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Noob Saying Hi & 15/42 Gearing & Stuff

Joined Mar 2009
36 Posts | 0+
Oxon
Gents

First post, be gentle with me!

Had my 2003 RSVR over the winter and just about to start putting some decent miles on her with a 2500 mile bash around France, Italy, Germany (rtb via the 'Ring!). I got the bike with std 17/42 gearing which was hideous at low speed but which I changed to 15T front when last in with Griff at apriliaPerformance. The change is a revelation on fast UK roads and I look fwd to my first Mallory Park track day with it next month, but does raise the cruise rpm quite a bit and I'm assuming hit tank range which is my problem with such a long trip looming.

Question is, does anyone have any long-range evidence of tank range reduction this gearing has? I seem to lucky to get 100-110 miles from a tankful and a 10% hit on that would mean about 30 refuels for the trip!

Anyone run a 16/42 combo? Front sprocket change is cheaper than rear. Mind you those SuperSprox gold anodised look nice?

BTW great forum (and the others). I've learnt more about this bike in 3 months than all my last in 20 years despite having some of the most unreliable Hondas ever made.

So far courtesy of this website's advice I've changed/replaced:

14AH YUASA Batt, 150A Starter solenoid, taken out rear brown connector, K & N air filter (yet to do Badger;s box) and rear speed sensor.

To do: MPL slave, #40 clutch oil jet, HID Conversion, PCIII, pipe (still with the original monster), charging circuit wire mod, rear brake heat shield, Griff's rearsets, rear linkage service....

Lastly, I have a disconnected green/blue wire next to the ECU/batt underseat area. It's not one of the ECU connector wires but a separate part of the loom there with a bullet connector. It makes no diffference to idle perf when conected/diconnected but just wondering. Any clues?:dunno

Cheers
R101
 
Hi, 110 miles to a tank?? You lucky thing! Haha. I'm on the light by about 90 miles but I'm pretty sure I've got -1 +2 gearing

The bullet connector is probably the diagnostic wire, when connected it tells you any fault codes and the TPS position.
 
Welcome mate - sounds like you're already mainlining from the motherlode if you've done all those mods and discovered Griff.
I'm running 16/42 and only get around 110 to the tank - less if I'm 'in a hurry' - didn't seem to make a lot of difference to MPG when I went down from 17.
Think you'll just have to accept that you're touring on a sportsbike and short comfort breaks on a Mille every tankful are really no bad thing. Have a fun trip.
 
Welcome R101 :thumbup

Yes they are thirsty old lumps to run, ive just changed my gearing from 16/40 to 15/42 :thumbup
Not done any long distant trips with the new gearing yet, best make sure i carry my cash card at all times me thinks :devious
 
Welcome to The Zone Raptor,

Last year, ridng to the French Alps on main french N and toll roads, i was regularly getting 130 to 140 miles until the fuel light came on and then there was a good 30 or so miles left in reserve. This was on 16/45 gearing which is esentially the same as your bike's 15/42 gearing.

The gearing doesn't really make that much difference to the average mpg obtained, it's more your riding style that matters
 
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Thanks for the welcome and replies fellas.

Legs, ta for the range info. I only ask about cruise range as I need to cross the boring bit of France in quick time to get the most out of the twisties so I figure on pressing down to the Route Napoleon (anyone here done that road? I came back in the car with wife and kids and promised myslf I'd do it on a bike this year!) via 500 miles of Autoroute and the excellent:

http://www.gearingcommander.com/

indicates that my normal cruise rpm is up by 16%. Ah well we'll see? I'll let you kno how 600 miles in a day on an old shape Mille feels! That's why I need to do the MPL slave....

R101
 
Did the Napoleon in early 90s on a borrowed Z550 - gave it back with no pads and a knackedred front disc, not to mention a cracked oil control ring - cost me as much in Autoroute services synthetic as it did in fuel to get it back across France! Stunning road though - just make sure everything's up to scratch.
You shouldn't have any problem crossing the boring bits as Milles at motorway speeds are pretty comfy - just have to suss out your ideal seating position to avoid screen turbulence.
Take care.
 
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