Does a 12 tooth sprocket on the front make all that much of a difference. I ordered one from my dealer and he said it would be in tommorrow. I don't have any good hills to test it on near my home and I am just curious to know if I am getting false hopes. I have found that when I climb hills I have to keep it in first gear to maintain control of it. If I go up in second gear I have to wait till it is in mid range in rpms and by that time you are going up the hill at MACH 1 & trying to keep the front end down. I used to climb every hill in second and had no problems on my 300ex. Now, a helmet is no question and I have to climb everthing in first. Am I going to see a difference on flat ground or what? Is the front end still going to be as lofty on the hills?