Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > 996 gearing

[greenmachine]

I wonder whether low speed maneouvring would be helped by a smaller front sprocket? The tall first is fine for track but i think maybe not so good for road use. Anyone tried this with any degree of success?

Acceleration will undoubtedly be better (like it needs improving!!!) but what about throttle response, clutch wear 'n' tear etc?

Cheers

[BDG]

I've dropped a tooth of the front sprocket on my last 3 996 engined bikes and it a big improvement. Throotle response is better in higher gears as well coming out of bends and top speed isn't affected

Common consensus is they are over geared as standard.

No problems with extra clutch wear etc, you know Ducati clutches last forever anyway

Technically its better for the chain to have say an extra 3 teeth on the rear sprocket but that invloves a longer chain and usually a QD sprocket carrier as well so a lot more expensive than just a front sprocket

[Edited on 17-3-2006 by BDG]

[chris.p]

couple of charts for you to look at.


Chris.

[chris.p]

and a second


Chris.

[Rick]

So what you are saying is, say you are buying a whole new drive kit its better to go up at the back instead of down in the front ??

[greenmachine]

Thanks guys and most fascinating graphs Chris - who researched and tabled the results?

I can't justify spending heaps on rear sprockets and new chains as i've only just got the bike but switching front sprockets shouldn't be a hardship.

Will the speedo be affected or is it front wheel driven like my old Bandit? I believe there are converters available to correct indicated speeds on sprocket/crank driven speedos and wonder if i'll need one?


Thanks again. Oh, and glad to hear about the bullet-proofness of the clutches too Most reassuring

[yeti]

Originally posted by greenmachine
Will the speedo be affected or is it front wheel driven like my old Bandit? I believe there are converters available to correct indicated speeds on sprocket/crank driven speedos and wonder if i'll need one?

Dropping to a 14 tooth front sprocket is what most of us here have done in the past. I run a 996RS race bike, and it's the one thing I will definately be doing shortly.

As for speedo, don't worry, it's taken from your front wheel, so no matter what you do to the gearing, the speed should read the same unless you start friggin around with different wheel and tyre sizes!

[BDG]

Shazaam originally produced the gearing table

[chris.p]

Originally posted by BDG
Shazaam originally produced the gearing table

You beat me to it.


Chris.