KTM 1290 SAR 16T vs 17T Sprocket | Highway Test

[@CurtisBrandt]

Although all of these KTMs have abundant torque, some of them sure seem to feel a lot better with a bit lower gearing! For road riding I’m very happy with how my 2019 SAS feels. But I have gone one tooth down on the countershaft on my 2023 890 ADV R and 2022 SDR and that is a positive for both of them, for sure. Thanks for sharing your trip to the bike shop, always a chance for happy surprises!

[@daoudik]

I recently did this swap with my 990 Adventure. This is an amazing juxtaposition of the change.

[@daveo9844]

The best thing about having a chain is being able to tweak the gearing to suit. I’ve gone 2 teeth up on the rear sprocket of my SDR.

[@otisified]

That would place you at 40 teeth, correct? Where does that top out on maximum speed now?

[@fraserduthie5853]

Just changed my gen3 SDR from stock 17/38 112 links to a 16/40 114 link setup. Not sure if you bike has the same type of swingarm setup but, if you do decide to change the rear sprocket, it may alter the rear ride height and in turn alter the bikes trail measurement. The higher the rear, the more responsive the bike is turning in due to trail changes.

[@Eric-Marsh]

I went the other way on my 2021 S, going from 42 on the back to 40. I figure that since it's wheeling in the first three gears there's no way to put more power to the ground. With the taller gearing the engine runs easier on the expressway.

[@kj385]

Where did you get A 40 rear sprocket? I can’t find anything smaller than the stock 42

[@pinnacledivingco]

Huh... 😶 I guess my mind thought about it differently... I would have thought going down on the front, without changing the rear, would have reduced your RPM's, not increased them. Final drive in most bikes is 1:1, so reducing the teeth on the input I would have thought would have meant an increase in speed at the same RPM. On my 2017 SAS, I am typically pulling between 4,000 and 4,100 in 6th at 110kmh. I have no idea, but I wonder what size front sprocket I have on mine. 🤔 I might have to take a look now to find out.

[@riding4fun40]

How about the 2nd gear lag issue? All cleared up? And at what RPM do you notice vibs, if any?

[@captain_midlife]

I never heard of that one. No vibration on mine too

[@riding4fun40]

Thanks for the reply, I believe you mentioned in the video that 2nd gear around a corner was a little boggy, maybe?@@captain_midlife

[@Friedolays]

You said you are going to swap it out for the 17tooth, you meant to say you are going to swap it out for the 16tooth.. because you already have a 17 on it... just figured id point it out.

[@henryvaneyk3769]

I am fitting a new chain now and have decided to go from a 42t to a 45t rear. I am just a bit worried about the tighter bend in the chain going from a 17t to a 16t on the front. I am also trying to lessen the amount of chain slap on my 2019 model 1290 SAR.

[@fic6500]

And how was slap on chain , any bether?

[@The_combat-nurse]

Let us know how it affected your fuel economy