'93 XT600e gearing advice
 

So I've had this bike near a year, gone through it pretty well. New tires, all the engine details are good, has only 15,000 miles or so and I love the way it handles the mix of dirt and 2 lane highways in my area. I find that with the 15/45 tooth gearing I pretty often want to shift back and forth between 4th and 5th at 45 mph or so. Thinking of putting a 16 tooth sprocket on the front to keep in 4th more of the time and geared a bit higher on the faster roads. Doubt I will ever go on a high adventure, just being comfortable around here. I've been fixing up and riding a CX and GL Honda 500 for the last few years and never grew used to the higher revving buzz, someone else has them now. I will be content with the thumping. Any advice is welcome, thanks.

I went with a 47 in the rear instead, different solution to the same problem, but worked better for offroad.


If I had to travel out of the country for bigger trips, I added a 16 up front.

I don't think the 600E has enough power to pull a 16T front cleanly.

I tried a 15/42 (similar to 16T front), and I literally couldn't get the bike to pull to it's top speed.

Even a 43 was laborious.

If you want more top end then try a 15/44 but anything more will stretch that motor too much.

I would try a 14T front too. Much more fun. Front sprockets are easier and cheaper to change and you don't usually need to change your chain length.

Thanks Jens and Ted, I've been reading through posts from you and others from '08 on this subject and it feels like we have already met. I like your 14 tooth idea. Don't care about more top end just want to move the 4/5 shift point and also avoid lugging the engine too much so I'm going to give 14 a try. Hope you and yours are doing well in these crazy times, I'll report back on how this change works out.

I run 14/45. Great offroad, not fast enough to get you a speed fine on road. It'll do 120 or so, but sounds and feels better at 100 with that gearing. Remember, if you want something that goes like a sports bike, get a sports bike. This aint it.