350 sxf gearing

[Runger]

Hoping someone can give me a little guidance on this. I have a 2013 350 sxf and it's time for a new sprocket and chain set. I went on the Wednesday evening ride 2 weeks ago and really enjoyed it but the gearing on my bike sucks. Probably should have bought a xcf. Just wondering if any of the 350 sxf/xcf riders out there could offer any suggestions. I'm not sure if there's any of you out there as the 4 strokes are definitely in the minority. Thanks. Russ

[trailguy]

Is your bike currently 13/50 ? If it is, I would go 13/52 or 53.

[Runger]

Thanks for the reply. It's 14/50 now so 13/50 might be a good starting point.

[dirtyboy]

350xcf here running 13/50 and it works great. Not sure about the different gear box ratios effect.

[Runger]

I was hoping a xcf guy would reply. I figured out the difference between the 2 bikes and I can get my 1st the same as yours so that's a great starting point. My bike has to haul 210 lbs plus gear around. Do you think I'd want to be the same or a bit lower. I'm trying to get it right the first time because I have yet to figure out to cut a chain to make it longer if I need to get a bigger back sprocket. Thanks

[cedric]

Cheap and easy to put a 13 on the front, might not be the ultimate setup for you but will be lots closer than where you are now. No need to mess with cutting chain. Try that first, may be just what you need.

[axel99]

Don't assume lower gearing will work better. Try a used 13 front, if that works better and you are buying all new chain and sprockets go to 14/53 (1:3.79) is just a bit taller than 13/50 (1:3.85) and the front sprocket seems to last longer and you can go to 13/53 (1:4.08) for just $25 if you want to try even lower without cutting the chain

[Runger]

Thanks for all the help. I'll be trying out some new gearing Wednesday evening.

[Dave8444]

I ride a 2015 Husky FC 350 I also weight the same. It is a mx bike converted to off road riding. I run a 13X52 gearing I also have a tried a 53 it work good. I just liked the 52 better.
Dave

[Runger]

Hi Dave. That's helpful. I'm going to put a fan on it tomorrow to see if I can get it to stop percolating. I really like the bike, just need to make it work off road.

[dirtyboy]

I tried some lower gearing on my 350XCF but it ends up too explosive, spins too much and doesn't allow me to use 1st gear. With the stock 13/50 I can really use 1st gear for the steep stuff even though the bike likes 3rd gear best.

[cerealkiller]

I run 13-52 on my 350 XCF and used to run 12-50. 12-50 was nice for a super low first gear. It let me keep the clutch out without stalling in the really difficult sections. I found second was too abrupt though and I was constantly shifting between 2-3 trying to find the right gear dodging between the trees.

Dirtyboy, are you running a rekluse? I think that would change the recommendation.

[dirtyboy]

I've had the 350XCF for 3 years now. The first year was with a manual (stock) clutch which is when I changed tryed 13/52 and 51 but went back to 13/50. The last 2 years I used a Rekluse EXP Core 3.0 but that hasn't changed my gearing selection from 13/50. It makes it easy when I change bikes since 13/50 is the stock gearing.