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520 Conversion 15/50?

16K views 23 replies 15 participants last post by  Kroenen 
#1 ·
In this Ebay ad it claims the 15/50 is the best ratio for the R6 without sacraficing top end and also stating it makes your speedo even more accurate (at least that's how I read it).
My question is...has anybody ever heard of this? Is it true it makes it better and the top end isn't sacraficed?
I never bothered with a conversion because I didn't want my speedo to be way off.
Thanks,
Billy

Here is the link and a quote from their ad.........

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4505802701&category=35600

*optimum accleration is the ratio the manufacturers SHOULD have produced the street bike with. At this point your bike can accelerate quicker from any speed while not sacrificing the top end speed. This is presuming you have no internal motor modifications or wind resistance barriers or streamlining.. This is the best ratio for 99.5% of all the R6s on the road.

You have certainly heard about the 520 conversion kit for the middleweight champ- the R6. You've probably also heard that the R6 is getting beat in the 0-60 and 0-100 tests by the GSXR, ZX6R and CBR600RR. Why? It's got more horsepower and the R6 is slightly lighter so it should be able to spank the other bikes, right? WRONG! Yamaha intentionally geared the bike incorrectly so that noob and inexperienced riders wouldn't pop themselves in the chin with their tank in first gear. SO WE HAVE THE CURE!

Lighter and stronger aluminum sprockets put the emphasis on ACCELERATION while maintaining the OEM suggested replacement intervals. Furthermore the Yamaha Gauge cluster is about 8-10% high from the factory settings. One more benefit of the kit we sell is that it actually makes the speedometer only 2% high as opposed to 8-10% too high.
 
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#4 · (Edited)
I think the bike was geared at 16/48 for a number of reasons, including emissions and street riding. By going to a 15/50 gearing, cruising in 6th gear on the freeway the bike is going to be riding at higher RPMs, burning more gas, more vibrations, and just plain louder. It's just to make it more civil.

For what it's worth, with the stock gearing, the bike felt slower than my F4i race bike where I had done a -1/+2 520 conversion. I switched over to a 15/50 with a 520 chain on my 03 r6 race bike and it feels much nicer now. Best bang for the buck mod if you want greater acceleration. I haven't had time to get to a track where I can wring out 6th gear, but I'd say 15/50 or 15/49 are great combos for the R6. If it matters, as far as go fast mods I have: +4 ignition advancer, akropovic exhaust, velocity stacks, removed AIS system, venting crankcase vent to atmosphere, pc3, race gas, bmc air filter, and a custom map.

InsaniT
 
#5 ·
InsaniT said:
I think the bike was geared at 16/48 for a number of reasons, including emissions and street riding. By going to a 15/50 gearing, cruising in 6th gear on the freeway the bike is going to be riding at higher RPMs, burning more gas, more vibrations, and just plain louder. It's just to make it more civil.

For what it's worth, with the stock gearing, the bike felt slower than my F4i race bike. I switched over to a 15/50 with a 520 chain on my 03 r6 race bike and it feels much nicer now. Best bang for the buck mod if you want greater acceleration. I haven't had time to get to a track where I can wring out 6th gear, but I'd say 15/50 or 15/49 are great combos for the R6. If it matters, as far as go fast mods I have: +4 ignition advancer, akropovic exhaust, velocity stacks, removed AIS system, venting crankcase vent to atmosphere, pc3, race gas, bmc air filter, and a custom map.

InsaniT

How about some details on the crankcase hose. Are you saying you disconnected it from the air box and have it going to some type of home made container? You running 2 or 4 stacks?
 
#7 ·
I went to a Yamaha dealership over the weekend and they were saying that I shouldn't do 15/50 conversion because I'll lose a lot of top end power and the end result will be a bike that has A LOT (stunter's dream) of torque and very little top end. They said to go with the 15/48 conversion.

Me, I'm looking for some more punch on the lower end but not give up too much high end considering I commute on this bike too.

What do you folk's think? Also, I plan on getting the speado healer.
 
#8 ·
If you still have some life left on your stock chain then go buy a new 15 tooth 532
sprocket and slap it on. I have not changed my gearing yet, but this is what I am
going to do first to see how I like it. Sprocket Specialists sells this sprocket for like
$25. I think it is worth it to try out first.
 
