Kawasaki

In this video I experimented with installing a 16 tooth front (engine) sprocket and then I talk about the end result behaviour of the bike with the +1 tooth extra in the front.

Why?
To fix the inaccuracy of the speedometer (~+8km/h)
To utilize the excessive low end torque of this engine and convert it into more speed.
+6% Better fuel economy
To reclaim the usefulness 1st, 2nd, 3rd gears.
To make the bike feel and sound a little more old fashioned as it revs through longer gears.


How?
To do this you’ll need:

27mm socket and 1/2” breaker bar
H5 socket or Allen key
14mm socket
10mm socket
8mm socket
Molybdenum bisulphate paste
1/2” Torque wrench

~2h for the job for #w650 #w800 #meguro

Update:
After riding a few more days on 16/39 ratio I can say that for a W650 it’s going to work; however, it’s just a tad too tall and I can feel it as I climb steep hills or trying to accelerate fast off the line. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fine for 95% of rides, but if you carry a passenger be prepared to lower the gear. Now I know that the absolutely perfect ratio for W650 is 15/37.
Things are different for W800/K3 owners. Since the W800 comes with 15/37 from the factory, has ~30kg more weight and has a lower 1st gear [but all other gears are the same as in W650] the W800 would benefit from much less drastic 15/36 or 16/39 final drive ratio. The OEM W800’s ratio (15/37) is actually better than on the 650. The problem only is that the speedometer is wrong by ~6-8km/h.
In conclusion the 16t is good, but 15/37 is better for W650. For W800 I would not recommend to change the final drive ratio much at all. -1 tooth from the back max.