Motorcycle Repair: sprocket kits, kawasaki ninja zx, zx 7r

Question
Hi Chris,

     I have a 1997 kawasaki ninja zx-7r and i wanted more power.So the question is my sprocket has 16-43 teeth and i wanted to know if a 16-48 would be good .and if not what do you prefer and also how much speed do u lose by adding an extra tooth or 5 in this case.
                        thanks for your time,
                                 Matt

Answer
Hi Matt.

The big thing about rear sprocket size is that smaller is better if you want off the line power.  If you are looking at long range and more speed at lower rpm's, then go with the larger sprocket.

Now, as far as what will work better for you, keeping what I just said in mind, what size sprocket you use is more a product of personal taste based on what you want to get out of your machine.

As far as how much speed you lose, well I haven't needed to worry about that in a very long time, having gone to shaft drive bikes about 16 years ago.

What you may want to do is to talk to other guys that are riding the race-style bikes who have different sized sprockets and get their opinions on it.  After that you can get a better idea as to what you will, in the end, want.

As I said, it is mostly a matter of personal taste.

Sorry that I cannot help you more.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON