Hey everyone, I'm pretty new to this forum, but have been getting lots of great info from everyone. So I figured I would do a little write-up on a sprocket install I did.

I live in AZ, in an area with a lot of extremely rocky, steep trails. Everyone around here has 4x4 quads, but after riding a couple, I didn't much care for the tractor feel they have. I looked at Raptor 700s, but with 4" of ground clearance, it would never survive these trails. I picked up a basically new totally stock 08 700xx off craigslist for $3,800, and have loved everything about it.

The only thing I didn't like was the gearing, it was way too tall for most of the trails I ride. I installed a 12t front sprocket, and that helped a lot. But then I got 24" Kenda Bear Claws, and lost some of the low end again.

I looked into a larger rear sprocket, but only found aluminum 40T sprockets that were a bit expensive. I saw a company that does custom sprockets for our 700s, but those are almost $100.

I knew there had to be something out there that is cross-compatible, so I got measurement from my current sprocket and started searching. What I found was a 40T JT Sprocket that was $20 on Amazon, free shipping. The part # is JTR1490.40 They also have 37T, 42T, 43T, 44T, 45T



Looks almost the same, only difference is the inner support on the JT sprocket that prevents it from just slipping on over the left axle. You could probably cut off the support ring on the JT sprocket, and never have a problem. That would make it a much easier install.





So I pulled apart the rear end as per the service manual. No big deal since I had all the tools.



Next I installed it on the left axle, everything lined up just fine



I put everything back together and got the chain on. I had to take off the front sprocket, put the chain on the rear, and then re-install the front sprocket with the chain on it.







I've put over 100 miles on it with the 12/40T gearing and have had zero issues. You loose a lot of speed with this of course, since it's now a 3.33:1 gearing vs the 2.64:1 stock gearing. At 45mph it's over 5k RPMs, so it's only worth doing if you want a 700 that really crawls. If I ever want more speed I'll put on a 13T or 14T front sprocket, or just switch back to the 37T rear.

I don't imagine many of you are going to do this, but I thought I'd throw it out there as an option for anyone interested.

thats good to know about those sprokets! while you had your axle out i hope you greased the slpine good because if you dont do that a couple times a year they will get seized in there and i hard to get out especiallly the rotor side it seems to get hotter on that side

Nice find and write up.

Yep, made sure to do that !

How much larger do you think you could go..44T, or 45T maybe, before an interference issue with chain or other?

With the 40T, there isn't much clearance between the chain and the skid plate. You could maybe go 42T.

Hey Desert Wolf, thanks for your post. I was up for a chain/sprocket change recently so I tried the 40t JT. I ride a lot of fast, tight woods with steep hills and with 24" bear claws and 12/37 gearing I always found the XX hunting for a little more low end that wasn't there. The 40t JT cured all that. Even added some 25x12.5-11 bear claws with no problems. A lot of people on here have dogged on the few posts about the 25'' claws but with 12/40 gearing it pulls them like a champ and, I can assure them, the sporty feel and performance are alive and well. Compared to the old 12/37 gearing I was running before, the new 1st is like a "mini" super low for powering through slow, super rough stuff (no more slipping the clutch), 2nd is around where the old 1st was and so on and so forth. That being said, most people will never try this setup but to each his own. Personally, I think too many people either don't know enough about gearing or simply overlook it altogether. Love this gearing!!!

I have a set of Bear Claws that size as well. Mine rub the heal guard's when turning on high speed sweepers. Have you noticed any rubbing? As far as the sprockets, yea I will never ride these tires back in WV w/out at least going to a 12t front.

M_Quick, are you running stock heel guards? If so the 25's will rub on corners and jumps. I'm running PRM nerfs. Don't have a bit of clearance problems with these. Amazing where the XX will go with the grippy 25" claws/matched gearing and you don't have to push it as hard like you do with smaller tires either. Did you notice any front end push with the big claws? I did. May go to a 9/16" sway bar and some better front tires

woodsbike81,

Yes factory heal guards. And no push in the front, I have the 11/16's bar and was running rxr II's up front llast time I rode with the big Claw's!