i am loioking to cut down some fat and want to go with a aluminum rear sprocket to shed a lb or so. i am in the process of having the hubs turned down. anyway are the aluminum sprockets worth the hefty price tag? how long do they last? if not that long i can do with the steel ones for a lb. more of weight. if anyone has one laying around that is still worth a darn pm me.

 

It cracks me up to here about guys on a quad or motorcycle worrying about a pound here or there.....
There is no statical documentation that shows a bike runs slower because of a bolt on part weighing a pound more then the competitors. Of course we are not talking about flywheel or crank weight, that's different, but a sprocket?.....

Stop eating for a day and you'll lose more then a pound and save money to boot......lol [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I dont run the aluminum sprocket, but I understand those that want to shave every last ounce off thier quad. I also agree with scoundrel, go on a diet man! LOL. But I do know from personal experienace, that, in the dunes, you'll probably have to replace the rear aluminum about once a year. Thats not a huge deal in my book.

 

thanks for the diet tips guys but i ride the ds because i am a bigger guy. from hitting the gym six days a week. not from eating doghnuts. anyway the issue is rotating mass. i am no mechanical engineer but i would call the rear sprocket ROTATING MASS. and yes i would be willing to bet that stock for stock a 150lb rider would beat a 300lb rider. i wonder why???????? i am trying to shave some weight to the bike overall but more importantly rotating mass. any other constructive tips would be appreciated. thanks in advance.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

 

I know what you mean bombsaint, im goin thro the same thing. Got a lightweight chain from HPR and a Titax 15 tooth front sprocket, was going to get the rear sprocket, hubs, and axle but im gonna save up and get the Rad MFG titanium setup that comes with the alum sprocket and light hubs. Hopfully the sprocket will last longer than 1 year tho

 

If your going to go aluminum dont get the lower grade ones . Thier lifespan can be measured in weeks. Ive had Talon rears last far longer than any steel sprocket and had a Sprocket Specialists start folding teeth after just a few rides.

 

We were just kidding about the diet stuff but to answer your question about rotating mass on something as small as a sprocket, you are wrong. I am a Mechanical Engineer and the rotating mass delta between the aluminum and steel sprocket is so minimal you would never see it even on a dyno. In addition we are not talking about the power to weight ratio for two riders on the same bike with one weighing in at 300 lbs and the other at a mere 150 lbs. Anyone with an ounce of sense knows the 300lb rider will have a significant power to weight barrier to contend with in order to defeat the lighter rider, of course assuming they have equal riding experience.

 

the sprocket is a change i am interested in addition to lighter hubs, axle hub, and a few other things like wave rotors etc. a sprocket alone may not be enough but when you are shaving weight on rotating mass there is only so much you can cut down on, in my opinion every little bit helps.

 

Im no mechanical engineer either, but, I can tell you as far as rotating mass is concerned that I picked up 4 bikes with the triple buff haulers opposed to regular paddles...thats got to mean something...Now as far as a simple sprocket is concerned, I agree with you. Get the Rad Titanium set-up that has a variety of "less rotating mass" products and I bet you will see a huge difference...thats what Im going to do!
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

what helped me understand about rotating mass was after a day of snow riding our machines (6-8" of wet snow) on snowmobile trails the rear rims had packed full of wet hard pack snow. it did'nt have enough power to pull 3rd gear!! on the flat packed trail no less. any weight you can save spinning i think makes more difference than dead weight sitting on top. i have aluminum sprokets on the 760 and have not replaced them after a couple years now, there from sidewinder and are there tuffest alum sprocket. i also have one i just put on the busa (60 tooth it's huge) now talk about a heavy machine, but this thing has the lightest tire wheel combo i could find and alum sprockets. i wish i had more $$$ for a tie chain. keeping a eye on the rotating mass is wise[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]