Sidewinder Sprockets

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Originally Posted by 6doublefive321

Here's a thought. Lets say two guys have identical bikes. One guy commutes on the interstate back and forth 20 miles and averages about 80 mph on the trip. We'll call this guy Tigger. Another guy, rides 20 miles to work, but cuts across a mountain, and averages 60 mph on his commute. We'll call this guy Warputer. Now, Tigger, since he rides on the interstate, likes his gearing. If you don't believe me, ask him. Warputer, on the other hand, wants a little more torque since he avoids the highway, and stays lower in the rpm range during his commute. Warputer makes a change, which results in 20% change in the gearing towards the lower side. Now, even though the two bikes have significantly different gearing, they are running at the same rpm range through the commute.

The point being, if someone lowered their gearing, they are probably riding at lower speeds, and any additional wear and tear from increased engine speeds will most likely be negligible.

In the end, gearing is just like jacket designs, oil, bike brands, and women. It is personal preference. No one is right, and no one is wrong.

Ya know,I've been ignoring this post as it's from the Neo-Nazi member of the forum but since you all have "Zieg Heiled" along with him,here goes...
I would find it hard to believe that you all don't see the fundimental flaw in this line of reasoning but I have to consider what and whom I'm dealing with here; my total argument revolves around keeping my bike a more all around package. Not strictly for this imaginary commute,not strictly as a canyon carving race bike wanna be and not as a street drag racer.

I originately was simply trying to show that if you use aluminum sprockets and were keeping your bike for over 2 years,a $159 Ti sprocket with a "lifetime" guarantee would be a good deal. Someone countered with the premise of gearing changes to prove my supposition false and here we are. I honestly consider gearing changes pointless unless you are using your bike for some specific purpose that requires it like racing,stunting,top speed runs,etc. I absolutely don't see any reason for multiple gearing changes on a street bike. I would like to think that the person making these changes woud pick his sprocket sizes based on extensive data and not in a "willy-nilly" ,hit or miss fashion.

The engine produces a certain amount of hp(horse power) and torque at any given rpm. It also produces a given amount of vibration and burns a given amount of fuel. The job of the transmission, gear ratio and engine management system is to put that power to the ground considering all of the given parameters. The design team takes all the engine data and designs a trans/gearing package that will utilize that particular engine's characteristics to produce the best compromise to accomodate ALL of that model's intended purposes. To provide the rider with the best all around package for that models intended purpose.

I guess what I mostly fail to comprehend is why you don't just run a lower gear in whatever scenario you're putting forth. If a gearing change "fixes" some supposed deficiency in your bike's power output,wouldn't simply using a lower gear suffice? The point is to be at a certain rpm at a certain speed to achieve maximun acceleration,isn't it?

Lastly,there is such a thing as right and wrong. Some oils are demostratably better than others. Some bikes are better than others,especially in certain catagories. Some types of women are more attractive than others. Some jacket designs offer more protection. Period.