EP:9 Ducati Multistrada Front Sprocket 14T vs 15T and Rear Sprocket 40T vs 42T & Chain info

Ducati Multistrada gearing change: today we are looking at the two different ways to adjust the gearing on your Ducati Multistrada. Front sprocket- 15T down to 14T, and rear sprocket 40T up to 42T and talk about why many owners make this change.

This is episode 9 in a series about buying and ownership of a Ducati Multistrada and my personal long-term experience over 3 years and 20,000 km.

The Ducati Multistrada does have some other important issues you need to be aware of, so I am going to cover the common problems, tyre choice, comfort, brakes and maintenance, touring, servicing, electrical issues, gearbox problems, modifications and the exhaust system.

I am going to share my honest, straight forward review of what you can expect from buying a used Ducati Multistrada and the issues and problems I have experienced and how to fix them.

I hope to upload 1 new video each week during this first season, so please Subscribe and press the Bell notification button (This will help the channel grow and develop), and of course you will be notified when the next episode is uploaded. Thank you, Carl

If you have any requests or content suggestions about the Ducati Multistrada… just let me know.

00:00 Intro
01:00 Sprockets and Chain
01:43 14T front
02:00 How To
02:52 Torque Setting
03:00 Chain De-Link ?
04:30 Gearing Changes
05:00 Why ?
06:00 Chain sizes

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[KVEmotorunit]

I recently bought a 14 Multistrada. On technical tracks I had the problem of always having to switch between 2 and 3 gear. The gear ratio was wrong. After watching your film, I changed the front sprocket to 14t.
This is a realy big difference. Now it is correct, runs the traject in 3the gear and the engine responds quieter on the throttle.

[macostr]

The way you describe its behavior on 3rd gear in the city... couldn't agree more. I'm just about to change the chain and both sprockets, so I'll go with 15-42 option and report back in couple of weeks. Thank you, great explanation and hope to see more clever hacks how to smoothen and improve the multistrada on this channel. Good luck.

[nomaddesign]

I dropped to a OEM 14T sprocket and it made a huge difference for slow speed through villages. I thought my 2010 1200S needed Dyno'd or ECU flashed as the slow speed / low RPM fueling seemed terrible. Sprocket change made a significant improvement. A 20V Dewalt impact gun was sufficient for sprocket nut removal for me. Note I used OEM front sprocket has a rubber coating which is supposed to be a bit quieter. Props to the dealer parts guys at MotoCorsa in Portland OR for recommending this change.

[distancejunkiemonkey]

Great video! Gearing change is worth a complete performance tune, airbox, header, exhaust and tuner for a fraction of the cost and work. Always start with a gearing change. All motorcycles are geared to high for emissions

[sartric]

Hi Carl,
I have developed an addiction to your videos: your clarity is enviable as well as being so comprehensive.
I would like to switch to 14t but the triptych has ran only 12000 km. Are there any throwbacks to changing only the front sprocket leaving OEM chain and OEM rear sprocket in terms of compatibility Thank you.

[henryosborne]

Thanks for these videos Carl, you are great at explaining all of these topics and go into the right level of detail. You are helping out with my self maintenance and modification of my new, cheap, 68, 000km Multistrada 1200. Coming from a three cylinder Triumph Daytona 675, I have found the choppyness of the Ducati at <4, 000 rpm quite confronting. I started with the exhaust valve eliminator plug which has made a good improvement. Next on the list is this 14T front sprocket modification. My front brakes are terrible and have severe on/off warping feedback particularly when coming to a stop. Not good in the twisties when you're used to brilliant Triumph supersport brakes with SC pads... I've just ordered new Brembo Oro discs and SA pads from Italy for delivery to Australia for a good price. Will take your advice on greasing the caliper pistons properly. Cheers.

[jdlancaster]

Wow you are so right! The behavior around 30mph is particularly jarring for me - I'm getting yanked around all over the place. 6th gear redundancy as well - I can actually reach a higher top speed in 5th than I can in 6th on my 2018 1260S - there's just no reason for 6th gear to exist. Going to purchase an impact wrench and go for it, wish me luck. - an aspiring home technician.

[JOE.DANCEN]

wow, great video. Thanks, it explained so much. Any downside regarding wearing with a 14T noticed?

