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04+ RSVR Gearing

Travy14

Travy14

Joined Jul 2014
27 Posts | 0+
Riverview, Fl
I keep reading that people are changing gearing from stock 17-42 to 16-44. After some research I found the stock gearing for 04+ RSVR is 16-40. My bike feels flat for all the mods it has (full exhaust, EVO airbox, K&N filter, PCIII, ecu set to 2), so I checked my gearing. It was changed to 16-42. Has anyone with a 04 and up changed gearing? I want to take it back to stock or gear up. Top speed is 143 and it hits the rev limiter fast. My last 2 bikes were a ZX-12R and a Busa. I know they aren't the same but its apparent the gearing is off. I would like to see if a 17 will fit this or drop the rear to a 38. Any input is greatly appreciated.
 
I have 15/40 (16/40 is stock, as you mentioned), and will change it to 15/42 - so opposite to what you intend to do.

Usually RSVR riders want to go towards that direction (->15/42) because most feel that even the stock gearing is too "fast". Stock gearing makes the bike uncomfortable in city traffic and the low power (140 hp) does not facilitate a longer gearing. I'd guess that a 17 teether might not increase top speed - could even reduce it?

After a Hayabusa, an RSVR feels unresponsive at higher revs just because there is not much power!
 
If you want acceleration you go - at the front and + at the rear. If you want slower acceleration and higher top speed do the opposite. Which are you after?
I run 15/42 so -1 front +2 rear and it can do over 160mph. Don't really need that fast so may swap rear to a 43 which I'm told is a common track use.
 
i am curious to know how with 16/42 gearing it is only topping out at 143???

my Gen 1 has 16/44 and hits over 160 no problem and my Gen 2 on standard gearing would top out higher than that, there should be no way that adding two teeth to the rear sprocket loses you over 20mph
 
Lateshift said:
i am curious to know how with 16/42 gearing it is only topping out at 143???

my Gen 1 has 16/44 and hits over 160 no problem and my Gen 2 on standard gearing would top out higher than that, there should be no way that adding two teeth to the rear sprocket loses you over 20mph
Click to expand...

I was curious of that too. My bike is a gen2 with 16/42 and can do over 160 comfortably.
 
Lateshift said:
i am curious to know how with 16/42 gearing it is only topping out at 143???

my Gen 1 has 16/44 and hits over 160 no problem and my Gen 2 on standard gearing would top out higher than that, there should be no way that adding two teeth to the rear sprocket loses you over 20mph
Click to expand...

A Gen2 on 16/44 gearing would top out at about 157mph. You might just squeeze 165mph with 16/42, or 162mph with 15/40. ;)
 
ride4fun said:
A Gen2 on 16/44 gearing would top out at about 157mph. You might just squeeze 165mph with 16/42, or 162mph with 15/40. ;)
Click to expand...

Sounds about right. Mine has shown 166mph with 16/42 but then it has a few dirty secrets to help it make power.
 
I assume them figures are taken from the gearing commander website?

I have changed my Gen 2 from standard to 15/42 but have yet to give it an outing on the new gearing but I will be happy if it can still manage 150, it would be rare i would need it to do that sort of speed, drive at lower speeds is what i am after.

As for the Gen 1 that is running 16/44 on a 108 link chain and have frequently crept over the 160 but obviously there is some margin of error still in there.

The question still begs though as to how the original poster has 16/42 gearing on a Gen 2 and is only topping out at 143, particularly when it should only have dropped theoretically from 176 to 166 :dunno
 
Lateshift said:
I assume them figures are taken from the gearing commander website?

I have changed my Gen 2 from standard to 15/42 but have yet to give it an outing on the new gearing but I will be happy if it can still manage 150, it would be rare i would need it to do that sort of speed, drive at lower speeds is what i am after.

As for the Gen 1 that is running 16/44 on a 108 link chain and have frequently crept over the 160 but obviously there is some margin of error still in there.

The question still begs though as to how the original poster has 16/42 gearing on a Gen 2 and is only topping out at 143, particularly when it should only have dropped theoretically from 176 to 166 :dunno
Click to expand...

No, I used my calculator; it's simple maths of ratios based upon Aprilia's top speed figure on original gearing (16/40). This assumes that sixth gear is selected, and that the rear wheel and tyre is the original size, and that the gearbox ratios are unchanged (cannot see why they would be any different).
 
