Thanks to your trailblazing with these sprocket changes I now own a 2021 V Star 250 that I enjoy riding. I had the sprockets changed with a 112T chain and the shift points and top end speed are vastly improved. Your video is greatly appreciated.
I would be curious how much the sproket changes throw off your speedo, increasing the perception of going faster with fewer RPMs. I really like the classic styling of the Virago/VStars.
Now you have done re jetting and needle work to carb, along with air intake and muffler upgrade, how has the bike been power wise? Down it handle the taller gears better?
The work hasnt incresed power significantly but imo makes better use of the power and torque the bike has mate! It does absoluyely handle the taller gearing better and is therefore a more pleasant bike to ride particularly at higher speed!
That bike didn't really vibrate mate, for twin it was very smooth. Fuel economy never measured its a 250 motorcycle it sniffs fumes was always my thoughts.
Hey mate, I accidentally stumbled upon this tutorial and while doing research on gearing and it’s by far the best one! I just purchased my first bike ever ‘22 vstar 250 and looking change sprockets as I literally have to shift through all the gears by 30mph which is annoying. I already ordered 17f/43r (currently being shpped to me) and wanted to ask you if you think it should be good enough of a change or you would still recommend doing 17/40 instead in any case, I mean is there a big difference? Cheers!
The biggest bang for buck is thr 17t front so it will be better, ive had 38t, 40t and 45t and they are all good but found the 40t the best. There will only be a couple of percent difference between 40t and 43t so enjoy!
@@sileD5366 Aren't you in 5th gear? Most likely you are. These bikes don't have a lot of power, therfore you need to squeeze the gears a bit more. Don't be afraid to rev it, it's not like they a pistons the size of a 131ci Harley crate motor.
@@brianfarinha1720 Oh dear, i've ridden this thing like i stole it. I am no novice, i'm fast approaching the 0.25 M km mark in my nearly 15 years of riding with a licence. I recently found out the rootcause of this... On one hand, i'm fat, and not aerodinamic, and do not tuck in for more speed. But that's just me. Now the bike, that's a german variant of the XV250, called the 3LW, as opposed to whatever is for sale in the civilized and reasonable world. And this version is factory limited to 12 kW, for tax reasons. The limitation, however, in pure german style, was not done to the exhaust or intake, but it was done with a completely different camshaft. Yep, you read right. Camshaft. It shall be removed and melted into a piece of s*1t, as a winter project. I will build a forge especially for that. Most likely it won't work, but it's worth trying :) The melting of the camshaft that is. After the change, i pray to the God of Speed that i will reach that elusive 130kmph mark on the clock. (the 80MPH i guess). Cheers to all!
Do you know the firing order of the Virago 250? Is it front cylinder, 300 degrees rotation, rear cylinder, 420 degrees rotation, etc or the other way around?
Hey dude can I send u a picture of my chain position and let me know if I change the front to 17 and change the back to 40 would I need a longer chain. Also could you do a video on how to tune up the xv250
@ iRidetas How much acceleration did you sacrifice by doing this sprocket mod ? I currently have 16/41 and I would not like to lose any more acceleration, especially when I need to overtake someone.
@@craigrodgers3691 Sorry for long reply mate. Well considering it's 250cc you gonna feel the extra weight. But if you ride with passenger often, I would not go over 16/41
Hey mate, love the budget bobber build series. I'm picking up my first bike in the coming weeks, a 2009 v-star 250. I am considering the sprocket change, although I live in a pretty hilly place. Do you rekon it is too tall for hill climbing? Cheers
Milage is the last on my list of concerns, I could care if it uses more fuel, you would assume as it is racing less at the same speed mileage would be better but again I never kept track of it
as you say, 16t front 45t back as the stock swapped 17t front and 40t seem to have some significant difference in performance, (acceleration I think) is it there? what's the benefit for you if you think there's one since you mentioned it's wasn't your concern on fuel. I'm just too curious!
Good video as usual mate Sounds if it's more of a cruiser do you think it may find a bit harder if it's used around town Has it increased top speed or is it outside the power band
bryn pitt thanks, no harder at all easier as your not in 3rd or 4th by 40km. Gears are longer so much better and usable. Slight top end increase but shifts power lower in the rev range so much more pleasant! Its a 250 so its never going to be difficult to ride in town etc. This just makes it better and can hunt with bigger bikes
iRidetas I watched all of your videos and i gotta tell you, what you do is really really helpful man thank you. Happy new year, and I’m looking forward to more awesome stuff from you! 😄
Hey my friend been following you for a while. I recently did this change, and wow, what a difference! However, I'm having trouble getting the bike above 70mph any advice?
