Sprocket?? 13 VS 12 Tooth -How will it be different?

[Colorado KDX]

I'm thinking about changing about my stock 13 tooth front sprocket to
a 12 tooth. Will this give the bike much more low end? or will it just rap out sooner and have little effect?

 

[Mac]

Dropping one tooth on the front is like adding 3 or 4 teeth to the rear which means more low end, more torque and less top speed. Most think the stock KDX gearing is too high and either add a 12 to the front or a 50 to the rear. I ran this setup but it felt like I had to shft too much so this year I'm trying 13/49.

 

[FLBob]

I went to a 12 (stock rear) and it helped me a lot(97 KDX 220). My problem was that I could never find the right gear for the tight stuff at H/S. Second was too high and in first I often put myself in the puckerbrush when I applied a little too much throttle when I wasn't completely in control.
Now I hardly ever use first. I can lug second some if needed and I'm more in control when I gas it. Yes, I essentially loose a gear but spacing between gears seems right to me this way and it's nice to have that tractor gear when I do need it.

 

[canyncarvr]

AND...it's cheap to try and easy to change back to original if you don't like it.

FlBob has it just right. 2nd gear is what you'll use a lot more of with a 12t cs sprocket. In tighter trails, it's nice to be in a higher gear..you can accelerate more smoothly so it's much less tiring over a long haul.
And, as he said, you still have a whole other gear (1st) to go if you need to!

Unless your chain is really worn out, you can put on a 12t and you'll still be able to adjust it just fine.

With a 50t rear, you may end up with a different guide..and you certainly won't be changing it in 90 seconds back at the truck inbetween loops on ride day!

Slipper wear is just fine, too. I've run 12t sprockets for a couple years, bought a slipper cuz I thought I'd need it quick...it's still in my spare parts bin!

 

[landrow]

I have a 99 KDX200. I run a FMF Gnarly torque pipe and Boyesen Reeds. I also live and ride primarily above 6500' elevation in north eastern AZ. Being in Colorado I asssume your riding is much like mine. Like the other responses, I have found first gear with the 12t front almost impractical. However, I can't count the number of times I found myself on a billy goat trail and it was perfect if not necessary. Second gear becomes excellent for lugging around and when things get really tight 1st is a god send. When I am riding in tight stuff with the 13t, the clutch gets used a lot, unlike with the 12t where it rides more like a big thumper. In the open stuff, stay with the 13t, it's a lot faster, and I'm not sure it's humanly possible to shift as fast as the 12t demands. Besides, it only takes a couple minutes to swap out and adjust the chain back. How much more versatile can the little Kawi be??? Enjoy...

 

[prk]

13 front 49 rear great combination

 

[Fred T]

I had a 12T last season

and after riding for the season I decided that riding in 3-4 and sometimes 5th on single laners was not the correct gearing so I went back to 13-47 this season now that I got the carb bored. It pulls so much better that way. I can see where a person that rides real technical tight trail may need that real low first gear, for me here in MI it was not nessesary although it was fun getting the front tire up in 4th and 5 th gear. ;)

 

[Acavin]

I kept the 13T on the front. A small mod on the back (48T) gave me good acceleration. I'm interested in a 49T, but I shift enough with the 48T. However, I bet a 49T for tight woods is a blast. Tell me what ya'll think.

aaron

 

[kdxjr]

I have 13/49 this works for me best we run a lot of tight stuff, I can lug
2nd gear pretty easy. I'm pretty sure you can add a 49 in the rear with
your regular 108 link chain too. I just use 1st for starting off,and try to
stay in 2nd and 3rd in the tighter stuff..

 

[Optik]

My kdx 220 has a torque pipe on it. To add a little bit of top end without having to get a new chain, what would you recommend?

 

[kdxjr]

Optik, just go to a 14 tooth on the front leave the 47 on the rear..

 

[jeffw]

Talon Sprockets makes a great 12 tooth that they list for the 95-02 KDXs . Many other manufacturers don't list a 12 for the KDX (just 13-15) but I think its the same spec as the the mid 90's KX 125 and 500 front sprocket, not positive though.

Lower gearing is a must in the tight woods we ride in around here. My bikes pretty new and already on 7.5 on the snail adjuster with this sprocket, but I think that's because the lousy stock chain is stretching fast from the spring mud.

 

[gooby]

13/50 works for me 90% :) however on a straight u'll be lookin for another gear that aint there

 

[Nevada Sixx]

on thing i noticed about adding teeth to my rear sprocket, was that i could get up hills that i normally couldnt get up,, and for casual riding, i get to ride in forth gear instead of third all the time.

I guess the extra power comes from being able to get the rpm up faster and getting the power to open up earlier.
I did notice that absolute top speed wasnt as fast when i drove across a big cotton field.. but as far as i know, noone ever rides wide open like that in the woods anyway.