At some point in a very near future, I will need to replace OEM factory issue chain and sprockets on my 2018 1290 Super Adventure S with a brand new set. The bike has now done 19K miles on that set, and links are stating to bind/kink a little. A little surface rust has appeared on the chain after bike bing stirred in a non heated garage (no electric). I suspect that the chain will be replaced at around 20.5-21K miles after wife and I will return from Germany in a couple of moths time.
I am rather tempted to buy a nice chain (gold?
) and a bright orange (KTM PowerParts) rear supersprox sprocket. The front sprocket can be gem, as it does live behind a cover anyway.
Now, the OEM set-up is 17 teeth on the front and 42 teeth on the back. This set up however, has a drawback for my liking.
When lets say in France on a rural, back road, following their 80-90km/ph (50-55mph) limits, the bike does not like to do this speeds in 6th gear, it sort of feels like motor is straining, unless you hit 100-120km/ph (65-70mph), then it is a ok, but not brilliant. Down shift into 5th, and the bike sounds like it asking to be shifted into 6th, as revs are a little to high.
Now, what would be the optimum set up to rectify this issue, I am assuming, reducing to say 41 teeth rear sprocket, would make the gearing a little longer, meaning that in 5th the bike would ride on fewer revs at circa 60mph, whilst in 6th id have to be looking at having to do 75-80? ow would it be the other way around, if fitted with 43 tooth sprocket.
Logic tells me, that the more teeth on the rear, the slower top speed become and easier pulling away from a standstill. The fewer teeth, would result in slower pulling away, but in a higher top speed. I am not bothered about the top speed, as I will never reach it anyway. However, which setup would be the ultimately more comfortable?
Has anybody on here have changed their 1290 drivetrain set-up? @Paul S any suggestions?
I have spoken with one of the KTM dealers, Jim Aim Motorcycles, their service department guys do not recommend changing the gearing at all. In fact they would not even do it as a job, due to risking damaging gearbox etc. Is this true?
Thank you.
Ev
I am rather tempted to buy a nice chain (gold?
) and a bright orange (KTM PowerParts) rear supersprox sprocket. The front sprocket can be gem, as it does live behind a cover anyway.Now, the OEM set-up is 17 teeth on the front and 42 teeth on the back. This set up however, has a drawback for my liking.
When lets say in France on a rural, back road, following their 80-90km/ph (50-55mph) limits, the bike does not like to do this speeds in 6th gear, it sort of feels like motor is straining, unless you hit 100-120km/ph (65-70mph), then it is a ok, but not brilliant. Down shift into 5th, and the bike sounds like it asking to be shifted into 6th, as revs are a little to high.
Now, what would be the optimum set up to rectify this issue, I am assuming, reducing to say 41 teeth rear sprocket, would make the gearing a little longer, meaning that in 5th the bike would ride on fewer revs at circa 60mph, whilst in 6th id have to be looking at having to do 75-80? ow would it be the other way around, if fitted with 43 tooth sprocket.
Logic tells me, that the more teeth on the rear, the slower top speed become and easier pulling away from a standstill. The fewer teeth, would result in slower pulling away, but in a higher top speed. I am not bothered about the top speed, as I will never reach it anyway. However, which setup would be the ultimately more comfortable?
Has anybody on here have changed their 1290 drivetrain set-up? @Paul S any suggestions?
I have spoken with one of the KTM dealers, Jim Aim Motorcycles, their service department guys do not recommend changing the gearing at all. In fact they would not even do it as a job, due to risking damaging gearbox etc. Is this true?
Thank you.
Ev
Thank you Sir!
.
