17/40 sprocket setup for hawk 250

Zapkin · Today, 07:54 AM

Well, since it has become abundantly clear that I won't be taking the Hawk off road anymore, I am interested in getting the RPM's as low as possible for street riding. I've seen several people on Amazon switch to the 17/40 setup. I understand I will lose some oomph. But my question is, will my 128 tooth chain fit? I've seen on Amazon that the 17/40 and 128 tooth chains are often bought together, but I wanted to ask you guys before ordering. Thanks.

**JerryHawk250** · Today, 09:36 AM

A 128 link chain will work.

Bill Hilly · Today, 10:41 AM

In my opinion , a 40/17 is not going to be a very good combination for you , nor for most people. I know you changed rear tire, and it reduced your gearing a little, but a 42-43/17 is really about as high as you should go. Some people that use the 40/17 have bikes like the TBR7, which has a smaller rear wheel, but on a Hawk, with an internally stock motor, and a hefty rider, living in a hilly part of the country, it's just going to make it hard to take off, and especially hard to take off from an upward slope. I think it would be harder on the bike than the few extra rpm that you want to reduce. I see post on the Facebook groups were people are recommending " crazy" combinations like 34/17. Jerry ran sprockets that ,if I remember right were 40/17, and was one of the few that was able to benefit from them, but he had a hotter motor, is under 200lbs, and lives in Louisiana.

ProDigit · Today, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Hilly

In my opinion , a 40/17 is not going to be a very good combination for you , nor for most people. I know you changed rear tire, and it reduced your gearing a little, but a 42-43/17 is really about as high as you should go. Some people that use the 40/17 have bikes like the TBR7, which has a smaller rear wheel, but on a Hawk, with an internally stock motor, and a hefty rider, living in a hilly part of the country, it's just going to make it hard to take off, and especially hard to take off from an upward slope. I think it would be harder on the bike than the few extra rpm that you want to reduce. I see post on the Facebook groups were people are recommending " crazy" combinations like 34/17. Jerry ran sprockets that ,if I remember right were 40/17, and was one of the few that was able to benefit from them, but he had a hotter motor, is under 200lbs, and lives in Louisiana.

What rpm range you're getting at what speed?
You should be aiming towards 1k rpm every 10 mph, or 5k rpm at 50mph.
On my Xpect I run a 17/36t as ideal lowest gear. Been asking if the hawk has the same gear ratio as the Xpect, or not, and if it does, you should go with a 36-38t rather than a 40+t.

Today, 07:54 AM	#1
Zapkin Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Ohio Valley Posts: 706	17/40 sprocket setup for hawk 250 Well, since it has become abundantly clear that I won't be taking the Hawk off road anymore, I am interested in getting the RPM's as low as possible for street riding. I've seen several people on Amazon switch to the 17/40 setup. I understand I will lose some oomph. But my question is, will my 128 tooth chain fit? I've seen on Amazon that the 17/40 and 128 tooth chains are often bought together, but I wanted to ask you guys before ordering. Thanks. __________________ 2022 Hawk 250
	2

Today, 09:36 AM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,658	A 128 link chain will work. __________________ 2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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Today, 10:41 AM	#3
Bill Hilly Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 989	In my opinion , a 40/17 is not going to be a very good combination for you , nor for most people. I know you changed rear tire, and it reduced your gearing a little, but a 42-43/17 is really about as high as you should go. Some people that use the 40/17 have bikes like the TBR7, which has a smaller rear wheel, but on a Hawk, with an internally stock motor, and a hefty rider, living in a hilly part of the country, it's just going to make it hard to take off, and especially hard to take off from an upward slope. I think it would be harder on the bike than the few extra rpm that you want to reduce. I see post on the Facebook groups were people are recommending " crazy" combinations like 34/17. Jerry ran sprockets that ,if I remember right were 40/17, and was one of the few that was able to benefit from them, but he had a hotter motor, is under 200lbs, and lives in Louisiana.
	1