves speed out of corners, just was wondering if it was a good idea. Looking forward to meeting you guys from Chicago area, always down to meet guys to ride with:thumb:
Hey Greg, are you going to be at ACC 8/4? Ive done the north course before and would love to get some feedback.
What he said. If your stock chain and sprockets aren't worn out save your money and use it to buy more track time. Also if your chain is still good you can swap in the stock 750 rear sprocket (45tooth) if you want to do +2 on the rear. You can usually get them cheap Example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/07-Suzuki-G...Parts_Accessories&hash=item20b897ab46&vxp=mtr
That's a good point if you're going to stay stock and are on a budget. A common recommendation is to go -1/+2 as you mentioned in your first post. Your stock setup is 16/43 or 2.6875. Going up 2 in the rear only gives you 2.8125 (45/16=2.8125). That's a mild difference of 4.6% between the two. Going -1+2 yields 3.00 (45/15) for a 11.6% difference. You'll feel that no matter how numb your butt dyno is. If you're inclined to tinker, the 520 conversion with -1/+2 that you referenced in your first post is the ticket. On a long track like Road America you might want to swap to a smaller rear sprocket to get back some of the 11.6% top end that you'd lose in the conversion, if you're concerned about topping out in 6th. There's way more to gearing than top end though.
I ran the 15/43 gearing at Barber last weekend and wished I had my 15/45 back since I really couldn't get the drive I was use to. At -1/+2 at Barber I still never use 6th gear.
I have mine 15- 45 rear and I love it. Most tracks I am good . No need to change it. A lot people do -1 +2 . For me -1 it's big difference . In the future I always can play with rear if I want it to Rocket 46
Mine was -1/+2 when I bought it. If it had been stock I am not sure I would have made the change, but the lower gear is nice on tighter more technical tracks on a 600.
You know what else improves speed out of the corners? Twisting the throttle. It may sound silly but I've worked with a lot of new and intermediate riders and the number one thing I see slow people down is not getting on the gas in corner exits. It doesn't matter how you're geared if you are afraid to twist the throttle open. I'm with Greg, save your money and get some track time, with only 5 trackdays under your belt I'm sure you could drop way more time by spending that sprocket money on buying greg some lunch and talking to him.
Yep. One of the biggest mistakes I see new guys make when setting up their bike is gear too low to "get a good drive." When your new, getting a good drive is more about throttle pickup, gear selection and lines than gearing. I look at gearing from the perspective of what gear I'm in for certian corners, the amout of shifting I'm doing (down and up) and placement of shifts on track.
Thanks for the replies guys, prolly gonna keep it stock for now and get some more Ttime under my belt! Maybe change it up next year, and I would def buy greg lunch and a few beers and soak up all the info he or any coach can throw at me:cheers:
I will definitely be at ACC. I love to talk about track riding. It's even better if someone wants to listen. I've learned most EVERYTHING I know about track riding by doing it wrong first. Then doing it right. I was all excited. Bought new chain, new sprockets. You know! Less rotating mass, better acceleration. Lap time difference? Nearly nothing. But if I buy a sprocket and chain kit, power commander, internet map, slipon and performance parts. I can probably find a half second. I found 4 seconds by getting a bike with 35 less horsepower and learning to ride the snot out of it! Trick parts are cool, but if you want to get better, work on the areas that give the most bang for the buck. Rider skill, good brake lines and good tires. Then as you progress more. A well tuned stock suspension. That combination can take you way far into the Advanced group.