I can still do the same 135kmh geared down. No flat roads here in BC, the hwy to Vancouver from here has too much elevation change for the stock geared 250.
i do also ride lots of logging roads.

Going to try a cheap 300cc jug and stock gearing I think.

 

Well I had the bike for sale, but I'm now second guessing selling it. I like the way it handles on the dirt roads. Very maneuverable and fun, granted the seat is horrible, but I've sucked it up and rode 150km or so on the dirt so I'm fine with the highway I think.
I'm going to do the sprockets and keep the bike.
1 - I love the nimble handling and feel from what I've thrown at it, the bike has handled everything and never surprised me.
2 - all the owners seem to be in love with this bikes reliabilty and upfradeable options.
Here in the kootenays I do have major mountain ranges to pass to get back to my hometown but there is always a more twisty road to get around the mountain!!!!
thanks for the help/advice fellas, I appreciate it. And if anyone finds themselves in the east kootenays looking for a riding buddy for a day or some friendly local advice, don't hesitate to drop me a line!

 

klx678: I'm now running 14/50, but was at 13/42 and loved that set-up. Ultimately, I changed it for the same reasons you stated, wear. I thought 14/50 would be the same, and although similar, I liked 13/42 better.

 

I can understand why. The 50/14 is a 3.57:1 ratio where the 42/13 is a 3.23:1 ratio. Big difference. If you want the same as the 42/13 you should do either a 45/14 or 48/15 to get the same ratio. It's all about the final drive ratio.

 

KLX678, you're correct. I was trying to get a bit more "pop", and not kink the chain so much on the front sprocket. After I swapped to 13t, comments were made I'd increase wear. My goal was to be able to throttle-pop over terrain. It certainly helped.

 

Doing the 13T with the 42T rear is not a lot of wear, just more than the larger sprockets. If swapping one sprocket, it's the ticket. Getting a bit more pick up with stock sprockets, the drop from 14 to 13 makes sense.

But if replacing both and a chain the bigger sprockets are the trick. Just something to keep in mind when it comes time to replace chain and sprockets. You think about what riding may be likely and gear to do so. I'd likely run the 15T sprocket as equal to the stock 42/14 or slightly higher, leaving the drop to 14 as a good off road and the additional drop to 13 for expected severe off road. Another rider might gear a bit higher for more road use. Lots of games to play with sprockets. Like the easier speed able to be pulled with a 39/15 for the road rider whose main off road-ish forays would be riding dirt/gravel back roads without too much difficulty. That would allow 70 mph lazy cruising for the most part. Lots of games.