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Even though we are early into 2024, I have spent a lot of time testing on the 2024 MX machines you see below. I have went back and forth on several bikes to see which gearing would be good for the average rider. I did the evaluations on tight clay based tracks to flowing sandier based type desert courses and even on some east coast deep loam. Since the word “gearing” is still in the subject line in a lot of my emails, I thought I would condense some of the best gearing specs I have come up with for the 2024 MX test machines so far. A couple of these gearing specs have evolved since 2023 so don’t expect some of these to be the same from last year. I DO NOT however just change the gearing for the sake of changing the gearing, like some other media testing outlets. However, if a certain bike does need an engine character change or maybe the transmission spacing needs help, we will try different gearing. These gearing specs are for stock engines or with aftermarket mufflers. If you have engine work done to your bike, chances are you could change gearing on a few of these machines. I also attached a couple links to some ECU maps (to a few bikes) that I preferred, to compliment the recommended gearing specs. As usual, if you have any questions I am here to help you. Email kris@keeferinctesting.com and I will be happy to assist you.
Yamaha:
YZ250F: Stock 13/50 Recommended: 13/49 Going to a 49 helps stretch 2nd gear on the 24′ YZ250F as the new engine configuration has lost some pulling power in second gear. Going down a tooth will allow you to pull 2nd gear longer which you will need.
Recommended ECU Setting: (Passive Aggressive) Available on site
YZ450F: Stock 13/49 Recommended: East coast/deep dirt conditions we have been running 13/50 gearing as it helps 2nd gear recovery and shifting into third gear sooner than the stock West coast hard pack 13/49. 13/50 can provide better third gear rolling speed through corners. 14/52 is also an option if you want a smoother roll on with a better shock acceleration feel/comfort as it doesn’t bind the chain as much as the stock gearing (when rear end is loaded).
Kawasaki:
KX250: Stock 13/50 Recommended: 13/51 Going to a 13/51 helps with third gear roll on power out of corners. The added tooth doesn’t negatively affect the second gear stretch as much as originally thought so sticking to this 13/51 gearing has been a mainstay at most tracks.
KX450: Stock 13/50 Recommended 13/50 ECU: We tried a 13/51 since the 24’ KX450 is so mellow off the bottom, but it didn’t help the low end pick up like we wanted and the 13/51 gearing made that long second gear pulling power much shorter. Stick with stock and get an aftermarket muffler and the the grommet out of the air box for better power feel.
Suzuki:
RM-Z250: Stock/Recommended 13/50 White coupler (Stock)
RM-Z450: Stock 13/50 Recommended 13/51 White coupler (Helps pulling power down low on deep tracks).
Honda:
CRF250R: Stock 13/50 Recommended: 13/51 (Helps rider get into third gear earlier and gives more pulling power without sacrificing too much second gear roll on). The stock 13/50 is decent for flower tracks since the transmission spacing is much better in 2022, but the 13/51 will allow you to just run third gear in corners similar to the YZ250F.)
CRF450R: Stock 13/49 Recommended: 13/49-50 I would rather go to a 14/52 on the CRF450R but the slave cylinder is too close with a 14T installed. Going up a tooth can help you with lugabiity because the Honda isn’t that great as the other 450s when riding a gear high.
KTM:
250 SX-F: Stock: 14/51 Recommended: 14/52 This will help third gear roll on response through corner exits in soft dirt conditions without sacrificing much 2nd gear pulling power. If riding hard pack dirt, leave gearing stock.
350 SX-F: Stock 14/52 Recommended 14/52
450 SX-F: Stock 14/51 Recommended 14/50 I have tried going to a 13/52 but it didn’t help my third gear roll response on as much as I would like so I settled on a 14/50 in order to be able to use send gear more/longer.
Husqvarna:
FC 250: Stock 14/51 Recommended 14/52 This will help third gear roll on response in soft dirt conditions without sacrificing much 2nd gear pulling power. If riding hard pack dirt, leave stock.
FC350: Stock 14/52 Recommended 14/52
FC450: Stock 13/51 Recommended 13/50 I have tried going to a 13/52 but it didn’t help my third gear roll on (response) through corner exits as much as I would like so I settled on a 13/50 in order to be able to use send gear more/longer.
Gas Gas:
This set up on both bikes will help settle the rear end out of corners and help with 2nd-3rd gear transition exiting corners.
MC 250: Stock 14/51 Recommended 14/52
MC 350: Stock 14/51 Recommended 14/52
MC 450: Stock 13/49 Recommended 14/52
