WSanders, 12 teeth may still be a tiny bit too tall for your type of riding.

 

If the Raptor is "overgeared" that much, a sprocket change could possibly pick up speed everywhere.

 

Scooby...have you tried the 18/38 combination on your DS. Was the top end speed as-good or did the motor have to labor too much and actually loose top end speed? Thanks!

 

garyc660R, I run 17/38 gearing on the DS650, stock is 16/40. The DS was geared way, way too low in stock form. I made the gearing taller to make first gear more usable, and to give the DS a better holeshot in a drag race by having a first gear that was not too short. Also, with the short gearing, riding a wheelie was difficult because I would run out of gear after getting the frontend up. It seemed like the motor was not under much of a load due to very, very short gearing (I weigh 170lbs). It actually seemed like less power was available with short gearing, because you run out of gear too quick, so the pull is just for a second and stops. In addition, I couldn't stand 5th gear, it reved too high and felt like I needed a sixth gear. Plus, I thought 75mph was too low of a top speed for a 650cc bike, although it is rare that I can get up to this speed where I ride. Oh, one other problem was lack of traction with the short gearing as well as always being on the rev limiter, especially in sand. So with the taller gearing I solved all my problems. To answer your question, NO I did not lose top speed, I gained top speed, and the motor doesn't have to labor too much, except in sand, so I don't use 5th gear in sand. The motor seems to labor less, because on average I tend to run lower RPMs than with the short stock gearing. Keep in mind that my taller gearing is still shorter than the Raptors stock gearing!!