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ViragoTechForum.com » XV250 » Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night!

#1: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: drw7162,

Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:15 am

I know there has been a lot of post on this subject but I just had to chime in. I switched my stock sprockets to 17/43 last night. The job including test ride took about 2 hours. All I have to say is WOW! I have a new bike it seems. I can actually use 1st and 2nd gear now. The engine is at much lower rev's all the time now. Use to have to shift into 5th gear by 25-30 now im going 45-50 in 4th gear with lower revs, awesome. I did immediately notice the drop in torque, but there is still enough left to keep me happy. I think dropping down any further and that would be too much.

#2: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: Larryb22,

Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:55 am

I'm running a 17/42 setup. Works for me. Last three tankfuls of gas netted 90 miles per gallon. Still peppy enough, pulls hills OK. Can still take off in second gear with very little clutch slipping. This is about ideal. I have installed a Drag Specialties tachometer and for normal riding I shift at about 4,500. For kicking it, I gas it, shift at about 6,000, and she moves out pretty good. Cruising speed at 50 to 55 mph is perfect, right in the smooth spot of RPMs, 60 to 65mph is good too. This bike is really smooth at 4,000 to 5,500 RPMs.
Larry

#3: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: hkmadeccc,

Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:08 pm

I'm using a 17/42 setup just like Larry's. I did notice that drop in torque that you had mentioned. You might want to consider a KN filter if you haven't added one already. I did notice a slight increase in power after the sprocket change when I added the air filter.

#4: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: drw7162,

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:03 pm

Next time I change the oil I will look into that K&n filter. I put in a new tank of gas so I will report back on my gas mileage and see if it improves.

#5: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: hkmadeccc,

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:38 pm

drw7162 wrote (View Post): › Next time I change the oil I will look into that K&n filter. I put in a new tank of gas so I will report back on my gas mileage and see if it improves.

Oh, by KN filter I mean a KN "air" filter. It's KN #62-1515, and it bolts directly onto the frame where the stock air filter goes. I attached a picture for you to look at.

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#6: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: drw7162,

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:10 am

thanks, yes I knew you meant air filter, I did the same thing on my truck, i replaced the stock air filter with a kn filter.

#7: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: Uncle Larry,

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:12 am

I run 17/43 also and realy like it. I can hold 65 MPH most of the time on small hills and that is with Bessy loaded heavy. I only have problems above 5000 feet and then Bessy slows a little on the hills. Uncle Larry

#8: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: hkmadeccc,

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:42 pm

drw7162 wrote (View Post): › thanks, yes I knew you meant air filter, I did the same thing on my truck, i replaced the stock air filter with a kn filter.

Ah! My mistake. I had misunderstood when you mentioned changing the oil first, I thought you were thinking KN oil filter.

#9: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: drw7162,

Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 1:07 pm

well, I just figured out my gas mileage on the first tank after the change, I got just over 88 mpg, thats good but I was getting about 83-85 mpg before, so a little better.

#10: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: daddydutch74,

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:37 pm

Again a useful post,
I've just found myself a 250 engine, so all this is great for me to know.

Cheers.
Al.

#11: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: ElDubya,

Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:01 am

Just ordered my 17/43 setup today, can't wait till it arrives :)

#12: Author: Pete7874,

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 5:33 pm

Where do you guys buy your 17/43 setups in the US? Does it include an upgraded chain (like xring)?

#13: Author: 96virago250,

Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 12:09 am

i've ordered from cheapcycleparts and bikebandit...beware of bikebandit; after using their parts finder and operators, I kept on getting the wrong rear sprocket...you have to buy the chain separately...if you decide to get the xring, it should last you a long time, since you are only dealing with 250cc....if you don't know already, it's recommended to change the sprockets and chains at the same time, to reduce wear...by the way, I bought a motorcycle lift at Harbor Freight last week for $60, works fine for simple repairs, it's very similar to the one sold at Sears and Advanced Autoparts that go for $100-$200...good luck!!

#14: Author: Pete7874,

Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 2:18 pm

96virago250 wrote (View Post): › ..if you decide to get the xring, it should last you a long time, since you are only dealing with 250cc....

Thanks. What size xring would I need for 17/43 sprockets?

Quote: ›
by the way, I bought a motorcycle lift at Harbor Freight last week for $60, works fine for simple repairs, it's very similar to the one sold at Sears and Advanced Autoparts that go for $100-$200...good luck!!

Is it this one?

#15: Author: 96virago250,

Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 2:40 pm

Pete7874 wrote (View Post): ›

96virago250 wrote (View Post): › ..if you decide to get the xring, it should last you a long time, since you are only dealing with 250cc....

Thanks. What size xring would I need for 17/43 sprockets?

Is it this one?

yep, that's exactly the lift I bought, I used it to switch out a new chain and sprockets...works fine...for $60 I think I got my money back, considering bike shops charge that much or more for labor an hour..as for the chain, just buy the standard chain size for a 250 Virago...520 114 link...I think the brand I got was DID, it had a clip on master link, so I didn't have to use a rivet tool

#16: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: 96virago250,

Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 3:10 pm

i just took a pic of the lift in use..the x link chain i bought was EK...you might want to jump on the lift because I think the sale ends on 5/25..good luck!!

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#17: Re: Wow, changed to 17/43 sprockets last night! Author: drw7162,

Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 3:45 pm

I ordered my sprockets from bikebandit.com but if you search under 2008 vstar you wont find any sprockets so use the year 2006, thats what I did and it worked like a charm. Sprockets fit no problem. I just put on a new 520-114 chain myself.

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