Hey guys..
Just want some input on the 16T sprocket on the 1290 Super Duke. Does everyone think the bike is better with the sprocket change? I like wheelies and am sure it will be easier to get up but how much shorter does it make the pull between gears? I am thinking about changing mine out this weekend but the bike is so good already. Not sure if going down a tooth will help or hurt? I do notice now at highway speeds it chugs quite a bit in 6th. I got 750 miles on my bike and it keeps getting stronger and stronger as it gets broke in

Few people have mentioned that the 16t is a touch too short and change back to the 17t. Maybe try adding 2 teeth on the rear.

I like the 16t way more than 17t, IF I could find a 40t for the rear I would prefer it but there isn't one that I know of.
300km vs 280km / h top speed makes no difference to me, the bike is more aggressive this way and that's what I was looking for when I bought it.

My read is that it's an individual decision in that which one is better for you. It depends completely on what you are looking for, not on what someone else thinks.

When the smart guys were first talking about why they liked the 16T better I, as a newbie who thought he knew what he wanted from the bike, was totally dismissive. I think I said something stupid like, "Why in god's name would you want better acceleration?"

Now, after 3800 miles, I know that there's more to the story than that. Here's what I have found, which is basically what the smart guys said:
1. First gear is too high in that it's not uncommon to find yourself lugging it.
2. Fifth gear is too low for my normal being a good citizen cruising speed. It's at a RPM is a little too high for my taste. Changing to 6th puts me in a gear that's too high dropping the revs low enough that its vibration annoys me.
3. And the rule for the rest of the time is, the 16T will give you more of a thrill when you whack it.

Disclosure: My 16T is getting put on as we speak so all of the bs above might be changed one I get to test it.

For the newbies,

I think changing your gearing for wheeling alone can be counterproductive or not. If you think of it as just being better for wheeling and acceleration. And all you ever do is drag your bike down the strip popping or riding wheelies. That fine. But the're other reason to move your gearing around. One very good one for us street riders is to be in the right gear. And not having to shift Back-and-forth when your traveling through your favorite twisties. Do you ever feel like second gear is two low and thirds gear is to high on some twisties canyon roads? You can change this with gearing.

Racer change there gearing depending on several factors. If the track has a long straightaways where you need Enough gearing to make it to the braking markers. Some times you need lower gearing because of the performance drop do to higher altitudes. There many more reasons to change your gearing.

Some of the side affect for changing to lower gearing. Lower fuel mileage, not being in the right gear, top speed is reduced, first gear can become useless(too low).

I am in Florida. Here is one I found available in the US: http://www.afamdrive.com/index.php/supe ... 1800r.html

Has anyone tried on of these? It appears to be a very good price compared to the KTM OEM sprocket.

What does the "damped sprocket" mean? All of them look like solid steel.