Cant really visualise 70mph but its prob shy of what its capable oc on flat ground. I could get about 130kph out of it. This mod is dependent on your weight and topography.
I'm 110 kg and mostly use the bike around the city. Would the sprocket change useful for me? Doesn't it lose some torque in the lower gears? Or I should just change the front to 17? Thanks, your videos are awesome!
@@iRidetas Thank you! And just one more question: Can you actually get rid of the upper dummy exhaust and use only the other one? Or two separate one will give some more power?
Increasing the front by just one tooth is roughly equivalent to reducing the rear by three teeth. I wouldn't re- gear very much beyond that, personally. Unless I spent my days riding on flat highways. You loose what little acceleration the little 250 has... makes for very slow overtaking. (and increased danger) and more clutch plate wear. But each to their own.
Not telling me anything I don't know regarding front and rear gearing mate. This bike responds very well to taller gearing and can handle 17/38 from experience. I find on this bike for my wife riding it in the hilly terrain we live in 17/40 is perfect. Each to there own!
Thanks to your trailblazing with these sprocket changes I now own a 2021 V Star 250 that I enjoy riding. I had the sprockets changed with a 112T chain and the shift points and top end speed are vastly improved. Your video is greatly appreciated.
Thanks mate, if does make a huge difference
Best tool in the bag.... coffee!!! 😉
Great vid, learned more here than I did in 7 years of high school!! ✌️🤤
Lol cant mod a bike without tea or coffee (or beer!!!) Thanks im a little worried about the qualifications and calibre of your teachers then!!! 🤣
Hey friend, followed your series and finally did the 17/40. 17 front last week and the 40 today. Wow, it's like a whole new bike!
Isn't it great, really transforms the 250! Glad you like!
@@dguz3702 is it upgrade bike top speed or is it make bike start powerful
Better cruising, better use of the torque curve, bike way more rideable
Not only is Gilby looking good he's also sounding great. Lovin this series of videos keep up the great work.
Thanks mate gilby has come a long way for sure 😁
Yeah, most used tool in my shed coffee ;)
Loved it
Lol yes you do!!! Late night bike and coffee sessions for you mate! 😁😁
very nice dude! gives me some more ideas! gilby is looking great too!
Thanks mate 😀
Nice bike, have a xv250 myself here in USA with about the same mods there a lot of fun. Got a set of west eagle stright pipes on mine. Loud for a 250.
Cool. The straight pipes sound awesome! Thats eventually on the list of my mods to do!
Really thinking about doing this p/g swap when I get my hands on a 250
Do it! It makes it feel like a completely different bike! You won't regret it!
Interesting method for breaking the chain haha! I guess it works.
Default method!
fixing build one of the 250 vstars bikes soon, loved the video of the back fender, lol fixing to cut mine soon on my channel lol
No worries mate glad you enjoyed and goodluck with your 250 project!
yah I subscribed to your channel a few days ago, I be uploading the full build soon of the bike, its pretty much a brand new bike only 2000 miles
Great job as usual mate!
Thanks! 😁
Great vid, loved the followup test ride and thoughts after the swap.
Thanks mate! 👍👍👍
I would be curious how much the sproket changes throw off your speedo, increasing the perception of going faster with fewer RPMs. I really like the classic styling of the Virago/VStars.
Speedo off the front wheel mate!
Now you have done re jetting and needle work to carb, along with air intake and muffler upgrade, how has the bike been power wise? Down it handle the taller gears better?
The work hasnt incresed power significantly but imo makes better use of the power and torque the bike has mate! It does absoluyely handle the taller gearing better and is therefore a more pleasant bike to ride particularly at higher speed!
Nice video. Would this bike handle a 17x46 ratio?
Stock is rear os 45t
At what speed do you feel the vibration come in, before and after the change? How much difference, if any, in fuel economy did you experience?
That bike didn't really vibrate mate, for twin it was very smooth. Fuel economy never measured its a 250 motorcycle it sniffs fumes was always my thoughts.