#9 ·
Evolution247 said:
I went to a Yamaha dealership over the weekend and they were saying that I shouldn't do 15/50 conversion because I'll lose a lot of top end power and the end result will be a bike that has A LOT (stunter's dream) of torque and very little top end. They said to go with the 15/48 conversion.

Me, I'm looking for some more punch on the lower end but not give up too much high end considering I commute on this bike too.

What do you folk's think? Also, I plan on getting the speado healer.
If you commute allot the 15/48 will give you just a bit more accel without the rpm's as high while cruising the highway. With that said one of the most popular mods is 15/49 or 15/50 on the R6 and I have yet to hear or see more than one complaint about loosing to much top end.
 
#10 ·
kcanter_R6 said:
If you still have some life left on your stock chain then go buy a new 15 tooth 532
sprocket and slap it on. I have not changed my gearing yet, but this is what I am
going to do first to see how I like it. Sprocket Specialists sells this sprocket for like
$25. I think it is worth it to try out first.
I just did this mod, and there's a slight difference in acceleration, but not as significant as my buddy's 15/50 setup. The sprocket comes with two washers, however I used only one between the engine and sprocket.
 
#11 ·
sleeperR6 said:
I just did this mod, and there's a slight difference in acceleration, but not as significant as my buddy's 15/50 setup. The sprocket comes with two washers, however I used only one between the engine and sprocket.

So if you could do it all over again, which would you opt to do? 15/50 or 15/49?
 
#12 ·
Evolution247 said:
So if you could do it all over again, which would you opt to do? 15/50 or 15/49?
Since I hardly ride on the street anymore and became addicted to track days, 15/50 is the perfect setup. I haven't tried a 15/49 setup, so I don't know how that feels. In your case, since you commute on your R6 also, 15/50 wouldn't be ideal for you. Not unless you like doing wheelies on the freeway. Try a 15/49 first, I heard that you don't have to add links if you decide to go 15/50.

The reason I went with only 15 in the front is because my rear stock sprocket is still good, and when I get better at track days (if I get better), I'll change to the 15/50 setup. Besides, like kcanter said, it's only $25. Maybe this website will help you in choosing what setup to go with.

http://www.yzfr6.net/sprocket_speed.php
 
#13 ·
15.50 is about perfect for an 03+ I wouldnt change a thing about mine. If you do commute or ride a ton of highway though it may be a little much. As far as loosing top end speed....its not much if at all. The gear change will allow the bike to pull higher rpms then the stock set up would...meaning you will not hit the rev limiter with stock gearing but you may get closer now.
 
#14 ·
sleeperR6 said:
Since I hardly ride on the street anymore and became addicted to track days, 15/50 is the perfect setup. I haven't tried a 15/49 setup, so I don't know how that feels. In your case, since you commute on your R6 also, 15/50 wouldn't be ideal for you. Not unless you like doing wheelies on the freeway. Try a 15/49 first, I heard that you don't have to add links if you decide to go 15/50.

The reason I went with only 15 in the front is because my rear stock sprocket is still good, and when I get better at track days (if I get better), I'll change to the 15/50 setup. Besides, like kcanter said, it's only $25. Maybe this website will help you in choosing what setup to go with.

http://www.yzfr6.net/sprocket_speed.php
Cool. Thanks for the info!
 
#15 ·
I did the 520 conversion to my 02 and went 15/48 - I don't have the link anymore but there was a sight that showed the gearing/speed depending on which one you went with. From what I remember the original 16/48 by straight gearing is good for like 186 mph - and we all know that the R6 won't push itself through the air that fast, the 15/48 is good for like 169 so given that the R6 is good for 160-165 mph then you didn't lose any top end, just gained more throughout the powerband. I also have the yellow box to correct the speedometer and have just about rung my bike out in 6th and was able to hit 160 without too much problem. I also considered the 15/50 and I also commute on the highway back and forth to work and on rides - I think the 15/48 is the better option for that kind of riding - you can cruise in 6th on the highway/freeway without being way up in the revs. Like the other guys said, if your doing track days and light to light running then I would go 15/50. I like the 15/48, just thought I'd give you an opinion from someone that has a little different setup than some of the other replys. Good luck with your choice - either way you will like the additional acceleration that you will get!
 
