gear ratios: gearbox and final drives

[bugga me]

Hi all,

I have a r1150 gs. I use the bike for long distance travelling to get to predominantly off-road places. So while the bike is fine for open roads, its really not so good for the more knarlly stuff....particularly rocky steep tracks, creek crossings, and soft sandy sections where I'd prefer to keep the revs up a tad without going 100 mph in 1st Or worse still slipping the clutch!

So, I have been researching a bit and see there are several final drive options and at least a lower 1st gear ratio. The two combined I suspect will be ideal.

The lower 6th gear ration doesnt worry me as I tend to use 4th and 5th when on unsealed road. 6th is reserved for long straight flat sealled sections so having the extra legs is good.

My question therefore are:
-which R models came out with the higher final drive ratios? Are there several options or just the 3:1?
-do the earlier R850 final drives fit?
-with respect the gearbox, does the design allow to change just the 1st gear ratio....or are you committed to also change the 6th gear as well - as I suspect it shares the same lay shaft????

Finally, where should I begin looking for the bits. I notice the US has a good amount for sale but the freight costs are ridiculous. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

 

[Paul Young]

Anton Largiader has a really good resource for investigating different gearbox/FD combinations.

Gearing comparison

Gearing graphs for BMW motorcycles

largiader.com

 

[davegs]

Anton Largiader has a really good resource for investigating different gearbox/FD combinations.

Gearing comparison

Gearing graphs for BMW motorcycles

largiader.com

For long trip fromAlaska to CapeHorn I fitted a bevel box from an1100, makes it good in trafffic a greatly improved for dirt roads (loot of these). Fits straight on no trouble.

 

[bugga me]

For long trip fromAlaska to CapeHorn I fitted a bevel box from an1100, makes it good in trafffic a greatly improved for dirt roads (loot of these). Fits straight on no trouble.

...and to Paul Young. Cheers, that really useful. As it happens I stumbled on his site today.....but didnt find this! cheers

@davegs....that's interesting. Is the R1100 box 5 speed? That might be the only downside......though appreciate distance where you are, are comparable.......but perhaps not as flat and straight!! 6th gear is a joy to have. Have a 5spd DR also....and that become tiresome in comparison. But will investigate. cheers

 

[Steptoe]

...and to Paul Young. Cheers, that really useful. As it happens I stumbled on his site today.....but didnt find this! cheers

@davegs....that's interesting. Is the R1100 box 5 speed? That might be the only downside......though appreciate distance where you are, are comparable.......but perhaps not as flat and straight!! 6th gear is a joy to have. Have a 5spd DR also....and that become tiresome in comparison. But will investigate. cheers

Davegs is talking about an 1100 bevel box, not gearbox,
The 1100 gearbox won’t fit onto an 1150.
I have a high 6th on my 1150GS and don’t have a problem riding off road (desert/sand in Morocco) in the lower gears.
The 1150ADV had a low 1st gearbox option

 

[Steptoe]

And another thing about the high 6th gear.
A few years ago, 2009, myself and Rob (Shapeshifter) rode back together on our 1150’s through Spain and France coming back from Morocco.
I had the high 6th gear, Rob had the lower 6th
My revs for the same speed were 500/600 revs lower.
We ride together for around 1600 miles, at each fill up (we both had 32 ltr fuel tanks) i was putting in £5 less fuel, and remember, that was 2009 fuel prices, so that would be an even bigger saving today

 

[bugga me]

Davegs is talking about an 1100 bevel box, not gearbox,
The 1100 gearbox won’t fit onto an 1150.
I have a high 6th on my 1150GS and don’t have a problem riding off road (desert/sand in Morocco) in the lower gears.
The 1150ADV had a low 1st gearbox option

Cheers. Thanks for the clarification....my bad. Though the 31/11 3.00 is certainly the at least what i am looking for.
If I can combine that with the lower 1st (and lower final ratio), though at present I do appreciate the longer legs of the higher 6th gear. But I suspect it may be unachieveable.....ie, slotting the lower 1st gear cog....without also committing to the lower 6th, but again I might be making assumptions that the gearboxes have traditional lay gear design.......but happy to be corrected.

 

[bugga me]

And another thing about the high 6th gear.

You raise a great point. While price is a consideration.....fuel capacity/mileage is the real issue for us in Oz if you start travelling anywhere except on the East Coast.

The DR has 36l and sometimes that's not enuf.

The ratio/speed calculator @Paul Young posted is very useful. Its got me thinking......

Life is full of compromises!!