ktm 300 gearing for the hills, what are u using?

[stevie boy]

took my new toy out and having a hard time pulling 3rd,just wondering what u guys are liking for sprockets. some reason I'm thinking i should be able to climb in 3rd and track around the flats in 4th, could use some advice before dumping a pile of cash on sprockets and not using most of them.

 

[chumbilly1]

What are you running? Last year they had us using 12-20-17-20 and it was ridiculously low. I went 13-20-19-20 better but too low still. I agree on using third and fourth. Do you have a sx head or similar? The xcw head may nor have the power to pull proper. Do you have a sx,xc , or xcw?

 

[stevie boy]

it is a xc, just ordered s3 heads hope that will give it some pop, just running gearing that was stock on machine. thinking of putting a 12 on the motor

 

[TillTheEnd]

Right now I only have 12" of run out with 12-17-17-20, way to low . I'm at sea level and have full HP so next is 12-17-20-17 which should end up about 16.5" of run out. Does anyone know if you can get 13 countershaft on with an extra link? And second why do we run oring chains, they rob power in the dirt. Anyone tried non oring?

 

[Motogeek33]

I don't have a 300, but I can tell you what I've learned about gearing... first, this site is really handy for comparing different gearing options without having to check run-out. Timbersled recommends a 13T countershaft for my bike, making my gearing 13-17-17-20. That works out to an overall drive ratio of 1.538. This was too low for me, so I looked at other options. I tried different things last year and found that 14-17-17-20 (with a half-link in the chain) was pretty close to what I wanted, but still a little low. That drive ratio was 1.429. This year I installed the new double-bearing update and had my chaincase apart, so I decided to flip the chaincase sprockets, going with 13-17-20-17 (ratio 1.112). This made a huge difference and the gearing was too high. Now I'm at 12-17-20-17 (1.204) and it's better, but still a little high. I'm ordering a 16T jackshaft sprocket and changing the chaincase back to stock, so I'm hoping that 14-16-17-20 (1.345) will be the ticket. If it works, I won't have to change the bike's countershaft for switching between snow and dirt.

As for the standard chain vs. o-ring -- I tried running a standard heavy-duty chain last year and it stretched at an alarming rate. I was adjusting the tensioner a ridiculous amount after each ride to the point where the chain was almost rubbing the track. With good o-ring chain, it hardly stretches at all.

 

[tillbuilt]

I have a full mod Randy 2014 300XC. I run a 15t countershaft and stock gearing in the 2014 SX Kit. I feel it's the perfect gearing.

I know Ryan did a 16t counter shaft gear on his 2014 300 and 2015 ST.

 

[mxracer299]

I'm running 13-18 17-17 with 7 tooth drivers on a 15 SX LT, its good in all but deep powder, a 16-17 in the chaincase would be a little better on those days.

 

[PalousePoo]

Sounds like you haven't ridden it very much yet, so keep in mind how much of a difference snow conditions make. Slightly wet snow takes a lot of power, for example. In my opinion, I would ride it more and compare it to all types of snow conditions before changing gear ratios. You'll prob find its a compromise.

 

[stevie boy]

just opened the cover, so i have 13---17--17--20. so on the shaft that is paired up with the 17 tooth sprockets, would it make a diff which 17 tooth sprocket i change out with a extra 20 i have lying around

 

[stevie boy]

meaning in my earlier post 17 on outside would be the obvious easiest side to change out, but would the gearing be different by having the 20 on the inside and a 17 on the outside?

 

[mtn-doo]

On the modded 330 I am running 13 / 16, 17 / 18 That is perfect with this build. It can hold 3rd on the pipe. I need to measure roll out and post it. That is a good reference.

 

[Motogeek33]

meaning in my earlier post 17 on outside would be the obvious easiest side to change out, but would the gearing be different by having the 20 on the inside and a 17 on the outside?

Compared to your current 13-17-17-20:

13-17-20-20 would be higher
13-20-17-20 would be lower

 

[M5-]

Don't forget the driver size change for 15 affects the gearing so remember to compare pre and post 2015 kits when talking about the actual gears.

M5

 

[mxracer299]

About the only way you could gear your bike down is by going 12-18-17-20 if it will clear, doing double 20s in the chaincase will gear it waaaaay up. I would just ride it the way it is, using 2nd gear for techy climbing is allright. Another thing to remember with a 2 stroke is that your throttle has 2 positions OFF and ON, you can't ride a stockish 300 like a four stroke, you have to keep it wound up on the pipe, learn to keep your momentum and track speed, if you're not banging your clutch and riding it super aggressive it's going to drop off the pipe and you'll lose your speed.

 

[stevie boy]

ok guys thanks for advice, going to have to experiment a little to see what i like. need insulation in my enclosed trailer so my 'wife' doesn't tell me i spend to much cash on motel rooms on the big horn lol

 

[Rush44]

need insulation in my enclosed trailer so my 'wife' doesn't tell me i spend to much cash on motel rooms on the big horn lol

Quit buying a 2nd room just for your bike and you'll probably save some cash lol

 

[TillTheEnd]

Don't forget the driver size change for 15 affects the gearing so remember to compare pre and post 2015 kits when talking about the actual gears.

M5

What is the driver change and stock gears on a 2015? I rode a 2015 kit on ktm 450 with 13 countershaft and stock gearing and it was pretty spot on.

 

[Summitseeker]

I tried running a 13 tooth countershaft sprocket and ended up destroying my chain as it was too tight. I tried a 14 tooth and. 15 tooth sprocket and could not get the chain tight enough with an extra link so now running a 12 tooth with the stock 2015 ST kit.

 

[Corban_White]

I am running a 12 tooth on my '15LT 2012 ktm300xc and the chain is starting to rub the track. I was thinking about putting a 13t on, how loose is your chain with the 12t?

 

[Motogeek33]

I am running a 12 tooth on my '15LT 2012 ktm300xc and the chain is starting to rub the track. I was thinking about putting a 13t on, how loose is your chain with the 12t?

I would think that if your chain is rubbing the track with the 12, the 13 would fit just fine. I'm running a 12 currently and it isn't yet rubbing, and a 13 easily fits, especially now that the chain has stretched a little.