2013 ZX10R Sprocket change 16/41

[Mingda]

Mingda,looking to change my stock gearing from 17/39 to 16/41 as i find first gear too tall.

Has anyone performed the above with no traction control issues, my local dealer contacted Kawasaki who stated it will affect the traction control.

With the traction control having no preset maps and adaptive learning, i cant see why it would have any adverse affect on the system.In US

forums and reviewers have stated that 1st gear is set tall to comply with the EPA noise standards. So i hope someone can throw a little light on

this one .

[MYZXR]

I've changed to a 16 on the front but haven't changed the rear. I haven't had any issues with the t/c since changing. Seems to work the same as before and I use it a lot. To be honest I'd just change the front first as the difference is quite noticeable. Really brings it to life.

[MYZXR]

Also I might be wrong but I believe the t/c is controlled by the abs sensors on the front and rear wheels so gearing changes shouldn't really affect it.

[Wattie]

1st gear is tall for racing. You don't need a short 1st gear in a race. All gears are then closer together for better acceleration.

I can't see it affecting traction control. The wheel speeds are taken from the wheel sensors. Not the sprockets.

[Mingda]

Thanks for the reply's,i have ordered a 16t sprocket so i am going down the same path as you- MYZXR and looking forward to feeling the

difference.


Cheers!

[Jim N]

There is an issue with the ZX14r and traction control when the front sprocket is changed.
Apparently the traction control sensors have difficulty with the different rotation speed which manifests in throttle hesitation. The good news is it is reversible by simply going back to the old sprocket.

[MKY]

What is strange is it does not effect all bike? Some get the shutter and some don't

[Mingda]

Kawasaki say you cant as it will upset the TC mapping and this info was sourced through my local service,who contacted technical.

In the USA Motorcycle reviewers have the opinion that the tall gearing is to maintain EPA noise emissions.?

My understanding of the Kawasaki TC system is as follows.

It looks at the the following info:

Front and rear wheel sensors,load via gearshift select,engine rpm,throttle position,and rate of acceleration. As this system has no preset mapping i

believe it should have no affect.So by changing to the above ratio there would be a rpm increase through all gears and according to Kawasaki the system

is mainly looking at the rate of acceleration,so power slides are allowable as long as there is no major loss of acceleration which would indicate excessive

wheel spin, in which the system would intervene. So even if the TC sees higher rpm but there is no significant loss of acceleration there should be no issue

as the system has infinite mapping.

[MKY]

I know one person who has changed sprockets with no issues and another who had the shutter so it is not consistent across all bikes for some reason. I am going to try it soon with a far sprocket 45t or 46t see how it goes

[Mickwitchy]

I've got 16 on the front and I swap between 42 and 44 on the rear. This is on my race bike. I have no issues at all. T/C cuts in like a bloody champion for me. I've had no issues.

[Maccarocks]

I have to agree with McWitchy...

I have run 16t and 15t fronts on my 2011 ZX10R.. and a mix of 39, 40, 41 & 42 rears... all depending on the track .. I also run 200/55, 190/60 & 195/65 tyres.. so the tyre profile is way different to stock. I do work out the gear ratio with the tyre I am using to make sure I get the right drive with the right length wheelbase... and still after all this the TC work perfectly...!!

SO if you have a 2013 ZX10R your TC will work perfectly.. no problems at all... not like the BMW's they are much more tricky... you can not even change the tyre profile (on the earlier models - not the HP-4)

Great bike..

Macca