2021 MX Gearing Set Up Guide (*Updated*)

I have continued to spend a lot of time testing on each 2021 machine you see below. I went back and forth on several bikes to see which gearing would be good for the average rider. Just like most technology things evolve and motorcycle settings are no different. I have evolved some of these gearing settings on deep/tilled up clay based tracks to flowing sandy rough desert courses to find a gearing spec that appeases both conditions. Since the word “gearing” is still in the subject line in a lot of my emails, I thought I would condense some of the best gearing specs I have continued to evolve for the 2021 MX test machines. A couple of these gearing specs have evolved since early 2021 so don’t expect some of these to be the same from a few months ago. I DO NOT however just change the gearing for the sake of changing the gearing, like some other media testing outlets. If a certain bike does need an engine character change or maybe the transmission spacing needs help, we will try different gearing. These gearing specs are for stock engines or with aftermarket mufflers. If you have engine work done to your bike, chances are you could change gearing on a few of these machines. I also attached a couple links to some ECU maps (to a few bikes) that I preferred, to compliment the recommended gearing specs. As usual if you have any questions I am here to help you. Email kris@keeferinctesting.com and I will be happy to assist you.

Yamaha:

YZ250F: Stock: 13/50 13/51 Recommended with ECU Map: (Keefer Free Feeling Map) Why this gearing? Helps the 2021 YZ250F’s slightly less low end feel come back so you can ride in third gear more.

YZ450F: Stock 13/49 Recommended 13/49 or 14/53 ECU: (TP 3.0 or 5.0)  The 14/53 gearing will help the chassis settle more on acceleration as well as help calm the bike on de-cel. This also keeps third gear usable in almost all track conditions.

Kawasaki:

KX250: Stock/Recommended 13/50  ECU: (Keefer Map) You can view the KX 250 map here: https://www.keeferinctesting.com/motocross-testing/2020/1/6/2020-kawasaki-kx250-top-5-mods

KX450: Stock 13/50 Recommended 13/51 ECU: (Keefer Map) You can view the KX450 map here: https://www.keeferinctesting.com/motocross-testing/2019/8/25/2020-kawasaki-kx450-reviewbaseline-settings.

Going to a 13/51, instead of the stock 13/50 gearing, helps the rider get into third gear quicker on exit of corners. The stock 13/50 WILL NOT pull third gear in corners without using a lot of clutch.

Suzuki:

RM-Z250: Stock/Recommended 13/50 Recommended Coupler: White coupler 

RM-Z450: Stock 13/50 Recommended 13/51 White coupler (Helps mid range pulling power on deep tracks)

Honda:

CRF250R: Stock 13/48 Recommended: 13/49 or 13/50 (Helps rider get into third gear earlier and gives more pulling power without sacrificing second gear roll on). The stock 13/48 makes second and third gear feel super short/close together, but the 13/49 or 50 tooth rear sprocket will allow you to run third gear in corners.)

CRF450R: Stock 13/49 Recommended: 13/49 Unlike last year’s Honda CRF450R, the new hydraulic clutch is a tight fit for a 14T countershaft and I just don’t trust it because it is too damn close to the slave cylinder.

KTM:

This set up on all three bikes will help settle the rear end out of corners/square edge/braking bumps. It will also help 2nd-3rd gear recovery as well as transition between each gear.

250 SX-F: Stock 14/51 Recommended 14/52

350 SX-F: Stock 14/51 Recommended 14/53

450 SX-F: Stock 13/49 Recommended 14/52 ECU Setting: Vortex ECU mapped by Chad at XPR or Jamie at Twisted Development

Husqvarna: 

This set up on all three bikes will help settle the rear end out of corners and help with 2nd-3rd gear transition exiting corners.

FC 250: Stock 14/51 Recommended 14/52

FC350: Stock 14/51 Recommended 14/52

FC450: Stock 13/49 Recommended 14/52 ECU Setting: Vortex ECU mapped by Chad at XPR or Jamie at Twisted Development

Gas Gas: 

This set up on both bikes will help settle the rear end out of corners and help with 2nd-3rd gear transition exiting corners.

MC 250: Stock 14/51 Recommended 14/52

MC 450: Stock 13/49 Recommended 14/52