Im wondering if something is wrong with my speed sensor. Bike is pegged and will barely hit 140. I want to try the 17 in the front. You have to ride these bikes like a 2 stroke. Keep them in the power band between 5000-9000. The bike is explosive but the gearing doesn't match the power band. I think they should be geared up not down. It feels like wasting horsepower. If the 17 tooth will fit, Ill get one and let you know how it rides. With this current gearing, the gears are way too short. I m also going to shorten the Arrow pipes by half and tune the suspension. Has anyone had issues with their speed sensors not reading true? can they be removed and cleaned?
 
If you up the gearing, you will probably find that the bike will drop out of the power band between gear changes, and also it will struggle to reach its top speed; if anything, you could, potentially, make it slower. Also, you'll be doing a lot of clutch slipping around town.

As for riding it like a two stroke, I think you may be missing the point of a big V-twin; using the low down torque to drive it out of corners, overtaking, threading bends together, etc. Sure, you can ride it manically, but I doubt you'd be getting the most out of the bike, or going any faster, for that matter.

Are you sure you have the gearing right? What you are experiencing seems to be contradicting everyone else's knowledge and experience.
 
Lateshift said:
So what rpm are you hitting when it tops out?
Click to expand...



Somewhere around 9000 and it quits climbing. It may be something else but it feels like the gears are just wrong. Should I mention this is a factory bike? It will hit redline all day but 6th gear it won't go passed 143. It feels like it's a lot faster than that but reads 143 top.
 
And you are positive that this is definitely 16/42 gearing?

Have you noticed any fluctuations in the reported speed at all? The speed sensors themselves can play up to and are a bit of a weak point on some bikes.

The fact that it feels like it's not accelerating anymore in top at around 9000 is a bit strange as these bikes will bounce off the limiter when they eventually top out.

Is everything else on the bike in good running order with the PCIII having been custom mapped?
 
The differences between the R and Factory do not affect the performance; the engine specifications are identical. Power is supposed to peak at 139bhp @ 9,500rpm with the standard exhaust and map 1. If your bike cannot pull past 9,000rpm in top, it suggests, to me, that either the gearing too high (not the case from the information provided), or the engine is down on power. Even so, on 16/42 gearing, your top speed should be reading about 156mph @ 9,000rpm, which I calculated assuming top speed it attained where there is maximum power.
 
Last edited:
Lateshift said:
And you are positive that this is definitely 16/42 gearing?

Have you noticed any fluctuations in the reported speed at all? The speed sensors themselves can play up to and are a bit of a weak point on some bikes.

The fact that it feels like it's not accelerating anymore in top at around 9000 is a bit strange as these bikes will bounce off the limiter when they eventually top out.

Is everything else on the bike in good running order with the PCIII having been custom mapped?
Click to expand...



I'm positive the gearing is 16-42. It's stamped in big numbers on the sprockets. They are AFAM sprockets. I pulled the speed sensor and it is covered in brake dust. I'll try to clean it and put die electric in the plug.

As for riding experience this is my second v twin and 5th street bike. I've had a Zx-6r, zx-12r, 1400 Suzuki cruiser, and busa. Quads and dirtbikes of all makes and models from banshees to ds650s to cr500 and yz426fs. This bike doesn't feel right. Anyone in the tampa Florida area that has a RSVR is free to check her out and take a lap to see for themselves.
 
Being able to ride another RSV for comparison would be helpful for you. The speed can be checked by using a GPS speedometor, such as on your mobile or satnav. But if it's not pulling, that's a lack of power. I reckon a session on a rolling road would be beneficial in your case, to check the PCIII, fueling, etc.
 
ride4fun said:
Being able to ride another RSV for comparison would be helpful for you. But if it's not pulling, that's a lack of power. I reckon a session on a rolling road would be beneficial in your case, to check the PCIII, fueling, etc.
Click to expand...

I agree with ride4fun it sounds more like a lack of power. I suspect there is a mismatch between the ecu map/setup and the PCIII. Has the bike been dyno'd after the changes? It doesn't sound like it to me.
Get the PCIII set up by a competent technician at a known quality facility, get a custom map installed on the PCIII and I think all your power issues will disappear.

Gray
 
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