TBR7 Does gearing up ruin off-road capabilities

[Jecklen]

Hi,
So I've been looking into many of the suggested modifications to make to my newly purchased (hasn't arrived) TBR7. One of the recommended mods was a new 17t front sprocket and 42t rear sprocket as this helps not wring the motor out when cruising. I live in arizona so a lot of the road speeds are pretty high, this made it an appealing modification, BUT if you are essentially lowering your torque at the wheels then does that render this enduro a lot less capable off-road or would it just be a matter of downshifting when needed? Thanks guys!

[TheWomp]

Judging by the photos, our bikes are near identical(RPS Magician). I regeared mine 17 front 40 rear and it still rides off road fairly well albeit fast. 1st gear is about where 3rd gear was with the stock sprockets. I think it's a tad too tall for any rough trail riding where you wanna crawl around the place as mine idles(1100rpm) at 8mph. I'm considering going back to the stock 15t front sprocket or getting a 16t just to bring 1st back down a bit.

Last time I went to an offroad park, I spent most of my time in 2nd and 3rd, with long straightaways hitting 5th and hill climbing 1st and 2nd. With my new gearing, I couldn't do the hill climbing or the really twisty trails, otherwise it is OK to use offroading.

[Jecklen]

Thanks for the incredibly helpful reply, that's exactly what I was hoping to find out. I think I'll still with the 17/42 though I may go back to the 47 rear if it ends up being too anemic to crawl over all the rocks in my area.

[alex_in_az]

Originally Posted by Jecklen

Thanks for the incredibly helpful reply, that's exactly what I was hoping to find out. I think I'll still with the 17/42 though I may go back to the 47 rear if it ends up being too anemic to crawl over all the rocks in my area.

I'm running 17/40 on mine and it gives me about 10mph/1000rpm in 5th. Off road my limitation is tires and I'm considering something with a more aggressive tread pattern and then dropping the gearing to 15/40

[Jecklen]

Originally Posted by alex_in_az

I'm running 17/40 on mine and it gives me about 10mph/1000rpm in 5th. Off road my limitation is tires and I'm considering something with a more aggressive tread pattern and then dropping the gearing to 15/40

Hey a fellow Arizonian! I live out in Buckeye. So 10 mph per 1000 rpm in 5th? That tops out at, what? Like 70? That doesn't seem worth it for a bike that stock tops out around 60-65 right?

[alex_in_az]

Originally Posted by Jecklen

Hey a fellow Arizonian! I live out in Buckeye. So 10 mph per 1000 rpm in 5th? That tops out at, what? Like 70? That doesn't seem worth it for a bike that stock tops out around 60-65 right?

I limit it to 75, due to front end instability. it'll pull to 9500rpm in the lower gears with the engine mods I've done and do power up wheelies in 1st

[Boatguy]

Depends on how you like to ride. I like extremely technical trails you could barely walk on and spend your time in first gear on. That’s why I didn’t do the sprocket mods. I also like trucking up hills with my enduro.

So it definitely comes down to your personal choice of wanting more top end speed or more ability when going slowly and in really challenging terrain.m

Without buying a 6 speed, it’s one or the other

[Jecklen]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

Depends on how you like to ride. I like extremely technical trails you could barely walk on and spend your time in first gear on. That’s why I didn’t do the sprocket mods. I also like trucking up hills with my enduro.

So it definitely comes down to your personal choice of wanting more top end speed or more ability when going slowly and in really challenging terrain.m

Without buying a 6 speed, it’s one or the other

This makes sense, I just figured I could get away with a 17 tooth and maybe a 42 in the back if I did a few other mods to up the stock power (mikuni, 110 jetting, cat cutout, low friction chain). Was hoping it would be enough to offset the higher gearing.

[TxTaoRider]

You can always just buy a front sprocket that's a tooth smaller and swap it out if you find its geared to tall for the type of riding you're doing. It only takes a few minutes.