Hey mate, I accidentally stumbled upon this tutorial and while doing research on gearing and it’s by far the best one! I just purchased my first bike ever ‘22 vstar 250 and looking change sprockets as I literally have to shift through all the gears by 30mph which is annoying. I already ordered 17f/43r (currently being shpped to me) and wanted to ask you if you think it should be good enough of a change or you would still recommend doing 17/40 instead in any case, I mean is there a big difference? Cheers!
The biggest bang for buck is thr 17t front so it will be better, ive had 38t, 40t and 45t and they are all good but found the 40t the best. There will only be a couple of percent difference between 40t and 43t so enjoy!
How fast were you going in this video for most the ride
About 100kph
Does it go faster than that? I did the same 17 40 and it won't go over 105 whatsoever. No change in air/fuel settings
@@sileD5366 Aren't you in 5th gear? Most likely you are. These bikes don't have a lot of power, therfore you need to squeeze the gears a bit more. Don't be afraid to rev it, it's not like they a pistons the size of a 131ci Harley crate motor.
@@brianfarinha1720 Oh dear, i've ridden this thing like i stole it. I am no novice, i'm fast approaching the 0.25 M km mark in my nearly 15 years of riding with a licence. I recently found out the rootcause of this... On one hand, i'm fat, and not aerodinamic, and do not tuck in for more speed. But that's just me. Now the bike, that's a german variant of the XV250, called the 3LW, as opposed to whatever is for sale in the civilized and reasonable world. And this version is factory limited to 12 kW, for tax reasons. The limitation, however, in pure german style, was not done to the exhaust or intake, but it was done with a completely different camshaft. Yep, you read right. Camshaft. It shall be removed and melted into a piece of s*1t, as a winter project. I will build a forge especially for that. Most likely it won't work, but it's worth trying :) The melting of the camshaft that is. After the change, i pray to the God of Speed that i will reach that elusive 130kmph mark on the clock. (the 80MPH i guess).
Cheers to all!
@@sileD5366
Has the burning happened yet?
Do you know the firing order of the Virago 250?
Is it front cylinder, 300 degrees rotation, rear cylinder, 420 degrees rotation, etc or the other way around?
Mate, its been a while since I owned this bike sorry so some of the finer details I've forgotten
@@iRidetas np. What about other v-twins?
What instrumental music are you using while you're removing the sprockets? I need more of it!
UA-cam royalty free
Great job
Cheers
Hey dude can I send u a picture of my chain position and let me know if I change the front to 17 and change the back to 40 would I need a longer chain. Also could you do a video on how to tune up the xv250
Yup jump on the facebook.com/iRidetas and ill have a look at the chain of you like and ill have a look at the tuning video for sure mate! 👍👍
@
iRidetas
How much acceleration did you sacrifice by doing this sprocket mod ?
I currently have 16/41 and I would not like to lose any more acceleration, especially when I need to overtake someone.
Very little!
Marko im also thinking this setup 16-41 how much link is your chain now your weight how does it pull with a pillion
@@craigrodgers3691 Sorry for long reply mate. Well considering it's 250cc you gonna feel the extra weight. But if you ride with passenger often, I would not go over 16/41
Seems like a winner mate. Your roads and scenery in Tas look very much like UK roads, do you get much rain down there?
Yeah mate a lot of rain for sure but it keeps it green and beautiful. It is beautiful riding country!!
What is the best set 17/40 or 17/42?
17/40
@@iRidetas thanks for your reply 😊😊
Do you have link or where i can buy 17-40 sprocket on my virago 250
Links are always in tbe description or up to you to googld mate
@@iRidetas Sold out 😢😢
Hey mate, love the budget bobber build series. I'm picking up my first bike in the coming weeks, a 2009 v-star 250. I am considering the sprocket change, although I live in a pretty hilly place. Do you rekon it is too tall for hill climbing? Cheers
Tasmania is a hilly place! So i wouldnt worry too much but if in doubt just do the 17t front swap!
ua-cam.com/video/IxrBz8MsrIw/v-deo.html 17t front video! From the budget bobber build series
that gear ratio change will affect the mileage right? i would assume so because it be the first thing i would think and do it.
