Gearing change for touring

[lovecamping]

Hi! I'm new to the Katana, and this forum, but old otherwise I have just purchased a 2006 Katana 750 in new condition with under 2000 original miles. to make a long story short, it's been in a shipping crate for years. I want to use the bike for touring (camping) only but after a first ride (purchased it with the carbs stopped up from storage, never rode it till now) I felt like it has about 3 too many gears. Compounding the problem is the fact that the bike that I'm used to is a V twin cruiser. I have done a lot of searching and found that most people are concerned with acceleration when it comes to gear changes so its hard to tell what is a good ratio. Does any of the members of this forum have a good combination of front and rear sprockets for just touring around site seeing? I'm hoping that I don't have to try multiple sprockets and chains to get what I want. I have a feeling several people already know a good combo. Thanks for your help!

[Kreylyn]

Hi! I'm new to the Katana, and this forum, but old otherwise I have just purchased a 2006 Katana 750 in new condition with under 2000 original miles. to make a long story short, it's been in a shipping crate for years. I want to use the bike for touring (camping) only but after a first ride (purchased it with the carbs stopped up from storage, never rode it till now) I felt like it has about 3 too many gears. Compounding the problem is the fact that the bike that I'm used to is a V twin cruiser. I have done a lot of searching and found that most people are concerned with acceleration when it comes to gear changes so its hard to tell what is a good ratio. Does any of the members of this forum have a good combination of front and rear sprockets for just touring around site seeing? I'm hoping that I don't have to try multiple sprockets and chains to get what I want. I have a feeling several people already know a good combo. Thanks for your help!

15/41. You can cut the chain you have now down to fit that.

Krey

[lovecamping]

Thanks Krey! I'll give that a try. First gear on this bike reminds me of the old farm trucks with the "granny gear" as people used to call it. I have trailer hitches on most of my bikes, but I still think it is way too low geared even if
I put a hitch on it.

[Kreylyn]

Thanks Krey! I'll give that a try. First gear on this bike reminds me of the old farm trucks with the "granny gear" as people used to call it. I have trailer hitches on most of my bikes, but I still think it is way too low geared even if
I put a hitch on it.

One thing I've noticed is people tend to associate the RPMs with that of a car or other low rev vehicle.

Just FYI... these bikes a slow low rpm easy peasy cruise rpm is 5-8k rpms... and regularly for most times running the bike 8-10k rpm is actually recomended at least once a ride.

I put around at 6k... If I'm in the curves, I tend to keep it over 8k...

I mention this cause even on my bike geared for low high speed/more take off at 15/50 sprocket... my first gear tops out around 45mph+.

Krey

[zuma]

Hey Tim! How are you guys?

[Kreylyn]

Hey Tim! How are you guys?

We are doing great Dan, how's things out your way?

Krey

[DClark]

I'd say wait before you change your gearing. On my 1100, I went down to a smaller rear sprocket , kept it that way for a long time, then went back to stock.
Why?
These bikes are inherently buzzy and at least on mine, there was a resonance that was moved up into the speed where I cruise with a smaller rear sprocket.
That could happen to you.
Fwiw, I have a Morgan carb sticks, I keep it synced , gel grips, gel gloves. The best fix was my '11 concours 14.
Anyhow, get bike sync'd, take out for a spin. These bikes like cruising at high rpm like a dog likes to go for a walk.