85 to 88 Suzuki LT230S Quadsport help.
#8851
04-06-2010, 12:58 PM
Weekend Warrior
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: New Jersey
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#8852
04-06-2010, 03:52 PM
Trailblazer
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Michigan
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Is that trail riding with lots of hills n curves? If so, that's what I ride. I've tried 11, 12, 13, 14 fronts in various combos with 37, 39, 41 backs with my 20 inch tires and my fav is 11/37. Kinda leaves me wishing I had a 6th gear sometimes, but I'm not willing to trade the monster acceleration for top-speed I would so rarely get to see. I can go a good 55mph and that's fast enough for me whizzin past trees.
13/39 is a popular ratio. 13/39 = .333 and 12/36 = .333, but 12/36 will put slightly more power to the ground unless you can find a chain with no mass and no friction. Speaking of friction, an o-ring chain is like driving with the brakes dragging. Anyway, the idea is to keep the front sprocket as small as possible for the ratio you want and to keep the chain as short n light as possible with no unnecessary friction (like o-rings) if the goal is to maximize power. If you're not milkin it, then none of this really matters. In a way, helping someone pick what gears to run is like helping someone decide what to have for dinner. Its all in what you have a taste for.
13/39 is a popular ratio. 13/39 = .333 and 12/36 = .333, but 12/36 will put slightly more power to the ground unless you can find a chain with no mass and no friction. Speaking of friction, an o-ring chain is like driving with the brakes dragging. Anyway, the idea is to keep the front sprocket as small as possible for the ratio you want and to keep the chain as short n light as possible with no unnecessary friction (like o-rings) if the goal is to maximize power. If you're not milkin it, then none of this really matters. In a way, helping someone pick what gears to run is like helping someone decide what to have for dinner. Its all in what you have a taste for.
#8853
04-06-2010, 04:25 PM
#8856
04-06-2010, 07:00 PM
Pro Rider
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Minnesota
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If you go with a non-o-ring (is that right w/ 3 dashes??) chain, you're going to have to keep it lubricated rather than just relying on the o-rings to keep the grease inside. IMO, you can't beat an o-ring chain. BUT if you're crazy about milking every little bit of power out of the 230, go with the non-o-ring chain.
Also, I was going to go with 13/39 w/ 22 inch tires on mine, but I found out that the Bike Bandit case saver I had on there wouldn't work with the 13 tooth front, it was too big. And the case saver was too important to take off.
#8858
04-06-2010, 07:17 PM
Yup, we're talking fractions of a horsepower, lol, but there IS a difference. I suppose when you're down to shaving lugs off tires, spending hours grinding on heads, polishing pistons, and zero-decking cylinders with a sheet of sandpaper, the choice in chain is about the easiest edge you can find. That 400 of yours has too much power to spare... you're cheatin! 
What's your email? PM it or something
What's your email? PM it or something
#8859
04-06-2010, 07:23 PM
