Cheapest option is changing the front, you'll be geared low enough for where your riding. The negative is that the small 12 tooth forces the chain to bend at a very sharp angle that isn't good on the life and wear of the chain, you also loose a small amount of HP from it.

If you go up in the rear 2 teeth wont equal the same as the smaller sprocket, I think 3-4 teeth equal close to the same ratio change. You won't be geared as low if you change the rear 2. The negative is less ground clearence and a possibility your skid plate wont fit.

I recommend changing both sprockets out at the same time though, they tend to wear out even faster if you mix a slightly worn one with a new one. Gearing is tough to get it where you like, just give it patients and youll get it. Good luck!

Gear Ratio chart <--- Check that out.

 

so is the stock gearing on a raptor 13/40? i think im going to just switch the front to 12 and hopefully it will improve my sand hill climbs.

 

yes stock gearing is 13/40

 

I dropped to a 12 front on a bone stock raptor. It was faster out of the hole and I held a lead until well into 5th gear against a stock geared, stock raptor. We ran quite a few times with the same result. When I piped it, the bike was still faster than other piped raptors and did wonders with my paddle tires.

 

cool..now which sprocket brand do i get..which is the best?

 

Maddog56--- Thanks, thats good info.

How do you think a piped Raptor with a 12/40 vs. a piped Raptor with a 14/40 in a 1/8th mile drag race would perform? (assuming both raptors had identical setup with the gearing as an exception.)

Also...... If my Raptor only has 5 or 6 rides on it, do I need to put a new rear 40t on with the new front.

 

I'm a fan of renthal steel sprockets, not too expensive and very good quality.

As far as the 1/8th mile, it would depend somewhat on the pipe. Some pipes are low end biased while others give the power up top and could pull taller gearing when revving it out. I didnt throw a 14 tooth on until I had thrown a stage 1 cam in, but it was faster than the 12. I have a little more power and run a 14/40 setup most of the time in the trails.

Fronts are cheap, I would buy both and play around with them. If your rear is relatively new, dont worry about replacing it.

 

i was looking at the renthals also....how are sprocket specialist sprockets?? any good or are all sprockets pretty much same quality?

 

I went to 12 tooth on the front. Loved it in the dunes! Ended up using third alot more. Great for climbing, too.

On the trail, I was reving up too high in 5th. So, I put taller tires (22") on the back for non dunes. That did the trick. Stuck with 20 inch paddles for the dunes.

If you go with 42 or larger rear sproket, you will have to space off your swing-arm skid plate. This lowers ground clearance. If you run taller tires, it not an issue.

I ended up with 12/42 so I could get the right RPMS on comp hill in 3rd.

I am using sproket specialist. No complaints yet.

 

hmm..now im not sure if i should just switch out the front or rear also..now will switchin the front to 12 and leavin the rear help noticeably in hill climbs in the sand?? or should i also do what u did and get the 42 rears?