Just wondering what anyone would recommend for good, responsive trail riding in regards to the rear sprocket. Thanks.

 

The one that comes on your machine would be a good starting point, then decide if you need more guts or more speed. More teeth for guts, less teeth for speed. If you find yourself always feathering the clutch in 1st gear, you should probably not go any smaller in the rear.

 

What machine????? For trails, you might want to gear down but it depends on the machine.

On my 400EX I wanted to gear down a little because of running 22" rear tires. I went down a tooth in front, and it was way way to much. It would wheelie at the slightest stab of the throtle. Finally settled on one tooth bigger in the rear.

The 450 is geared tall, so I wanted more low end grunt. I went down a tooth in the front, and it seems just about right for mixed desert riding. I lost some top end speed, but I am still faster than most everybody anyway. Still geared to tall for a really tight trail though.....

Never messed with the 300EX, it was pretty much perfect stock.

 

thanks! and sorry for not mentioning it is a 400ex. I just got a 36t for open field riding and I wanted something to get a little better snort in the low end. I really don't want to mess w/ the front sprocket at all so I will just go up one tooth in the rear and see how that goes. Thanks again.