[jerzgr]

Thank you very much! I'm riding a '14 796 and have the same problems. Definitely making these sprocket and exhaust gat delete modifications.
Thanks again for your informative and professional videos

[beachboy]

Had the same problem with my 2011 Pikes Peak 1200S, I thought the fuelling was wrong ( if it was on an old Carb bike it’s like the carbs need cleaning) chugging and spluttering along below 2, 500 rpm. We now have 20 mph limits and trying to go that slow behind the traffic is not much fun ! What you have said makes a lot of sense. Even pulling off on an incline takes great clutch control as you need the revs, but then you need carefully to ride the clutch! If not you either stall (too few revs) or release the clutch and go surging forward! Not Good if you are trying to turn! And 6th gear is pointless. When I get a chance I will be swapping the front for a 14T. Thanks for the video and for the insight, and also to the other comments 👍 It’s nice to know I’m not imagining things

[jamieshim]

my hypermotard 796 have same problem. thank you for information

[vspatmx]

Easy to understand. Fab data. I Cud translate it for other brands. Helps me understand ktm a lot better

[jteeter]

Thank you so much for this series of videos. I'm soon to be picking up a 13' 1200s gt. Your experience and ability to explain issues and solutions has been very helpful. I look forward to more videos 😁, Jeff

[MrCruzoso]

What is those recommendations on the manufacturer on the gear company

[bennryan]

Thanks! I have a V-Strom 650, but the same issue exists, where you prefer to be in 3rd while around town, and including making turns to new street...the bike just seems to bog, and doesn't like it. And it seems strange to feather the clutch in 3rd to make it a smooth transition through a turn. Even still, the straights/flats the bike still chug-a-lugs along. And 2nd gear is okay, but the revs are higher than what's comfortable or practical. It's 15t stock, I purchased 14t from JT, and it's a package deal, where I'm replacing the chain and the rear sprocket. But, as I read, off the line it's way better, and who doesn't want that? The only downside, aside form the mpg being affected, is that 6th gear at 70mph is 5k rpms, and the bike really does perform nicely. Plenty of get up and go, and the revs aren't at a comfortable cruising feel. But, I'm going for it. Maybe it's a mistake, and I'll have to return to 15t, but it's worth it! Fun stuff! Thanks for the great video.

[PartialS]

Another big thanks for the work you've put into these excellent videos Carl. I've been searching again today for just the standard chain specification and standard sprocket sizes, and came up with nothing (even on the Ducati forums) until I remembered your video series. Not about to change any time soon, but will watch your new GS videos anyway, as I'm sure there'll be valuable stuff to learn :) 6th gear, as you say, is largely useless with the standard gearing. The engine has load of grunt for 6th of course, but I often forget I even have a 6th as 5th feels like a suitable top gear for UK roads. If it wasn't for the gear indicator reminding me I had another gear left I'd probably never bother changing into 6th.

Really also appreciate the pre-disassembly detail about the front sprocket nut. I'm an amateur mechanic, and so many times I've gone down repair avenues only to find I didn't have the right tool to do the job properly, meaning that I just had to back up and reassemble, wasting hours.

[rs-dms]

As I've mentioned previously, the biggest problem is that the fuel map at low rpm low throttle is too lean - this is of course to allow the bike to pass euro emission regulations.
By changing the fuel map (I will admit this is not a simple thing to do - firstly requires a tuneboy or other ECU remapper, secondly requires a better fuel map, and this is a very complicated task) it solves this problem completely. By the way I don't mind sharing my fuel map, which is for the tuneboy.
I should add that I have removed my catalytic converter, this is not so difficult. This alone, however, probably doesn't help much.
With a better fuel map and original sprockets :
32kph in 3rd gear
47kph in 4th gear
62kph in 5th gear
80kph in 6th gear
- all of these of course on level roads, can go slightly slower on a slight downhill, but on a slight uphill the minimum speed is a bit higher in all gears
From these speeds and up, the bike is totally smooth and can roll on without any juddering
If it would be of any interest, I have an old vid where I was practicing circles in third gear at 30 - 34 kph. You can hear that the engine starts to get unhappy at 30kph, but as soon as the speed picks up over that it is smooth. I can upload it if anyone wants to see it.

[madman]

I will share my experience. Yes bike is geared pretty high and 6th gear at 60 MPH was chugging along. I changed to 14x42 and really liked it. All gears usable and accelerated well and 6th was really usable, bike would still go scary fast. I don't need to go 150mph. Problem is can't get the chain adjustment right. I was at the rear of the adjustment range so I took a link out and the chain was too short to fit over the sprockets, just barely too short. I gave up and went to 15x42. I don't believe they make half links for these chains but that seems like what I would need to use 14x42.

[raherre]

Came across this video a bit late. I have an issue with my chain. I had it replaced back in may, the shop that installed it cut it to 108 links and everything seemed fine but now im at max tension adjustment and the chain is still too loose. I noticed I had a 14T front sprocket and a 40T and thought maybe thats why I cant get tension on the chain and bought a 15T but now I dont think its gonna solve my problem. Any advice is welcome

[LushmanGB]

Hi Carl, loving the video. I presume it is the same issue on the 1260 as mine does not like going through villages at the legal speed. Did you see any difference in MPG changing the front sprocket?