Tenere 700: JT Sprockets JTR1591.15RB 15 tooth Front & JTR1876.44 44 tooth Rear Sprockets & DID 525VX3 Chain

 JT Sprockets JTR1591.15RB 15 tooth Front & JTR1876.44 44 tooth Rear Sprockets

(in search of unicorn gearing for my riding)

At 28,852 km the oem chain & sprockets are still in serviceable condition but getting close to retirement + want to tweak the gearing slightly shorter from the current 16/46 = 2.875 final drive ratio that is 6.67% taller than the oem 15/46 = 3.066 that I have been running since 6,900 km or 4,287 miles, which imho, better compliments the T7 CP2 powerband for average pavement/adventure/FSR non-technical use than the relatively short oem gearing that tends to encourage short shifting in everyday riding & elevates rpm higher than necessary during hwy speeds. 

Changing to 15/44 = 2.933, that is 4.56% taller than the oem 15/46 = 3.066 gearing (the equivalent of a 1 tooth change from the 16/46 currently used & 2 teeth from the oem 15/46) provides the following benefits: 

• 2.02% increase in torque across the powerband & engine braking for improved control in technical riding vs the current 16/46 = 2.875 gearing;
• 4.56% taller gearing vs oem 15/46 = 3.066 gearing;
• the smaller front & rear sprockets vs the 16/46 & oem 15/46 combo will position the rear wheel further rearward shifting weight bias to the rear & increase stability;
• the smaller diameter sprockets will increase clearances at the countershaft & rear sprocket + provide more clearance between the bottom of the chain & the bottom guide of the rear swingarm mounted chain guide vs the 16/46 or oem 15/46 sprockets.

JT Sprockets makes rubber cushioned 15 & 16 tooth counter shaft sprockets to match the oem, but don't make a 44 tooth rear sprocket in the T7 oem black anodizing. I won't be able to verify how it feels/performs until I make the change sometime next year (bike uninsured until spring), but based on the above noted use with the oem 15/46 gearing & 19K+ km or 11,800+ miles with the 16/46 gearing ridden in a variety of terrain & circumstance I'm hopeful that this may be the unicorn gearing for my type of riding by increasing torque output slightly vs 16/46 gearing without much detriment to high speed rpm, while still being 4.56% taller &better suited for everyday riding vs the oem 15/46.

DID 525VX3 Chain

I considered a 520 chain conversion from the oem 525, but had already bought a 130 link DID VX3 525 chain (oem = 122 links) on a 40% sale a year ago & sourcing a 520 44 tooth to be challenging, so decided that the benefits of the smaller chain & sprockets weren't worth it this time around.  Besides, similar type of benefits can be had by using a lighter 140/80 18 vs 150/70 18 rear tire....or I could go on a diet...lol