Final Drive 3.0

[Professor]

MAX BMW Motorcycles has an ad in the Owners News for a 3.0 final drive to replace the stock one (2.82). They say it boosts acceleration, strengthens the low-end power and increases the range in each gear.

Anyone have any experience with one of these? Any reports on performance, dependability, longevity?

[lostboy]

This is the stock ratio for an R900RT. Since they are genuine parts they ought to last as long as the original gears and bearing surface. If you can live with shorter gearing on the highway and feel that the original gearing is too tall, you'll probably be happy.

[ghostrider1964]

My thought would be that it would be great for off road. Even with the Enduro transmission, the gearing is a bit tall for slow running. If I lived in the mountains where I felt I needed the gearing all the time, might be good, down side will probably cost you 3 to 5 MPG on the highway....:type

[TR250Tom]

Max BMW has some cool RPM calculators for this mod. This one is for the R1200R, but there are other model-specific ones.

http://www.maxbmwmotorsport.com/r1200-r/

With the stock 2.75 rear end in the R12R, 5mph in 1st gear would be 761 RPM, which is probably well below idle RPM. Going all the way to a 3.0 ratio gets me to 830. Better, but not that much improvement for $2000, lower resale value, and a voided warranty.

I think the answer to my low-mph gravel road problems would be a shorter 1st gear only for me. YMMV.

[Texpaul]

I have ridden a 1200GS with the 3.0 rear end and it makes a big difference despite the fact that it only raises the RPM about 250 at any given speed. It is especially noticeable from a stop. In general; it seemd to make the bike much more drivable at low and medium speed. I didn't have a chance to take it to hiway speeds.
Note that the Max BMW mod is not for steet use as it does not include the speedo/ABS ring. If you want that you have to buy the complete rear end, not just the gearset.

[TR250Tom]

Here's some more info about the mod...

R1200 Performance Data and RPM Calculators Now Online


This winter we spent some time working on ways to enhance the performance of the BMW R1200 bikes, with some encouraging results. For instance, the simplest way to improve the acceleration curve is to change the ratio of the stock final drive gearing. For R1200 owners, there are multiple options. Click on each links below to see details, pricing and to play with RPM calculators:

R1200 GS
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.91
Available Performance Final Drive Ratio: 3.0

R1200 RT
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.62
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.82, 2.91
3.0 Ratio drive not recommended for R1200RT

R1200 R
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.75
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.82, 2.91, 3.0

R1200 S
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.62
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.82, 2.91
3.0 Ratio drive not recommended for R1200S

HP2 Sport
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.75
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.82, 2.91, 3.0

HP2 Enduro
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.82
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.91, 3.0

HP2 Megamoto
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.82
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.91, 3.0


See more performance data at maxbmwmotorsport.com

[108625]

Gee,

I'm reminded how much easier (and less expensive) it is to do this with a chain and sprockets.

[BMWRich58]

Here's some more info about the mod...

R1200 Performance Data and RPM Calculators Now Online


This winter we spent some time working on ways to enhance the performance of the BMW R1200 bikes, with some encouraging results. For instance, the simplest way to improve the acceleration curve is to change the ratio of the stock final drive gearing. For R1200 owners, there are multiple options. Click on each links below to see details, pricing and to play with RPM calculators:

R1200 GS
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.91
Available Performance Final Drive Ratio: 3.0

R1200 RT
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.62
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.82, 2.91
3.0 Ratio drive not recommended for R1200RT

R1200 R
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.75
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.82, 2.91, 3.0

R1200 S
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.62
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.82, 2.91
3.0 Ratio drive not recommended for R1200S

HP2 Sport
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.75
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.82, 2.91, 3.0

HP2 Enduro
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.82
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.91, 3.0

HP2 Megamoto
Stock Final Drive Ratio: 2.82
Available Performance Final Drive Ratios: 2.91, 3.0


See more performance data at maxbmwmotorsport.com


'06 and '07 GS Adventure models have 2.82 rear ends. '07 also has a different size speed sensor hole than the earlier '05 thru '06 models.
'08 an on started with the 2.91 and offered the Enduro transmission option,and I believe a different cam.