I changed my front to a 16 tooth about a month ago, big difference !!! It still got about the same mileage as before (not that I care), I checked it Thursday 203 miles, 4.1 gallons....The bike is much more "user friendly" with that change.

I just put a 43 tooth rear sprocket on it this morning, It's crappy out, and haven't rode it yet with this change, got to believe it will be a major help also...

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012 DL1000 Adventure

08 XL1200

I am running 17/45 and that is about where you will be with 16/43. I think you'll find it too short of gearing after a while. I am going to 17/43 next time around.

Do report though!

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2003 DL1000 K3

“The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.” - Winston Churchill

I agree. I'm going back to 17/43. But everyone is different.

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2012 Vee Adventure

If I had nothing but twisties, I would probably stay with this short gearing, but I do get on the highway every once in a while. I dunno. I hope the 17/43 is the happy medium for me.

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2003 DL1000 K3

“The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.” - Winston Churchill

I've rode it enough with the new gearing to say that it's the best mod i've done to a bike.....I loved everything about the Vstrom except the engine, but it was the gearing, not the engine power...I love it !!!

I checked the speedo with my GPS:

35-45

55-65

65-80 4K rpm's

70-85 4500 rpm's

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012 DL1000 Adventure

08 XL1200

Yeah, I've found that with my 16/43 setup, the indicated MPH is almost exactly 20% high- 60 indicated=50, 100=80, 90=72, etc.

Wouldn't trade the gearing for the world. The bike loves to rev, and I've run it for 20 hours straight at 5k plus. That motor eats it up.

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"I'm not advocating bike abuse... but I'm way into it."
-Stratocastinator

"Definitely do not sit on a DL1000. Big mistake. You'll end up buying one. Happened to me. True story."
-busarider54

"Purchasing a V-Strom from a Harley dealer does have poetic justice. Almost like removing a talented child from a meth house."
-ShortOnSkill

I changed to 16/43 and ended up going with 17/43. Just seemed better for my riding style. Added a Speedo DRD to correct the speedo and am very happy with this set up.