16 tooth sprocket review on a 2015 KLR 650 

7 years later and I found your video useful, thank you from a 2023 owner thinking about switching to the 16 tooth

I have a 2015 KLR which has a pronounced high frequency buzz in the handlebars and tank just below 55 that I find tiring. I replaced the 42 tooth rear with a 41 which raised the buzz to 54 MPH, I would like to raise it to about 56 or 57. I travel a lot of 55 MPH roads, and that would let me know I'm too fast without looking at the speedo. I found a 16 tooth front sprocket online, but didn't know if it would fit with enough clearance. You answered that question for me, thank you. I will now order that part and I think that will give me the results I'm looking for. By downsizing the rear and upsizing the front one tooth each, I won't have to do anything about the chain length. There is enough travel in the rear suspension adjustment. Thanks for the post, this has been very helpful.

Nothing like finding misspellings after you upload.... 😬

I appreciate the on bike demo of the new sprocket's performance. I just ordered one and will be installing it this week. I'm looking forward to the lower RPM's at higher speeds. Currently I'm at about 90/10 road to trail ratio, so I think this will be beneficial. Thanks, and keep up the good work.

Nice video and thanks for making it. I'm installing the 16 tooth sprocket today and have good expectations for on pavement riding

Dude, you kinda sound like Mike Rowe. The guy from “dirty jobs”. Lol Thanks for the video! KLR is my next bike! I’ll be making the change before I ride the bike off the lot. Thanks!

I'm running a 16 tooth on my 2008 705cc KLR. With the extra 55cc's it takes off the line better than a completely stock 650 KLRAfter installing the 705cc kit and carburetor mods. I did not notice very much difference in power till I removed the Air box door. The 705 needs much more air What a monster. I could not believe the power the 705 kit adds.

Like your ‘don’t hit me’ yellow helmet. Excellent video as usual.

Thanks for the review. Good info.

Always enjoy spending a little time with you, my friend! It's still not a '67 Triumph...:(

The 16T mod is also fantastic on the Versys 650.... takes the snatch out of it (wheelies) and calms her down 500 RPM's at highway speed like your setup.

Perfect. Was considering this change as well on my 2018, and always good to have more information. Peace :-))

Ugh if only I wasn't so lazy I would buy one too. I know I would get to the trails, switch to the offroad sprocket, ride, then just want to go home and not change back ha ha. Great video though Scratch! Looking forward to the next!

Yes intrested to see how it works on the trail.

Thank you sir. I try not to repeat things others have already done. At least not the same way

Great video! You seem like a really cool, mellow guy. Keep the great videos coming!

Just won another subscriber just on the "KLR Community" comment!!! ;)

I do most of my riding on the highway and dirt 2 track. I found that the bike was a little over geared and bogged going up some pretty mild hills and had to downshift. I went up one tooth on the rear and the problem was totally cured. I live my KLR.

Thanks for sharing . Will follow suit.

I have the 16 tooth sprocket in my 2015 klr 650 and the only problem I found was that my chain had rubbed on the front guard for the first couple of miles before it had a nice "Groove" and to those who are concerned you can still do wheelies. also I sit in 60 miles of stop and go traffic every day and have found no problems with the gearing. it does appear that I have lost maybe 8 mph off my top speed but I haven't tried wrapping out 4th gear on it.

Nice review. Thank you.

i just got a 2010 KLR

The gains are negligible especially sacrificing lugging it or stalling it at low speeds especially off road. I'd rather just keep a few quarts of oil on hand and revving it out if I need to I want a 16t now, and you handled that accidental merge all wrong. There were no angry hand gestures, and you didn't punch their mirror off. That's verbatim from the handbook

Hey I missed this yesterday. Regretfully we are full of activities this weekend but that would have been great

Hey Scratch.Glad you like it. Old Mason's KLR came with the 16 tooth and he likes it too. I spend too much time off pavement and i think it would lug too much for where i ride but having said that i do have one on the bench ready for a big trip :D Congrats on the 120 subs now!! wow awesome man! well done.

amen brother to the klr. let the good times roll.

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Nice! I just got one and was wondering what the difference is. I will end up doing the conversion.

Curious to find out if you stick with the 16 tooth after you've been using it for a couple months. Sounds like it is working well your your style of riding.

Ok. Long road trips 16. Around town n trails 15.

I pass you sometimes in the am, I'm on the yellow and black klr650

Hey, you sound like a radio guy in FWB!!

Looks like Monday for blackwater ride,check out Pensacola adventure dualsport if your on fb.Its posted there.

