The standard sprocket combination on my bike is 16 teeth on the driver and 45 teeth on the wheel sprocket. The chain has 114 links. This makes for a 6000 RPM engine speed at 100 Km/h road speed. I like riding on highways and I thought this high engine speed made no sense. I changed my sprockets to 17/40. Now the engine revs at 5000 RPM for 100 Km/h and it feels a lot better (less vibration, less noise). The change at low speed is barely noticeable. I just want to warn you about the connecting link that you will need. The chain on my 2012 VStar is not an O-ring chain. It was not evident which of the 3 choices of links to order from Sunstar. I opted for the #SS520XTG-L link which happens to be an O-ring link (the picture is the same for their 3 choices!). I used it anyway, putting the O-rings on the outboard side only as there was not enough space for all 4 O-rings. Also the connecting plate was very hard to push onto the pins. Lastly, you will have to remove 3 links from the chain to end up with 112 links with the new connecting link.
I will have to check what sprockets I have on my bike if I can get the revs down on the highway without effecting low end that sounds like a good thing as I mostly ride in the country \ highways and not around town. Thanks for your input on the forum.
Hi PD186, I bought my sprockets and connecting link from Sunstar Sprockets. You can also check with JT sprockets, they have a nice site. The driver sprocket I got from Sunstar was missing the two M6 threaded holes used for locking the sprocket in place. I had to tap these holes myself very carefully as the sprockets are somewhat hardened. Sunstar assumed me this was very very unusual but offered no compensation.
Thanks for that It is a shame that Sunstar didn't want to fix the problem It makes me think twice about using them.
