R1100RT gearing question

[stan]

Is there a practical (inexpensive) way to lower the overall gearing or at least first gear in a '96 R1100RT? I live in hilly country and a two up start, up hill, is a pain in the neck. Way too much clutch slipping for my taste. I thought about switching to a smaller rear wheel off a 1150, but that would be costly. Maybe just a one gear switch out of another model's gearbox. I did that in a Mack truck once and lowered the auxilary low gear ratio from 14:1 to 23:1

[jdiaz]

There isn't an inexpensive way to do it. Usually requires a final drive change from 2.91 to 3.0 from a GS.

[BMWRich58]

I thought about switching to a smaller rear wheel off a 1150,

Actually, by going to a smaller rear tire,you'll "lose bottom end" power and you'll really be riding the clutch to get going!!! You'd wanna go bigger!!!

Bigger taller is like a bigger or taller "gear",giving you more bottom end power,more torque, to get going. But then you'll lose topend speed.

Try a little more throttle at startup to help compensate for the extra load.
A little practise and you'll be pulling away curbside like no extra weight's ever been added.

It's common for riders to clutch more when ever extra loads like camping gear or passengers are added to the bike. Just takes a little getting used too that's all. Believe me the bike has the power,just learning how to manage it to do what you want takes a little practise!!! :thumb

[nrpetersen]

Nope - the smaller wheel would be better for starting. I doubt you would be able to fweel the difference though.

Remember you don't get to ever change one gear. There is always the one that meshes with it - unless you somehow can change the center distances.

NRP

[stan]

Been out of town to bike week, so just catching up. A larger REAR sproket on a chain driven machine will gear it down, but a larger rear tire on any cycle will gear it up. Trust me.

[Rich]

Been out of town to bike week, so just catching up. A larger REAR sproket on a chain driven machine will gear it down, but a larger rear tire on any cycle will gear it up. Trust me.


Yep, that's right.