Speaking of gearing....

[Sal Paradise]

I didn't want to highjack a thread about james' gearing change but I am wondering if a change in the other direction would be doable and by how much?

I was thinking about a change for more highway mileage.
The ZX14 has plenty of low end torque and I can even improve that if needed so it shouldn't be an issue around town and it looks like I may be doing a lot of slab riding for work trips and I like long hauls anyway.

Of course it's still very new and loose yet and I'm riding it with a lot of RPM changes so the fuel mileage is pretty low so far.
Not complaining at all but just wondering as this is something I've done on my cars in the past - put in a OD or change the rear gears and really jump the freeway mileage. Some of those suffered around town but I don't think this will be an issue with the bike.

Just kicking the idea a bit.


Sal

[FUZO]

Re: Speaking of gearing....

IMO SAL JUST FOR A HIGHWAY CHANGE I WOULDNT DO IT.

[scotch_03rr]

Re: Speaking of gearing....

i agree with fuzo; it will change your milage and also with as much power as that bike puts out you would find the front wheel coming up quite often

[jamescb77]

Re: Speaking of gearing....

you gotta remember these bikes are designed t run at higher rpms. YOu don't wanna lug the endinge down the highway for hours on end. I don't think you are going to get better than stock. NO you might add an exhaust filter and programmer and get some more fuel milage that way but in the end it would be a small amount

[horsepwr]

Re: Speaking of gearing....

I'm with everybody else on this one. That bike will probably get around 50mpg, possibly better on the highway. I think, just like most practical automobiles, that bikes are geared pretty much on the highest end they can for the engine to pull itself off the bottom safely, while getting the highest gas mileage possible.

[Sal Paradise]

Re: Speaking of gearing....

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

I thought about it after a while and when I'm on the freeway for the few minutes that I get on there now it's pretty low in the RPM range.
Anything lower would be borderline LUG CITY!


Thanks!

Sal

[Joe Mamas Mama]

Re: Speaking of gearing....

When I was in Florida running I-95 to Daytona alot, I get around 30mpg but I'm cruising 85-90 up and always a high speed run back. Gearing it(ZX12) or a Zx14 higher I'd never do.
Matter of fact, I just changed my front down to a 17t for more low end. I don't need a bike that runs to the limiter of 186mph anyways.This way, I really bust those liter bikes a new ass!!!
You gotta remember far as the front end coming up, my 12 is 100lbs heavier than a ZX10. A ZX14 is 100lbs heavier than my ZX12. We dont have the issue of front end coming up alot.
I remember riding down I-4 one night. A guy had a GSXR 1K. 65mph pops a wheeling. I was freakin amazed. I'd have to be 7k going into 2nd gear to due that.