Just wondering what everyone is running on their LT500's. I am not worried so much about having high mph. I realize that adjustments can be made by changing the rear also. So anyway, just curiosity so let me know what you are running and why please. Thanks.

 

I've run 12, 13, and 14 tooth front sprockets... I only ride in the sand, and here's my thoughts on each:

12: This made my 1st gear essentially useless... to me, it's almost like using the 14 tooth, except 1st gear is a granny gear, and you almost ALWAYS start in 2nd gear. I suppose if you needed to pull a few stumps or something, 12 might work for ya'.

13: I liked the 13 because it gave me a little extra umph at the low end. Granted, I lost a little top end (not much tho), and besides, I rarely needed to do 73 mph anyway.

14: My biggest complaint with the 14 tooth is that I wasn't able to lug the zilla slowly past the sound cops... round these parts, the sound pigs like to pick on the louder bikes [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Typically, when you see the police on the paths to the dunes, you put it in 2nd or 3rd and idle past them (trying to stay quiet)... but with the 14 tooth, it seems like you're doing 20 mph, and that pisses them off, too... oh, and again, the top speed thing is not a big priority for me.

Later,

 

what is the stock tooth number?

 

Stock gearing is 13Fr-42Rr on the 87 Zillas
and 13Fr-40Rr for the 88-90 Zillas.

 

I thought that I read somewhere that the stock for the 88-90's was 14f and 40r. Trying to find it again. Thanks Spazardman for the input, that is the type of info I was looking for.

 

According to the Zuki manual Superstar is right. Possible changes could have been introduced by different dealers I suppose.

 

Oh, I forgot, I run a 14t for the same reasons. 12 and 13 make 1st gear too small for me. I've got a 15t that I have never used. I wanted to see how fast this thing would go, but the 15t appears to be too big to clear my swingarm. Besides the 14t does fine. Does or has anybody tried a 15t?