Gearing

[anon]

From: scracha Sent: 27/11/2002

I don't know if this applies to the faired version (certainly not the 900 as it's a shaftie) but the standard gearing on the 600N is WAY too low and the fuel economy suffers badly as a result.

Once the OEM chain was worn out, fit a DID chain with the rear sprocket two teeth smaller than standard. This will bring the revs down to below 5000rpm at 80mph (and a leisurely 3750rpm at 60mph) and the bike still pulls nicely around town. I'd recommend just going one tooth smaller if a lot of 2's up work is done or you spend most of your time in town.

From: james Sent: 22/04/2003

I bought a 2001 XJ600 3 months ago and during my 25 mile commute each day I certainly did notice that the engine was buzzing at what seemed to be a high rpm for a cruise at 80mph.
The standard bike comes with a 48 tooth rear sprocket.I changed this for a 46 tooth one and it has made a noticeable difference.At 80mph the bike cruises as 6000 rpm which feels a lot better and more suitable to the speed.The acceleration is still there .The big advantage is that it pulls it's gears for longer and this means less shifting .First gear is worth using now and not a waste of time as before.
I have ridden a few hundred miles with my wife on the back and it has no problem coping with the extra load!.
I would certainly recommend this
James

From: Craig Sent: 11/05/2003

Mine's a '94 XJ600S, and for the first 3 months of ownership I barely used 1st gear. It just wasn't worth it.

Cruising at 80 equalled 6,000rpm, and my tank range was around 190-200 miles.

The original sprockets were a 16 front, and a 48 rear.

I have now re-sprocketed to a 17 front, and a 43 rear - What a difference !!!!!!!!

80mph now equals 5,000 rpm. I use 1st gear. Tank range is 240 miles.

The bike is only used 1-up, so I don't know what would happen with a pillion, but there is still plenty of accelleration.

Highly recommend it.

Craig

[aardy]

Although some may think the gearing is too low on the 600 and fit higher gearing I found the opposite. By fitting a one tooth lower front sprocket I found that it does increase the acceleration a bit and makes the bike more responsive. It takes about 5 mph of the top speed down to 115 and you are right on the red line. Does anyone have any idea what the speed limit is in Britain anyway? Top speed I can live without but a bit more acceleration is always good to have.

Top speed is just a number, acceleration is a feeling. (Could someone arrange for this to be put on my headstone when the time comes)

Isn't it nice that you can change the gearing to suit your personal tastes.

If anyone is interested WE Motorcycles do one for about 16 quid

It is a modification I would recommend and you can even get the bike to wheelie (a bit)

[ateyercheese]

How much are these rear sprockets (with less teeth than standard)? where abouts can you get them from?

[m40man]

These sell them.... (Approx £20)
shop.wemoto.com/index.dyn

Search for your model bike - I can't get the link to work

[halloway]

Do these changes require any modification to the chain or is there enough space in the swinging arm to adjust the rear wheel to take up the slack?

[teejayexc]

As you'd worked out, no modifications needed to chain. Fitting a sprocket with one or two more or less teeth won't affect the chain length that much.

Trev

[CD]

I found the std 600 gearing about right. If the engine had been turning more slowly I'd have probably been more often dropping into the vibes range.

[nobby]

I am going to be replacing the chain and sprokets on my bike soon.
As I havent ridden it much since owning it I will replace with standard for now and see how it goes.