I have a 2002 ninja ex500r and was wondering what sprockets i should put on the front and the rear to get more performance out of my bike.

 

hmm, no performance is gained. You will just make the standard performance of your ride meet your riding preference with a change of sprockets.

 

yeah changing the sprocket doesnt add or remove power,

it just moves the power to a different area in the powerband.

ive got a 14t front 42t rear. its awesome for around town... lifts the wheel on hard 1-2 shifts... but 7000RPM at 70mph on the freeway... not so great lol. 95% of my riding is in the city though, so no biggie.

IIRC a smaller front sprocket puts more strain on the chain? but its easier to change the front. also, IIRC again (lol) changing 1 tooth in the front is = to 2 in the rear.

so instead of going -2 on the front of mine, and keeping the stock rear, i could have gone up 4 in the back and kept the stock front and had the same results.

the ratios are different between 1g and 2g bikes. my 93 had a 16t front sprocket, but im pretty sure yours has a 17. not sure if the back changed?