Just a Gearing question that would apply to most machines. Here's an example: A bike with stock gearing riding in the sand dunes with paddles that could not rev out or pull top gear would actually gain not only acceleration but also top speed if it was geared down, say one tooth on the countershaft sprocket to help it rev out better in its top gear. Am I correct?? The only situation where this wouldn't be true would be in perfect or near perfect traction conditions such as hard packed dirt or pavement.

 

You are right, Norm. This could happen in any terrain.....sand just exaggerates the parasitic power loss of the terrain.