Different gearing for the rain?

[OreoGaborio]

This weeks winter race topic. Who uses different gearing for rain races?


Back when I had the EX I used a sprocket that I think was two up from what I used in the dry... seemed to work out alright. Now that I'm finally getting a second set of rims for the SV I was just wondering who else practiced this & how much of a change you make.

[Paul_E_D]

I used to gear shorter on the 125, but that had no grunt. I'd think leaving it the same on the SV would be good, it might mellow the power delivery a little.

[Degsy]

I go into 'C' mode on my gixxer

[OreoGaborio]

My gixxer didn't come w/ C mode.... and it's missing two cylinders. Help?

Paul... Yeah I kept the gearing the same last race weekend of '08... it worked alright but I had to modify my shift points a bit more than I wanted.... and sometimes on the fly at that.

[Kitt]

you go up 2 in the front?? seems like a lot!

I usually run what I brung, but with more sprocket selection this year due to various tracks, I will be dropping down 3 or 4 on the rear in the rain - less "get up and go" for the rain.

[OreoGaborio]

I didn't say "front", foo I went +2 on the rear on the EX.

[Doc]

Nice discussion. I might try and go up 2 on the rear in the rain. Thanks Pete!

[Degsy]

Nice discussion. I might try and go up 2 on the rear in the rain. Thanks Pete!

Up 2 seems the wrong way unless you will be using a gear higher through all the turns. Don't forget to soften up the suspension also when racing in the rain.

[OreoGaborio]

Degs, I know there are the pros & cons to this, but I thought the point to shortening it ever so slightly is to keep your shift points roughly the same despite the slightly slower lap times, no?

[s a x m a n]

leave mine the same, shift between gears as little as possible (half the time as in the dry) ... its all about smooth

[Paul_E_D]

I used to ADD teeth to the rear in the rain. It did keep my shift points in the ballpark, and gave me some drive out of the turns.

But again, the 125 would fall flat on its face with my dry gearing. no drive at all out of the turns, but riding a gear lower was not an option as we used 1st gear. with my dry gearing first is equal to 3rd on a 600.

I would think the SV could pull the same gearing in the rain. But then, going down 2 teeth in the back and using 2nd gear in 3 might work (or one gear lower than what you use in the dry).

[CEO]

Seems to me like going up in the rear would help account for your lower speeds but going down in the rear would help prevent highsides...

I think maybe what bike you're running would also be a big factor in this which is why we are getting a variety of opinions?

[a13x]

Personally I like it lugging more in the rain so the rear wheel is less likely to spin up. Then again I can't lower my RMZ's gearing much more (16/38)! It's already hard enough to move in 1st.

[Kitt]

I didn't say "front", foo I went +2 on the rear on the EX.

well this seems opposite of what many people would do. I can deifnately see the reduced worry of wheel spin on an ex, but changing gearing to keep shift points the same seems like a waste.

-2 in the rear for me in the rain this year if any... otherwise, run the same as dry (-1 +5 from stock)

[Cerberus]

i know i'm no racer..
but i would think that sending more torque per throttle input to the rear wheel while riding in poor traction conditions would be a bad idea

[brewmaster]

I like to go -1 or 2 on the back. But my bike is also a torque monster so this helps. Besides what do I know about rain racing....