gearing

[willsey]

hi guys picked up me new z yesterday cool machine thru gearing seems low ( first road bike for 25 years ) doing bout 4000rpm at 100kph or 62mph. has anyone increased front sprocket size standard is 15, i have ordered a 17 and i know i lose a little acceleration but its got more nuf for me. sorta hoping to drop a thousand revs at a hundy km, thanks in advance guys 

[3alfa3]

Originally Posted by willsey

i have ordered a 17

On latest (2020-2023) Z900 17 front will probably throw Check Engine Light (happened to some riders) because that is more than 7-8% difference that bike "allows". 16 will not (I tried 16 for few thousand kms but returned to 15 eventualy - I just like 15 better).

Also, with 17 it is probably impossible to use stock front sprocket cover with metal shield inside, 16 fits just barely.

[willsey]

hi thanks mate thru they list a 17 for this bike. will try as it's on it's way. just not used to an engine revving so high. and why on earth would the bloody check light come on

[3alfa3]

Originally Posted by willsey

why on earth would the bloody check light come on

Because Engine RPMs are lower than expected in relation to ABS/Traction Control sensors readings.
Some 7-8% differences is in tolerance, but 11.75% is not (front 17 will lower revs by 11.75% for the same Speed). 16 tooth front sprocket makes 6.24% difference.

[kevperro]

I bought 15F/41R sprockets and a 520 conversion.   There are no issues with clearance up front, 112 links rather than 114, and the rotating mass is more than a pound less than the stock set-up.     The gearing is like the 16T front but I agree that there is nothing wrong with the stock gearing.     Just ride it until you need to change it due to wear.   

[Zed62]

Just ordered a 16 tooth front sprocket.  Glad to hear 16 will not trigger CEL.  On my z400 a 15 tooth, up from 14 did trigger the check engine light.  The solution was to jumper the clutch safety switch.  Not the greatest...
On the Z900 first gear has so much torque that traction control kicks in anywhere close to full throttle,  so I am not worried about a small loss in acceleration assuming you could keep the front end down.  I will enjoy the taller gearing on long rides.

[Zed62]

Received the 16T sprocket today.  Installation took less than an hour and I love it.  Traction conrtol still needs to intervene in first and second, and the bike is now very relaxed ~ 4000 rpm at an indicated 100 km/h.  Got this one:
NICHE 525 Pitch 16 Tooth Front Drive Sprocket for 2002-2006 Kawasaki Z1000 Ninja ZX9R 13144-1320
Has no rubber and fits perfectly.

[willsey]

hi so only dropped revs at a hundy kms by bout 2 hundred is that rite?

[MZ900]

Originally Posted by willsey

hi so only dropped revs at a hundy kms by bout 2 hundred is that rite?

cant remember on this one, bike still on winter sleep, but.....

one i surely know is that now i can go through city jams in 3rd max 4th gear without going to 5th or 6th to make it comfy

[MaverickAus]

Originally Posted by Zed62

Received the 16T sprocket today.  Installation took less than an hour and I love it.  Traction conrtol still needs to intervene in first and second

Lol I've never had the TC kick in