2016 V Strom 16T Sprocket ?

6536 Views 42 Replies 13 Participants Last post by realshelby, 7 mo ago

obsean24

Discussion Starter · 9 mo ago

1st post folks, I am seeking to upgrade my new to me 2016 V Strom 650 front sprocket from stock to 16 tooth front sprocket. I love the low end torque but when I commute to work about 20 miles doing +80 @ 5500-6000 RPM I feel this could not be a good thing as time goes by. I coming from a Vulcan 900 so I am new to the whole chain thing. My question, is there a kit for 16T front sprocket with rear sprocket & chain? Stock chain size shows 525x116 @ 15 teeth. If I purchase all 3 items separate, use same chain size? I have not found this kit setup just yet. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

1 - 20 of 43 Posts

GFHVstrom

· #2 · 9 mo ago

On my k4 dl650 I swapped to the 16T with no other changes since my chain was fairly new. Works great for me, taller first gear and 6th is now like an over-drive. Some don't like it but cruises well on highway. You can always downshift if you need more power.

Rolex

· #3 · 9 mo ago

If the chain and rear sprocket you have now are still OK you can just replace the front.

The front will wear faster than the rear because it spins more times than the rear over the same distance.

obsean24

Discussion Starter · #4 · 9 mo ago

Yes, I looked back at the rear sprocket and realized it looks pretty new. I am unsure about the chain. Will either replace the master link or the whole thing when changing out the front sprocket. Thank you

bryan_h

· #5 · 9 mo ago

Sprocket Center - DL 650 Sprockets & Kits

Sprocket Center is pretty cool. You pick sprocket sizes and they'll send a kit with correct length chain.

Highly recommend the RK GXW chains. I have it on my SV650 along with the RSX sprocket, it's good stuff.

Wee van Cleef

· #6 · 9 mo ago

I'm removing the 16-tooth front sprocket from my 2013 DL650 after a few hundred miles. Going back to the stock 15T. Sure it was great hauling butt on the freeway, and if that's what you do it's a good mod. But 1st gear feels pretty tall now and I'd rather keep the stock overall characteristics. I didn't need to mess with the stock chain. Not as easy a job as one would think. I guess that's why I've procrastinated.

Wee van Cleef

· #7 · 9 mo ago (Edited)

I didn't see a master link on the stock chain. Am I blind?

Got off my rump and went out and swapped back to stock. Took a little over an hour this time. A bike jack helped. Found a little trick for anyone that cares. Or maybe I just didn't know about it.

-Remove the 5 rear sprocket nuts, then slide the rear sprocket leftward away from the mounting bolts and let the rear sprocket go forward all it can. This allows the chain to have plenty of slack so you can wriggle the front sprocket out. And you don't have to remove the rear wheel or chain.

Unless your chain is shot, here's all you need, JT Sprockets, quality piece...

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Reactions: 2

Rolex

· #8 · 9 mo ago

The original chain is built in one continuous loop, there is no joiner, it is fitted before the swingarm is mounted.

The new chain will most likely require a tool to rivet the new joiner in place, clip type joiners are not used on big chains and motors, they fail too easily.

Reactions: 1

D.T.

· #9 · 9 mo ago

GSXR 600 OEM kit may work. Rear sprocket may be different.

Should be able to loosen the rear axle and slide the wheel all the way forward.

Just get the JT sprocket above!

Wee van Cleef

· #10 · 9 mo ago

D.T. said:
Should be able to loosen the rear axle and slide the wheel all the way forward.

I thought so too. But couldn' get it to go far enough forward to have plenty of chain slack. I even tapped it forward with a hammer to no avail. Still could be me though. :hmm:

:hmm:

Spec

· #11 · 9 mo ago

Wee van Cleef said:
I thought so too. But couldn' get it to go far enough forward to have plenty of chain slack. I even tapped it forward with a hammer to no avail...

Have to pull the axle and push the tire up into the swingarm then pull the chain off the rear sprocket.

Did you use red loctite on the rear sprocket nuts? Those and the brake rotors are about the only areas I use the red.

Reactions: 2

Wee van Cleef

· #12 · 9 mo ago

Spec said:
Have to pull the axle and push the tire up into the swingarm then pull the chain off the rear sprocket.

Did you use red loctite on the rear sprocket nuts? Those and the brake rotors are about the only areas I use the red.

Ah I didn't remove the axle. Not sure that's easier than the way I did it. No loctite used. I don't like the stuff, but I'll go back and add some since it's easy.

Rolex

· #13 · 8 mo ago

Fit the chain onto the front sprocket first then fit the sprocket

or

Take it off the rear sprocket, fit it over the front sprocket, get it started on the rear sprocket then spin the rear wheel till the chain climbs on.

You should not need to remove the axel.

Reactions: 3

locoblanco

· #14 · 8 mo ago

There are several different ways to do the job, as well a various reasons for using different sprockets, however the OPs worry about cruising at 5500-6000 rpm is not a problem. The engine is built to run at higher speeds than cruiser style bikes.

Reactions: 2

Rolex

· #15 · 8 mo ago

They love to rev.

I got a fuel saving and a higher top speed when I changed from a 15t to a 14t

Reactions: 1

Wee van Cleef

· #16 · 8 mo ago

Rolex said:
They love to rev.

I got a fuel saving and a higher top speed when I changed from a 15t to a 14t

Did it work with the stock chain?

Rolex

· #17 · 8 mo ago

Wee van Cleef said:
Did it work with the stock chain?

Yes.

It was an experiment that I loved and stuck with.

I did the same on my V2 but had not owned it long enough before the change to get good fuel and speed numbers

Reactions: 1

obsean24

Discussion Starter · #18 · 8 mo ago

bryan_h said:
Sprocket Center - DL 650 Sprockets & Kits

Sprocket Center is pretty cool. You pick sprocket sizes and they'll send a kit with correct length chain.

Highly recommend the RK GXW chains. I have it on my SV650 along with the RSX sprocket, it's good stuff.

This is exactly what I was looking for. Awesome thank you!

BUZZ13

· #19 · 8 mo ago

obsean24 said:
1st post folks, I am seeking to upgrade my new to me 2016 V Strom 650 front sprocket from stock to 16 tooth front sprocket. I love the low end torque but when I commute to work about 20 miles doing +80 @ 5500-6000 RPM I feel this could not be a good thing as time goes by. I coming from a Vulcan 900 so I am new to the whole chain thing. My question, is there a kit for 16T front sprocket with rear sprocket & chain? Stock chain size shows 525x116 @ 15 teeth. If I purchase all 3 items separate, use same chain size? I have not found this kit setup just yet. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

G'day from the land down under. Been running a 16 tooth front sprocket for the last dozen years or so. I did that because of the vast distances between towns here. Hey, I have to go 30 km round trip on dirt to check my mailbox! It dropped the cruising revs about 700/800rpm. Still got plenty of punch though. Wheelspin anytime any gear on dirt. Wheelstand easy on tar. Just replace your chain when you fit the sprocket and away you go. Happy trails Buzz

Kramer

· #20 · 8 mo ago

obsean24 said:
I love the low end torque but when I commute to work about 20 miles doing +80 @ 5500-6000 RPM I feel this could not be a good thing as time goes by.

As others have stated, this engine is very much at home in this rpm range - it is designed to rev. You are actually in the torque sweet spot for this engine, up to around 7k rpm - and it’s not a problem revving way beyond

Reactions: 2

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