Milage is the last on my list of concerns, I could care if it uses more fuel, you would assume as it is racing less at the same speed mileage would be better but again I never kept track of it
as you say, 16t front 45t back as the stock swapped 17t front and 40t seem to have some significant difference in performance, (acceleration I think) is it there? what's the benefit for you if you think there's one since you mentioned it's wasn't your concern on fuel. I'm just too curious!
Its all in the video mate, it allows the bike to cruise a lot better, makes it feel like a real bike not a scooter
sorry dude. i'm deaf and only looked at the visuals. so i had to assume by asking.
Hello there I have a virago xv 125, can I use the same sprocket ratio ? thx
You will need to do your own research on xv125 as i have no experience with them
Good video as usual mate
Sounds if it's more of a cruiser do you think it may find a bit harder if it's used around town
Has it increased top speed or is it outside the power band
bryn pitt thanks, no harder at all easier as your not in 3rd or 4th by 40km. Gears are longer so much better and usable. Slight top end increase but shifts power lower in the rev range so much more pleasant! Its a 250 so its never going to be difficult to ride in town etc. This just makes it better and can hunt with bigger bikes
What 17t sprocket should i get for the front? Im not sure on what diameter the center should be.
One for an xv250! No seriously it will be listed for an xv250
Hello mate! Awesome video! Do you think this mod is also suitable if i usually ride with someone in the back seat?
Mate id start with the 17t front see how you go and then maybe a 42 on the back just to give you a bit more kick with a pillion!
iRidetas thank you bro, you rock!
ua-cam.com/video/IxrBz8MsrIw/v-deo.html
Try that vid too bud. Happy new year!
iRidetas I watched all of your videos and i gotta tell you, what you do is really really helpful man thank you. Happy new year, and I’m looking forward to more awesome stuff from you! 😄
Is this mode gonna throw the speedo meter off
No speedo drive on front wheel
Hey my friend been following you for a while. I recently did this change, and wow, what a difference! However, I'm having trouble getting the bike above 70mph any advice?
Cant really visualise 70mph but its prob shy of what its capable oc on flat ground. I could get about 130kph out of it. This mod is dependent on your weight and topography.
Where to buy those sprocket bro, any online sites that i could search from? Thanks mate
Ebay
@@iRidetas thanks man
Hi buddy, did it affected the torque when changing the sprockets? Cheers
A little but makes the bike MUCH more rideable by moving everything down in the rev range! And gives it an ability to cruise at 110!
@@iRidetas 110?!? Link to the parts?
I'm 110 kg and mostly use the bike around the city. Would the sprocket change useful for me? Doesn't it lose some torque in the lower gears? Or I should just change the front to 17? Thanks, your videos are awesome!
Man i would start with a 17t front first you will love that then see how you go from there! Enjoy. It changes these bikes a lot for the better!
@@iRidetas Thank you! And just one more question: Can you actually get rid of the upper dummy exhaust and use only the other one? Or two separate one will give some more power?
Two seperate ones such as the ones install. One exhaust wont work as it is a dummy pipe but behind it a smaller diameter pipe goes into a mixer.
ua-cam.com/video/SvLrxCgfThs/v-deo.html
Increasing the front by just one tooth is roughly equivalent to reducing the rear by three teeth. I wouldn't re- gear very much beyond that, personally. Unless I spent my days riding on flat highways. You loose what little acceleration the little 250 has... makes for very slow overtaking. (and increased danger) and more clutch plate wear. But each to their own.
Not telling me anything I don't know regarding front and rear gearing mate. This bike responds very well to taller gearing and can handle 17/38 from experience. I find on this bike for my wife riding it in the hilly terrain we live in 17/40 is perfect. Each to there own!
Ja mam u siebie 19-36.
It looks like the 40t suits it 250. It might struggle with my fat arse though....lol
Lol its a strong little engine!!! 😁 The change in gearing is awesome! Well worth the hassle
nice sissy bar, where can i buy it like you?
ua-cam.com/video/viWinApBYsE/v-deo.html
@@iRidetas thanks
Please describe the rusting process. I can not hear your language in the video.
??
How much tooth did you have before change? Did you have 42 tooth?
Stock is 45 mate! So i had16t front 45t back as the stock ratio and its swapped as in the video to 17t front and 40t back! Its a great swap!
Awesome tutorial ^^V
Thanks 😁
Should have done a 0 to 100
Sold the bike years ago mate sorry