#16 ·
jhoffmann said:
I did the 520 conversion to my 02 and went 15/48 - I don't have the link anymore but there was a sight that showed the gearing/speed depending on which one you went with. From what I remember the original 16/48 by straight gearing is good for like 186 mph - and we all know that the R6 won't push itself through the air that fast, the 15/48 is good for like 169 so given that the R6 is good for 160-165 mph then you didn't lose any top end, just gained more throughout the powerband. I also have the yellow box to correct the speedometer and have just about rung my bike out in 6th and was able to hit 160 without too much problem. I also considered the 15/50 and I also commute on the highway back and forth to work and on rides - I think the 15/48 is the better option for that kind of riding - you can cruise in 6th on the highway/freeway without being way up in the revs. Like the other guys said, if your doing track days and light to light running then I would go 15/50. I like the 15/48, just thought I'd give you an opinion from someone that has a little different setup than some of the other replys. Good luck with your choice - either way you will like the additional acceleration that you will get!
Cool. Thanks for the input! I'm still on the fence as to which direction I'd like to go. Right now it's between going down in the front one tooth or doing the 15/49 set up. Also, I just hit with some good property taxes (don't you just love Cali) that took a lot more out of my pocket than expected. Most likely I'll go with teh 15/49.
 
#17 ·
I really think it varies on the rider, weight, and bike. I am running 15/50 with speedohealer. We tested the speedo healer and fine tuned it so it was as accurate as possible. I was good to just over 160. The last time I looked it was 163 at 14.5k.

15-50 is a good setup, if you are worried about loosing top end go 15/48 but IMHO 15-50 just give you applied power through out the entire power band of the bike.
 
#18 ·
49 or 50

Hey guys,
When spring rolls around i'd like to do a few upgrades (first being a damper, for a little more safty) Anyways i'm interested in changing the sprockets. i was thinking 15-50, but now am unsure because twice a year i have to do a 100 mile trip from college to home. How is a 15-50 on a highway (45mph) are you taxing the rpms alot then?
And secondly, is there a noticable acceleration and torque difference from 49 to 50? Thanks guys
- Glenn
 
#19 ·
Apache600 said:
Hey guys,
When spring rolls around i'd like to do a few upgrades (first being a damper, for a little more safty) Anyways i'm interested in changing the sprockets. i was thinking 15-50, but now am unsure because twice a year i have to do a 100 mile trip from college to home. How is a 15-50 on a highway (45mph) are you taxing the rpms alot then?
And secondly, is there a noticable acceleration and torque difference from 49 to 50? Thanks guys
- Glenn

Right now I am at 16/50 and am looking to get a 15t sprocket. Yes the rpm's will be higher, but oh well that's where the power is at. In 6th I would say it should be no problem at all. I know on group rides I am usually between 3/4th to keep the revs up and after a full day I feel weird not having the bike up above 9k non-stop!
 
#20 ·
Apache600 said:
Hey guys,
When spring rolls around i'd like to do a few upgrades (first being a damper, for a little more safty) Anyways i'm interested in changing the sprockets. i was thinking 15-50, but now am unsure because twice a year i have to do a 100 mile trip from college to home. How is a 15-50 on a highway (45mph) are you taxing the rpms alot then?
And secondly, is there a noticable acceleration and torque difference from 49 to 50? Thanks guys
- Glenn

49-50 are very close and might be hard to notice the difference. I run 15/49 and a few times a year I do long trips on the highway with no problems. You might get just a bit more buzzing or vibration on the highway. Nothing extreme.
 
#21 ·
45mph on the highway..Damn I'd go nutz. Anyway 45 isn't bad at all with 15-50 in 2nd I think you'd be pulling around 8k rpm. But you could click into 3-5 and still be in a good rpm range for commute style riding. Unless you are me and commute like it's the last lap of the season. Our highway speeds are 65 but there's places where if you aren't running 90 you better get ready to get run over.
 
#22 ·
Commute like a track day is the way I get too haha. I can't stand sitting still at a constant speed for too long so i draft a few 18 wheelers and whip around a few cars at a good 80-90 just to spice up the trip. I think ima go with 15/48 just to get a tad bit diff not sure though.
 
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