Ok... i went to the shop to get a new front sprocket cuz i have worn the old one down and i have also put bigger tires on it. The mechanics there said i should go up a tooth[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] is this right? people say both ways and im kinda confused but if their wrong i want to get it changed cuz ordering it cost me $21[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img] and i want to get back up and running soon.

 

I just put a smaller front sproket on my wifes 96 TrailBoss and it was a big improvment,We also have taller/heavier tires on it.
If you go up a tooth it will gain topend, and if you drop a tooth you will gain bottomend.

Rockymountainatv has front sprockets for $7.00 if no one has them in your area.

 

I put 24" Mudlites on my trailboss. I then went to a 12 tooth front sprocket and found that i actually lost a little top end unless I had about 3 miles of open road to wind it out. I put the 11 tooth stock sprocket back on it and have ordered a 42 tooth rear sprocket. That should let me have a lot more bottom end and let the rpms build a little faster so it will be interesting to see what happens when I get it on. I also got my 12 tooth front sprocket from a local shop for $15.00 and didn't have to wait for it.

 

It is better to see the Big Picture (Gear Ratio)
Try not to thinking just bigger or smaller sprockets.
11 tooth front with a 36 tooth back =3:27 to 1 ratio

Changing the front sprocket makes Larger changes.
10 tooth front with 36 tooth back =3.60 to 1
12 tooth front with 36 tooth back =3.00 to 1

Changing the Rear sprocket makes smaller changes.
11 tooth front with a 34 tooth back =3.09 to 1
11 tooth front with a 38 tooth back =3.45 to 1

If you are not sure how gear ratio works, to find what it is
Divide the rear sprocket teeth (36) by the front sprocket teeth (11) = 3:27 to 1

3:27 to 1 means your front sprocket will turn just over 3 1/4 times to 1 full revoulution of the rear sprocket.
The more your front sproket turns in comparision to 1 rear revolution (gain more low end, Loose top end)
The less your front sprooket turns in comparision to 1 rear revolution (You loose low end, gain top end)
Note: you can only gain top end speed if your bike has the power to pull the gears.