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Lower gearing? Anyone done it? - Magnus_imp - 04-14-2016

So... I did some searching and found a lot of threads about people gearing their CB1100 up with larger front sprockets and/or smaller rear sprockets to LOWER cruising RPM in top gear - particularly on the 2013 model.

I have a 2014 with the six speed and I'm very happy with it (after a ECU reflash to remove the nanny limits and an arrow exhaust I feel it's almost perfect!).

However, I do very little highway with my CB1100 (I have another bike for that) and mostly just zip around town or hit the mountains.

To me I feel the stock gearing is too high for enthusiastic riding and that the bike would zip around a lot better with some lower gearing. I mean.. it'll do 120mph plus in 4th gear and still has two more to go...

Anyone tried gearing their CB down instead of up? Results? Bad idea? Don't mess up a good thing? Wink

RE: Lower gearing? Anyone done it? - 12cb96vfr_imp - 04-14-2016

i looked at it, but never got around to it, i have no interest in going over 110 but i wanna get there in the blink of an eye.

Some day i may break down and do it, but it'll be when im ready to change chain and sprocket anyway, i'm cheap like that haha

RE: Lower gearing? Anyone done it? - Hondahawkrider_imp - 04-14-2016

Haven't done it with the cb1100, but I've done it on tons of bike to get the right feel..

It's something like going 1 size lower on the front is the same as going 3 sizes on the rear if you want more low end power

I usually set mine up for low end, but I've got a 13 so I like it where it is...

RE: Lower gearing? Anyone done it? - Ulvetanna_imp - 04-14-2016

(04-14-2016, 12:19 PM)Hondahawkrider_imp Wrote: Haven't done it with the cb1100, but I've done it on tons of bike to get the right feel..

It's something like going 1 size lower on the front is the same as going 3 sizes on the rear if you want more low end power

I usually set mine up for low end, but I've got a 13 so I like it where it is...
Yep, mine is also a '13 and it sure doesn't need to be lower, if anything it could be higher and still be fine, but I like the sporty feel.

I don't know a thing about the six speed, I thought I read it was geared the same, with just the higher ratio overdrive.

I changed the gearing on my ZX-10R a few months ago because everyone on the forum said it needed it and would make it more lively and it sucked, plain and simple. The traction control just kicks in sooner. It was buzzier on the freeway too. I went back to the stock gearing, much better. Sometimes the OEM's know what they are doing.

RE: Lower gearing? Anyone done it? - JohnLM_imp - 04-14-2016

I dropped a tooth on the front sprocket on my 2014 and it's about perfect for my riding style - I don't do much highway riding.

RE: Lower gearing? Anyone done it? - CIP57_imp - 04-14-2016

Its very inexpensive and an easy install, give it a try. I went the other direction 19-38's on my 2013. I rode my CB spirited and felt up to be a better choice. I wanted longer legs in 1st which I felt was a bit short. Going down 1 will lower first gear but the internal ratio will remain the same, you might find where you are usually in second you'll be in third thus losing your power band instead on increasing it.

RE: Lower gearing? Anyone done it? - CIP57_imp - 04-15-2016

Magnus your new and may have not seen some of these vids.

Here is a CB with a 17 tooth sprocket::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG4eqsjy8zE&feature=youtu.be
Notice shift points @ redline 42/67/90

1 tooth up front and 1 down rear 19/38's
Shift points: 60/98/124

http://vid1034.photobucket.com/albums/a423/cipolla57/new%20gears%20bri_zpslpqleggr.mp4

Going down 1 tooth will only give you more torque until you shift to second (42mph) (19-38's pulling hard from 42 to 60) from there the combination of internal + final ratio while be higher (less torque) due to the bike being in 2nd rather than first. From 67mph when lower gearing hits third the 19-38's will walk away until wind pressure max's out power @ 142mph.

Hope this is helpful.

RE: Lower gearing? Anyone done it? - Ulvetanna_imp - 04-15-2016

(04-14-2016, 10:53 PM)CIP57_imp Wrote: Its very inexpensive and an easy install, give it a try. I went the other direction 19-38's on my 2013. I rode my CB spirited and felt up to be a better choice. I wanted longer legs in 1st which I felt was a bit short. Going down 1 will lower first gear but the internal ratio will remain the same, you might find where you are usually in second you'll be in third thus losing your power band instead on increasing it.
Yep, I could definitely see going up in gearing for the 2013, might consider this myself. Just do not want to have to replace the chain to accommodate the sprockets. Maybe one less tooth in the rear. There are some really cool calculators online that will calculate the exact wheelbase with any given sprocket combination with a specific number of chain links. Or you can figure out how many links of chain you'll need for any sprocket combination to meet your wheelbase requirements. This does change handling.

RE: Lower gearing? Anyone done it? - Motogeezer1949_imp - 04-18-2016

I dropped a tooth up front. Like it. MPG actually went up a smidge.
Puts the motor in a more torquey part of the power band for general riding.

RE: Lower gearing? Anyone done it? - Magnus_imp - 04-19-2016

Thanks for the input guys! Where would I source a 17 tooth front sprocket? Sorry for my ignorance guys...