Good review, better than mine. I see those mirrors on a lot of KLR vids. What are they? Better than stock?

Some people say a person has to be a bit " Loopy" to drive a KLR,....... I say it's all personal preference!.👀😏😎👌👍👋✌️🇨🇦

Haha it is you! I just geared down to a 14 tooth. Do you have a range pass? Come ride with me and my buddy Tim. Aren't you Scratch?

that 16 tooth sprocket will hurt trying to ride in sand. you may want to try the Trans-American trail if not all at once maybe in sections. Begins in N. C. to Ca.

possibly riding blackwater Sunday or Monday, if you like some easy gravel/ dirt roads I can show you around Perdido wma and or truck trial 17

I bought a 14 tooth for riding tighter trails which I like. My question/comment is that the raised portion of the 14 T I was told by the sprocket vendor that it goes out away from the KLR engine. You say inward towards the engine. confused now.

PS - Just STACK the 2 together with longer bolts! Then It is easier to switch over! 😁😆

Good video...

Did you ever have any problems with your doohickey? Just wondering about mine.

KLR ROCKS!

I have the same year model KLR. Thank you for the video. I ride my bike on the road for the most part. I would like to know where you got your mirrors. I have the OEM round ones, and I don't care for them much : ( would like to get some like you have on your bike.

Good stuff as always! What are the KLR owners group and KLR wrenchers group?

I've had a BMW RnineT and a T100. I've always wanted a KLR, but they are just too darn tall for me. I'm 5'9", 28-29 " inseam, and I feel like I am gonna fall over at every stop. Looked at lowering, but don't know if that will even be low enough. Too bad for me, as I like everything else about it.

Nice.... thanks it's helpful....4sure

Changing 1 tooth on the front is like changing 3 on the rear but I feel more of a difference changing that front sprocket even 1 tooth I went down 4 on the back and it still felt like I did more by changing that 1 tooth on the front I don't no

Sup fellas thinkin gettin a 2006 650 klr any advices from yall klr 650 vets .. great vid btw !

Can i go 16 tooth for er6n, it vibrates over 4k rpm, i want to get better mileage at slow speed cruising without vibs when i have a pillion, and still keep up with z800s in my group on sundays. Thanks.

There's no such thing as a blind spot if you're a competent driver. That said I do make sure if I'm beside someone for anything more than a couple seconds that I can see them so that they can see me, there are too many incompetent drivers

though you were mia , more mods your pretty much done . do you have a klr dash for your electronics.

I have a 14t on my 01 Klr,5000rpm at indicated 70

If I did 4500rpm's on my Harley( 6th gear) , I would be doing over 100mph , Ok, on your difficult scale, how many beers ? This is only in fun, Glad your enjoying the KLR community, but remember you started on a Harley, LOL..........sorry , don't have any questions or concerns , so I'll just make some silly comments...... great looking bike Scratch. Ride safe

I have heard that a 16t actually lowers your gas mileage. Can you confirm that?

How do you know how fast you're really going? I thought the speedo is off if you change sprockets. Maybe not for KLR...

quicker or faster? than stock, in jungle, between jungles, or in other jungle. all just klr luv me too looking for 2nd bike. Adventure Motorcycle good site i follow. best riding to all.

Can you go 17 teeth on front if it would even fit and put a 32 tooth on the back you gotta be guaranteed 100 mph then

You need to explain what is the point of this, is this to change where you shift. BTW the clutch baket fractured in my 2016 and took out the Oil pump with it. It is been in the shop for 2 weeks and should get it out next week. Needless to say I am NOT happy camper.

Scratch, suggest a change in language.."47 mph 'indicated'"..I found the 16 also make my speedo more accurate :), And I go from 16 to 14 depending on where I'm going. 14 REALLY improves gnarly trail ability. Seer Oh, and your mirrors are dead stable (i.e very little vibration) compared to mine. :)

60mph @ 4000rpm is not bad....

So all in all would you recommend this upgrade or not?

What kind of side mirrors are those?

link us to your KLR Forum Posts on your Install... Just so I don't have to re-ask that same questions

did you change the rear sprocket?

Scratch, if I find myself having to ride in someone's blind spot

Dam iPhone! Put your finger over your horn button until your clear.

Great review man I just subscribed.. I have a klr650 2017 model so far loving this. Check out my channel if you have time I have a few videos of my bike there along with some videos. Keep up the great work

WTF? You can be in their blind spot all day long and it's still not your fault!!

you stress 1st part