Counter Sprocket size vs dirt?

[w74bronco]

I've got a 2015 Husky 500. I run a 13T counter sprocket for summer trail riding. What size sprocket are you guys running for snowbikes, in relation to your summer setup? Should I be headed to a 15T for taller gears since my 500 doesn't rev out like a 450?

Kit installed is a Mototrax 129, has yet to see the snow yet. Just getting a jump on ordering parts if need be

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

sprockets

I am running a ktm 500 with 13/17 sprockets, 13 on the bike and 17 on a TS kit.

the bottom line is to check the run out on your track, in other words, one revolution of the counter shaft sprocket should move your track somewhere between 13.5" and say 14.25 inches along the sliderail. I have run 13" which is too low and as high as 15" which is way to high.

For sure the 500 does not have the top end rev, but riding with a wooped ktm 450 and kaw 450 with cams, all with the same TS 2.5 track, I feel a little too low geared, but powder pulling performance of our 3 bikes is not that different. My run out if I recall is about 13.8".

so back to your answer, I think your kit is setup to run 13 counter sprocket. 15 will be way to high, I doubt the 14 would work either.

Last spring in slush, the Motor trax kit I rode was very similar to the TS kit along that day, both running 13 counter shaft stock kit gearing.

 

[cbc76am]

I ran a 13 and I was stuck between 4th and 5th without a sweet spot on a 525 with a TS SX 120. Immediately moving to a 14 to get running in 3rd and gears that are closer together.

 

[Pedec]

Wish it was just a easy changing sprocket on bike. The only sprocket that will work on mine with good chain tension is a 12 that gives me a 35 mph top speed. Any other sprocket size (13-14-15) make the chain tension to long or short and there needs to be some slack on chain on sx kits with moving skid. So now I had to change gearing in chaincase and being a older keyed sprocket it $110.00 Canadian a sprocket. Really sucks and worse thing I found in timbersled sx kit so far. But older Sx kit does handle really good.

 

[mikew5945]

I've got a 2015 Husky 500. I run a 13T counter sprocket for summer trail riding. What size sprocket are you guys running for snowbikes, in relation to your summer setup? Should I be headed to a 15T for taller gears since my 500 doesn't rev out like a 450?

Kit installed is a Mototrax 129, has yet to see the snow yet. Just getting a jump on ordering parts if need be

Can't say for Mototrax but the CMX runs the 13T on the husky and KTM.

 

[cbc76am]

I just came in from the garage all pissed off about the same thing. 13T is the only one that the length that works with the factory rear sprocket. 14T fail, 15T fail. So i'm struck in 4th and 5th gear. No room to change in the jack to drive either... 17 to 17 looks to be all that works there. I guess I'll have to look into dropping a tooth on the rear and pray that the combo will work with the length and motor.

 

[highflyernick]

Your runout is going to depend on the bike. I found the sweet spot on my KX500 to be 16.75" of track roll out! Bike absolutely rips. On a SX120. I would check what you have now for runout and go from there. Once you change your gearing, check again, gives a good baseline for when you are changing countershaft, chaincase gears etc.

 

[cbc76am]

Pedec, help me with what you did on the SX - I have the 2015 SX120... did you replace both chain case sprockets? Where did you source them? Thanks!

 

[Pedec]

I am running a 13 timbersled sx on a 2012 ktm 250sx that has a very close ratio 5 speed transmission. My sx has 16-17-17 gear with a 2.52 drivers for the track I think so everything is geared low and explains my 35mph top end. I did try a 14-16-17-17 combination with 1/2 link in the chain and was a really good improvement getting 45mph top speed and 1 st gear was still good and motor still feels strong. Half link looked and felt loose after 1 hour ride so I changed back to 12-16-17-17 with out half link to not wreck stuff. Going to try 12-16-20-17 combination to get back close to the 14-16-17-17 combination. Ordered keyed sprocket from dealer in Swift Current Sask sound like it should be in my hands in 7 days. Also ordered chain slider for timbersled frame since using 12 tooth sprocket chain is rubbing a little. The chain tension setup is a very poor design on timbersled and surprised new one are still build the same. A person should be able to run any sprocket he want on the bike (12-13-14-15) and would make gearing a lot easier like on a real dirt bike and cheaper. Hoping chaincase 20-17 combination fits in chaincase and can use same chain.

 

[cbc76am]

I did a quick crunch on it and that should be a fraction taller (.20) than the 14-16-17-17 so I think you'll be pretty happy with it.

 

[Pedec]

Ya that what I had figured CBC also and 45-50mph is fast enough on a snowbike and only will get 45-50mph on hardback which can be a little dicy anyways. It does give better gap between gears and less shifting and I was surprised how well my 250sx pull the old sx kit. It seems to pull my sx better than a buddy 350sx with a ufo kit I ride with and sx handles more like a dirt bike.

 

[chumbilly1]

Ya that what I had figured CBC also and 45-50mph is fast enough on a snowbike and only will get 45-50mph on hardback which can be a little dicy anyways. It does give better gap between gears and less shifting and I was surprised how well my 250sx pull the old sx kit. It seems to pull my sx better than a buddy 350sx with a ufo kit I ride with and sx handles more like a dirt bike.

Have you tried swapping a 17 from case to jackshaft and running 17/16 in case? Also on the 2 strokes I ditch the heavy o ring chain for high quality mx race chain. Rolls a lot easier. 14/17 may work for chain length. The TS chain adjustment is crap. The yeti system is a work of art, and I like the cmx design as well. Also there is an aftermarket chain slider that takes up slack and can be beneficial in chain length issues for the TS but I forget the brand. The old sx kits 13/14 do handle awesome. We just mounted one up and I am impressed with the performance. Would be great for snow-x type racing.

 

[Pedec]

I did order chain slider and hope it helps if nothing else keeps chain off frame. Tried 13-14-15 sprockets and nothing works on my ktm 2 stroke timbersled 13-15 sx skid other than 12 tooth sprocket even after chain has stretched. Ya old sx kits best handling hands down for ditch banging maybe not for deep powder but where I live we never get that deep of snow.