Ive heard going down 1 up front will give more engine brake and will pull harder than up 3 out back.

I dont need to hear the 2.88 ratio crap I understand they are basically the same, Im wondering about the feel.

so in other words is this true and it will feel different

Thanks

 

my bike is -1 +3 when i got it so i cant tell you. sorry

 

bump,.,.,

 

going -1 up front instead of +3 in back is better to a certain extent. It takes less energy for the engine to turn that smaller diameter sprocket but you cover less ground than w/ the stock sprocket. Yes, it makes wheelies come up easier but gas mileage suffers and it puts more stress on your chain b/c it has to complete a smaller circle which makes it wear prematurely.
Like gas mileage on these bikes really matters, but I had to say it.

 

If you change the rear or front, but the same ratio, its the same strain on the engine, you get the same mileage.. ITs all the same



except going smaller on the front sprocket can be bad on the chain because it has to wrap around a smaller sprocket...

 

I just put a 13 tooth front on my R6 with stock 48 out back. That's 3 down from stock and I LOVE IT.

It was 1 down up front with a brand new 520 conversion when I got it so I didn't wanna waste it. Cost me 32 bucks to get the same effect as going about +8 or 9 out back.

Sprocket specialties has the smallest front sprockets i've found. Got mine on Kneedraggers.

 

it also creates more vibration if that matters

 

im down one front and up 2 back right now till my new rear get here and it was a vast improvement over stock....

 

some good replies here, if anyone else has any factiod or opinion please POST UP

 

 

To the rider they'll feel the same either way, its just a drive ratio change.

To the bike, there're a couple differences. As stated, a smaller front makes the chain have to turn tighter which wears it out faster, but it also makes it pull harder on the transmissions countershaft. In theory this could be bad for the countershaft bearings and seal, but I dont think ive ever heard of anyone's failing on here.
Going up on the rear sprocket makes everything easier on the drivetrain, because it makes it easier to turn the wheel. Less work = less strain on the chain, sprocket teeth, and countershaft. As far as I know the only disavantage to going up in the back is the extra weight.

 

I am down 2 up front and up 15 in back and it feels very snappy and touchy throttle. I LOVE IT!!! It is so easy to make small corrections while jumping around that lets it pick the bike back up no problem. It allows me to not have to snap the clutch so hard and it makes it easier to pull out of stalls with out rideing the clutch so bad. You definately get more "FEEL" for the bike with smaller fronts but I have heard horror stories about it wearing on the motor and tranny really bad. I dunno, never noticed and bike still runs strong. Mine is also a 520 conversion if that helps. It does make circles a bitch though, I end up riding the brake ALOT and it tends to stall me often!

 

I've "heard" from the dirt bike crowd that down front 1 vs up 3 rear (roughly the same) is better to go down in the front to keep sprockets "closer to the same size". I don't know how this is better.
The problem with making the front smaller, other that what has been said already, is that the chain may drag on the swing arm, ruining the front chain guide and potentially damaging the swing arm.