What is the BEST size tires for a 200x?

[84_200x_49660]

Looking to get some new tires for my 200x. I have 22's on the back. I want something smaller to make it look nicer. What are the best sizes for rear tires? What is the best size for the front? I want something more low profile. Do you gain any speed the lower profile you go? Need some help

Thanks

[Xpress]

The smaller tires you put on it, the faster you will get up to speed, but the slower the machine will go. If you want to drop to 20's in the rear, then you are going to need to re-gear to keep the same speed, say go to a 37t sprocket in the rear.

[84_200x_49660]

How much top speed are we talking about losing? I like all the low end grunt. I know these things aren't fast at all top end. So i wouldn't want to go any smaller than 20's in the rear? If i was going to runs 20's what would be a good front tire size?

[Xpress]

Not sure, probably a few MPH, which is why you will want to re-gear. As far as top speed is concerned, at ~56mph (at least mine) it's not bad at all for just a 200CC machine.

[84_200x_49660]

Would you go any smaller than 20's in the rear? Would it be fine if you just bought a different sprocket? Where can i find a sprocket? I tried ebay and didn't find any that have that many teeth.

[Yamaha_Rules69]

Also remember that by going down in tire size, you loose ground clearance. If you do a lot of woods rining or ride on rocky terrain, I would deffinatly go no lower than 20, thats pushin it. Keep the front size the way it is - you can go either 23.5x8-11 which is stock for the 200x, or go 23x8-11, a half inch smaller, and not really noticable if you ask me. The top speed of the machine will be greatly noticable, even by just going from a 22 to a 20. For that small of a drop, you could just go up one tooth on th efront sprocket, and see how that does. Good luck!

[84_200x_49660]

What will changing the front sprocket do? Will that help low end? Where can i get sprockets from?

[Yamaha_Rules69]

Ebay, denniskirk.com , rockymountainatv.com , etc. If you put smaller rear tires on, you will have to adjust the gearing to obtain reasonable top speed. By putting a larger front sprocket or smaller rear sprocket on will increase the top speed, but slower acceleration. By putting a smaller front sprocket and larger rear sprocket on will decrease the top speed, but give you faster acceleration, and more low end torque. The first thing to change would be the front sprocket, because it is the cheapest, and easier job of the two to do. Have you ever seen stunt crotch rockets? They usually have a very small front sprocket, and insanely large rear sprocket, geared for one thing - torque. Its no wonder why they can pop the front end up in the blink of an eye, and ride it like a tractor. On the other hand, a top speed racer who is trying to break land records will have a very large front sprocket, and very small rear. It might take him a while to get there, but once he's there, he will be screaming.

[84_200x_49660]

What size FRONT sprocket will i need to get? Then would i just stay with the 40 in the rear? I DON'T want to lose low end, but i don't want to lose a ton of top end.

[Xpress]

I think the stock is 14T, so try a 15T or maybe even grab a 16T to see what you like best.

[84_200x_49660]

Neither of those sites have those size sprockets

[mtsnieg]

Parts Unlimited carries all the sprockets you need for a 1st gen 200x. I put 20" Holeshots on my '85 this spring. Lost some top end speed with the smaller tires. Put on a 13 front sprocket and got my speed back. Just put a set of 18" tires studded for ice racing. Lost all top speed. I ordered a 14 tooth sprocket for the front.

Stock front sprocket is 12 tooth, rear is 40 tooth.

[200XMichigan]

Depends on the kind of riding you do. I like some ground clearance for the riding up north here. If you are going to do much riding in the snow you don't want to go too small. What type of tires are you looking into? I found some tires called Super Grip (brand), Super Light (model). They are lighter than mudlites and have gotten great reviews.

[krazykarl454]

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e145/krazykarl454/IMG_20110111_193918-1.jpg

heres mine with a set of 18x11 fast trackers, on a set of +1" offset rims. if u do the math i'd have to go up 2 teeth on the front to make it equal to having 22's. but i only went up 1 tooth. it did lose alittle top speed, but it accelerates faster and handles better. if u want both more top speed n more accel, u need more horse power

[Xpress]

Stock front sprocket is 12 tooth, rear is 40 tooth.

Ah, that's what it is, so going to a 13T or 14T front sprocket with 18's in the rear would keep about the same speed/acceleration... I believe..

[krazykarl454]

yup, i did the 13t. i like the extra accel out of the turns, its abit easier to slide around.

[camoweasel]

i personally like 22s better then 18s or 20s. I'm more of a trail rider and like the peace mind of having ground clearance. But like the old saying is "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

[Jerm1179]

i always thought it was "beauty is in the eye of the beerholder"...my bad

[Flossyb20]

If you are interested, I have a brand new 13T front sprocket for your bike if you like. Not trying to pimp my parts here, but I had it leftover from a build and figure you may like it...10.00 shipped, about 5.00 cheaper than you'll find online. BTW, I have 20x10x9 on my 85 200x w/ a 13T front and I love it!! I really didn't notice any loss in speed, but she gets up and goes alot better, and handles great throught the turns!

[krazykarl454]

i always thought it was "beauty is in the eye of the beerholder"...my bad

i like that alot