Installed a Pro-tek 16 tooth front sprocket today and wish I had sooner!!!

[NickH1994]

I read a few posts about doing this here and decided to give it a try. I went with the Pro-tek because it was the cheapest option and I could get it the quickest. I have a long trip planned late next week and wanted to get this in and have some seat time with it before going on said trip.
The whole process was super smooth. I never changed a sprocket before but reading through some of the older posts here gave me the info I needed. My Dewalt 20v 3/8 impact was perfect to get the nut off with no issue. Getting the sprocket nut off was my biggest worry because so many people said it was a real pain. Thankful I have that impact on hand. The most annoying part of the whole process was doing the chain tension and making sure the rear wheel was aligned.(I've always hated doing this and always go back and triple check and doubt myself.) I do have the motion pro tools to check alignment and tension, yet it always worries me when I mess with the chain/tires and then start ripping the throttle. After the change I went for a short 5 mile ride just before the rain hit. I'm dying to take it out for more testing, but right away I can see the difference in the first couple gear. I'll be going on a 100 mile ride tomorrow and am really looking forward to really testing it out!

I highly recommend everyone to try this out if you're used to the stock gearing and don't like how short they feel. This is a cheap/easy swap that made me love my Z even more!

[RobZ900]

How many miles are your chain and sprockets on? Did you change the whole set or just the front sprocket? If there’s not that many miles on the set, then not much of a concern, but generally a good idea to change both sprockets and the chain at the same time as mixing old and new can cause accelerated wear.

I still haven’t changed my OEM set, so still running the standard gearing. Planning on changing the set later in the year. Bike will pass 20k miles this year, so good time to change when the weather starts to turn again.

[NickH1994]

Originally Posted by RobZ900

How many miles are your chain and sprockets on?

The bike is a 2023 model and I just rolled over 1100 miles so all virtually brand new and just out or the break in. Only changed the front for this reason.

 I initially wanted to wait and keep the stock gearing and get a new chain and set of sprockets but every time I rode it I would think about the posts I read and how everyone recommended it. I couldn't help myself but so far I'm happy with the change.

[RobZ900]

Know what you mean. First gear is so short, can’t wait to change mine, but also want my money’s worth out of the stock set

[3alfa3]

Originally Posted by NickH1994

I read a few posts about doing this here and decided to give it a try. I went with the Pro-tek because it was the cheapest option and I could get it the quickest. I have a long trip planned late next week and wanted to get this in and have some seat time with it before going on said trip.
The whole process was super smooth. I never changed a sprocket before but reading through some of the older posts here gave me the info I needed. My Dewalt 20v 3/8 impact was perfect to get the nut off with no issue. Getting the sprocket nut off was my biggest worry because so many people said it was a real pain. Thankful I have that impact on hand. The most annoying part of the whole process was doing the chain tension and making sure the rear wheel was aligned.(I've always hated doing this and always go back and triple check and doubt myself.) I do have the motion pro tools to check alignment and tension, yet it always worries me when I mess with the chain/tires and then start ripping the throttle. After the change I went for a short 5 mile ride just before the rain hit. I'm dying to take it out for more testing, but right away I can see the difference in the first couple gear. I'll be going on a 100 mile ride tomorrow and am really looking forward to really testing it out!

I highly recommend everyone to try this out if you're used to the stock gearing and don't like how short they feel. This is a cheap/easy swap that made me love my Z even more!

Is it louder (no rubber damping)?

[NickH1994]

Originally Posted by 3alfa3

Is it louder (no rubber damping)?

I don't hear any noise difference when riding. It seems loud when spinning the wheel by hand but I need to clean/lube my chain so I assumed that was part of it. I think the rubber is more for vibration dampening but again I couldn't tell any difference when actually riding.

[NickH1994]

I wanted to give an update as I've now rode just over 300 miles with this new sprocket ranging from some slow parkway curvy roads, highways and city riding.

So far I think I still like this change. It definitely takes away some of the aggressive acceleration the stock gearing had when I would rip the throttle. First, second and third still pull very hard and I'm sure it could wheelie if I wanted it to. On the highway 5th and 6th gear feel lacking if I'm doing 60-80 and rip the throttle it isn't as responsive as it used to feel. Dropping down to third/fourth and it'll still pull away no problem.

I generally feel like I'm almost always in a lower gear than I used to be when riding around with this change. I plan to keep this for about 1000 miles or so and make my decision if I want to keep this or replace the stock sprocket in the end.

[Zed62]

I think that the point to remember with this gearing change is we want to get the revs down in 6th gear.   That means we lose some top gear acceleration. Shifting down gives that acceleration back.
I have the 16 tooth front and really love it.  On long trips I see an improvement in fuel economy of about 30 km per tank and the ride is much more relaxed.  If you want zip without needing to downshift, just stay in 5th.  It won't hurt anything.   
My new front sprocket has no rubber and is a bit noisier.

[RobZ900]

Or another option would be to go down 2 teeth on the rear sprocket and keep the front 15T. That way you’re getting 2/3 the benefit of the 16T but keeping 1/3 of the acceleration in higher gears. Food for thought perhaps

[3alfa3]

Originally Posted by RobZ900

Or another option would be to go down 2 teeth on the rear sprocket and keep the front 15T. That way you’re getting 2/3 the benefit of the 16T but keeping 1/3 of the acceleration in higher gears. Food for thought perhaps

15/42 makes the wheelbase 8.52mm longer. If a 112 link chain is used, the wheelbase is 7.44 mm shorter.