The Zephyr Zone

Inline 4 motorcycle engines are designed and meant to run at high RPM. With very short strokes, that's the only way they generate power. They don't 'wake up' till they get over about 6,000 rpm.

About the most popular thread on the new Z900RS forum is about fitting a larger front sprocket to reduce revs. People buy a high revving I4 engine motorcycle, and then expect (and modify it) to try and emulate the relatively low revving engine characteristics of a twin cylinder engine. Go figure.

My main reason for looking to up the gearing is that the 550 is a rev happy bike and while in 6th I'm still looking for another gear. So I thought gearing up and lowering the revs might help.

Out of curiosity, is it possible to take a 6 speed ZR550 transmission and replace the 5 speed in the ZR750 engine?
Kenny

TREVOR9 wrote:My main reason for looking to up the gearing is that the 550 is a rev happy bike and while in 6th I'm still looking for another gear. So I thought gearing up and lowering the revs might help.

It would help, but once you get used to, you would still be looking for a 7th gear sometimes. I know, I went to a 17 tooth (from 15) on the Zeph 750, and still look for another gear sometimes.

I also own a Yamaha FZ-09 (MT-09) with 6 speeds, with even a DIGITAL GEAR INDICATOR, and still give it a stab sometimes looking for the 7th.

ZR468 wrote:Out of curiosity, is it possible to take a 6 speed ZR550 transmission and replace the 5 speed in the ZR750 engine?
Kenny

It was done a few years back on the old Zephyr Zone by GPZephyr.

So , it can be done. I'll keep that in mind. Right now, everything is working well, leave well enough alone.
Kenny

Sorry for the late reply.
I want to up the gearing to get more mph per rev, as I find the std gearing is a bit low. When travelling at medium speeds I feel as if the bike could do with another gear.