Gearing

[J Kevin]

I only have 1122 miles on my new 950. I am not use to the hi rpm range one needs to stay at in the twists. My other ride is a Honda ST1300 and it has gobs of low end torque. One of my buddies suggested I drop the front sprocket 1 tooth. Any thoughts on this?

[neilb]

Snap! My other bike is an ST1300 too on which I've done some 80000 miles. One of the joys of the Duke for me is opening it up around the twisties, letting the revs rise and enjoying the glorious sound of that engine. It's a totally different experience to the Honda. Get some more miles under your belt and just get to know the bike better....the engine is a peach! So is the chassis for that matter. I've done just under 5000 miles on it and absolutely love it. The ST is used for the big mileages around Europe and the Duke has been mainly for fun, although it has done some 300+ mile days. It may well get used for European trips and is certainly up to the job, but when you're used to a Pan, set up exactly how you want it, you're really spoilt for anything else.

Oh, by the way,  to the forum

[J Kevin]

Thanks for the advise. We are having a very mild winter and I live in one of the best riding areas in Calif. I will take your advise and I will let you know haw it works out.

[Moto45]

+1 on holding off on gearing changes until you put more miles on the engine. Mine really loosened up after about 2k. A Ducati twin will never be known for exceptional low end grunt as you know but use of the different riding modes and more miles on the motor makes a big difference under 3k rpm’s.

[J Kevin]

Thanks for the advise. I will let you know how it works out after I get some more miles racked up.

[Conman]

The bike loves revs. It's taken me a long time to get used to revving the engine, I have a bit more "mechanical sympathy" and prefer and engine that pulls lower down. It's the first bike I've owned that I have to change into first to roll through junctions at less than 15mph  In a review I saw, they commented that it doesn't have much low down grunt but you can hold on to lower gears a lot longer to compensate.

Now I'm used to it I don't even notice it, and it sure does shift 

[J Kevin]

I just made the change to a 14 tooth front sprocket. My first ride was around my housing track. (its 1 to 4 acer parcels and ether up or down hill in all directions). I now can run in 2nd and or 3rd all around it. I just got back from a 70 mile ride on some great tight  canyon roads. It was defiantly the right move for me. I also tried a short stretch on the freeway. 70-80 mph was very comfortable. 

[Conman]

If it improves the bike for you that's excellent 

What is the standard gearing? Have you added a tooth or taken one off? Why is it better? I guess it's made it rev a lot less for you in each gear. How does that affect the torque? I'd be worried about it shaking my fillings out at low revs.

We need answers - and detailed answers 

[tozes]

I have also a grudge with the factory gearing, coming from a high torque machine it feels wrong to keep the revs high. Other issue I have with it is during city rides where the speed limit is 50km/h. In 2nd it's revving a bit high for my taste and in 3rd I have to shift down right away if I need to slow down even just a bit otherwise it starts stuttering.

I was also thinking about fitting a smaller front sprocket so it's great news you're satisfied with it. Do you feel any increase in torque?

And btw, did you get it from Ducati or aftermarket and how much was the damage if you don't mind me asking?

[J Kevin]

It now feels like it has a lot of low end torque. I can now ride the compression up to the apex of a corner and accelerate out of it without down shifting. I just got back into riding about 5 years ago after about a 20 year break. My wife was in a bad accident witch left her disabled. I am 75 and don't ride as hard as I once did. I do enjoy cutting thru a good mountain road and keeping myself on the edge. The change to a 14 tooth (from the 15) was the right move for me.