If you like your 12 tooth, you are going to love an 11. Tried mine out yesterday. It is great for what I want. It tamed 1st down and it behaves great on hills and trails. 2nd pulls strong from
low speeds and 2-5 are spaced just right. It likes to run in 2nd and 3rd with ease. It seems to
break the tires loose a lot easier which helps to keep the front end down when you need it to
stay down. Quick throttle response in 1st does not seem to come on quite so fast and is very
managable. I also did not have any clutch fade all day.

 

Raptorrider2001, I run a 11 tooth on my raptor also and yes it is perfect for the type of riding I do also. Just wanted to let you know to keep checking the front sprocket for wear because they dont last real long I got about 1.5 months of hard riding out of mine, so keep and eye on it and change it as soon as you see the teeth start to get pointed and bend it is worth the $$$ seeing how the sprockets are cheap! I might go up to a 42 in the rear and run a 12 in the front this should be about the same gearing I will do this as long as I dont have to shim my skid plate down because I dont want to loose any ground clearance.

 

What brand of aftermarket sprockets are you guys running? Seems like excessive wear but I do not know anything about ATV's, only road bikes.

 

I bought from Sprocket Specialists. The part number is a 504. Specify the size you want. I bought an 11 and 12. They are $12.99 each plus shipping.

 

I wonder if the excessive wear is from the tighter turning radius of the chain? Anyone else know about this or have this problem?

 

You will need a 1 1/4" or a 32mm socket

 

Why does everyone keep saying that a 12 front / 42 rear combo is about the same as a 11 / 40. Unfortunately, to get as low as a 11 / 40 with a 12 front, you have to go to a 44 rear (although a 43 will get you close). And a 44 rear will definately reduce the already small ground clearance.
Steven
Blue '01 Raptor

 

The excessive wear on the 11 tooth sprocket is because it is in contact with the chain more than a 12 tooth sprocket. If the chain has 99 links for example then each tooth on the 11 tooth sprocket comes in contact with the chain 9 times for each revolution cycle of the chain. If you use a 12 tooth sprocket then each tooth contacts the chain 8 1/4 times each chain revolution which will produce less wear. You may want to try to find a stainless steel front sprocket so you won't have to change them very often, if ever.