16 tooth sprocket swap.

[moriver]

So I have owned my 08 for two months. When I got it It came with a 16 tooth sprocket. I had thought about putting it on but as I am a big guy I held off. So two months later and almost 3K miles I figured I would give it a try as I am doing 72 miles a day round trip to work. I have no clue if it will help the mileage but after one ride I can tell you the ride is mutch better. The engine is less buzzy and I dont feel like I am about to blow the darn thing up at a GPS speed of 72. If you are on the fence about this go for it, I should have done it sooner.....

[jameslemoore]

Agreed. I wanted to go with a 17 tooth or a 16 & drop the rear to a 40. I took some advice and tried the 16 up front and I am pretty happy. Not as buzzy like you said and mine also stopped using oil.

On the 18th I'll have had the bike for 2 months. I am already at 5,000 miles. Most of my riding is at 70+ as well.

[fradsham]

Originally Posted by jameslemoore

Agreed. I wanted to go with a 17 tooth or a 16 & drop the rear to a 40. I took some advice and tried the 16 up front and I am pretty happy. Not as buzzy like you said and mine also stopped using oil.

On the 18th I'll have had the bike for 2 months. I am already at 5,000 miles. Most of my riding is at 70+ as well.

I have an '08 as well and i am just doing some mods/upgrades, one of which is the 16/42 sprocket setup. Mine uses oil at 5500rpm for long periods and I heard statements that with a 16T sprocket the rpms drop 400-500 for the same speed, bringing the bike to a state of not consuming oil.

[kw4tx]

I am considering dropping to a 16 tooth..

Thanks for the info

[sardog1]

I installed a 16 tooth and am very pleased with the lower RPM's (around 400 less at 60 MPH). Uses a bit less oil too.

[doc3toes]

2 days riding on the 16t front. i really like it. 500 rpm less, much nicer cruise in top gear. wish i did it sooner. no dirt report yet, but still feels pretty snappy.

[LittleSteve]

Same here. Went 16t on the front before I even had 200 miles on my ride.
That combined with the 22-cent mod and the bike's just more fun to ride now. Seemed really forced before.

[moriver]

Originally Posted by LittleSteve

Same here. Went 16t on the front before I even had 200 miles on my ride.
That combined with the 22-cent mod and the bike's just more fun to ride now. Seemed really forced before.

Thats a great way to descirbe it Steve" Really Forced". So after two weeks I am happy to report that I am still happy and the power loss in the dirt is no major deal. I am a big guy and on big hills in the dirt I can notice a power loss starting on big hills but its nothing that cant be delt with.

[LittleSteve]

For clarification really forced relates perhaps more to the 22-cent mod. The motor just didn't seem right to me so I tried it. It seems to rev better now, zippier. Not like it's fighting itself. "Forced" really is the best description I could come up with and what popped into my mind when I road it around. There are probably better ways to go about tuning the carb but I considered two things, inexpensive, and minor change with mileage considerations. I'll know more when I fill the tank up tomorrow, but having fun and enjoying the ride seems to outweigh any previous thoughts about leaving the bike alone and riding it bone stock.
I had put the 16t on prior to that as I was in third gear just clearing an intersection, and the stock gearing seemed all wrong for riding around town let alone heading out on a road trip. I also figure that once I load my camping touring gear on it will be more of a drit road bike and I never intended to go full on dirt biking with this KLR as it would be way too big for me in that respect. But I can see where 1st gear might be a bit luggish as a more dirt oriented ride. Seeking only dirt roads with no black diamond riding and needing highway speeds to get there I'm pretty happy with the way things are coming together.

[JHP]

I tried the 16 for about 13000 miles. Including a trip to prudoe bay Alaska and back to kentucky. Back to stock gearing and liking it much better. It always felt like the engine was lugging to me. Stock gearing seems to fit me better on the twisty back roads as well. YMMV.