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Sprocket / Ratio Changes
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Arguably the best bang for your buck when it comes to modifications to your bike is sprockets. With sprockets you are able to change your gear ratio.
Sprockets are listed in tooth counts, Front Sprocket / Rear Sprocket. Stock is 16 / 45 for the 06+ R6. To find out the ratio, divide the two sprocket counts together.
Stock - 16 / 45 - 2.81
-1/+0 - 15 / 45 - 3.00
-1/+2 - 15 / 47 - 3.13
As a general rule of thumb, going down one in the front, is the same as going up 3 in the rear. The most popular swap is -1/+2. As you can see it's roughly an 11% increase over stock. This will make your bike accelerate much quicker. In theory a numerically higher gear ratio will result in better acceleration, while a numerically lower gear ratio helps top end/speed. -1/+2, is the max you want to go if you ride your bike on the highway. This will still put 75 MPH under 8k RPM, which is as high as Yamaha recommends for extended periods of time. Also remember higher RPMs generally result in lower fuel mileage.
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Chain Replacement / Size
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Chains and sprockets should be replaced as sets. This is because they wear to each other. If you have very low miles you can generally get away with doing -1/+0 on the stock chain. The length of the chain required will depend on your sprocket counts. This is why most chains come with extra length and you cut them down to the correct length.
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Rivet Links
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On a sport bike a rivet style master link is strongly recommended. It does take a special tool to do. It can be installed without the special tool, but the tool makes it much easier. If your chain breaks it will destroy things, the engine case, but I've seen them cut through swing arms like butter. You can not risk a chain failure. The clip style master links are not recommended for sport bikes, even if they are easier to install.
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520 vs 525 vs 530
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You'll hear lots of people speak of 520 conversion. 520 references the size of the chain and sprockets. 520 sprockets must be used with a 520 chain. Stock is 525, on the R6. The pitch and roller diameter is the same on the common sport bike sizes (520, 525, 530), the only difference is the width.
520 - 1/4" wide
525 - 5/16" wide
530 - 3/8" wide
520 is popular because it's smaller so it weighs less. Less rotational weight is always good. A quality 520 chain is strong enough for most people. The downside is with the smaller chain and sprockets, things will wear faster. So it's a trade off, less weight, but increased wear.
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Sprocket Material
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Front sprockets will be steel. The rear however is available in a Aluminum or Steel. Aluminum obviously is lighter than steel, but will wear faster. It should be noted there are several light weight steel sprockets out there that are very close to the weight of aluminum sprockets at this point. Also they make a steel toothed, aluminum center "hybrid" sprocket as well. To further complicate the options, there are hard anodized aluminum sprockets, which make the aluminum sprockets last much longer (lifespan is supposed to be close to steel).
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Wear / Maintenance
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How long your sprockets and chain last depend on how well you take care of them, material and size. I've achieved (and am still achieving) excellent wear out of my rear aluminum sprocket, but I stayed with the stock 525 size to help with that. Keep your chain clean and lubed are very important. Anytime you wash your bike, or ride it in the rain you need to relube your chain. I can't recommend Amsoil's Chain Lube enough, best stuff I've ever used. You can get it by contacting
Bob here on the forum.
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Speedometer Correction
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If you change your sprockets your speedometer will be off. To correct this you will need a
Speedo DRD. It is a plug and play installation, and easy to setup. I personally own both a SpeedoHealer and a SpeedoDRD, the SpeedoDRD is far superior. The SpeedoDRD is adjustable, so no matter what changes you make, you can always correct your speedometer.
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Navigation
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|
Sprocket / Ratio Changes |
Chain / Replacement Size |
Rivet Links |
520 vs 525 vs 530 |
Sprocket Material |
Wear / Maintenance |
Speedometer Correction |
FAQ Index |
