Banshee Sprockets ⚙️ and Gearing - What Tooth Count to Buy?

Which Sprockets should I buy for my Banshee?

Stock Size for Yamaha Banshee Sprockets is:

• 1987-1988: 13 Tooth Front Countershaft & 42 Tooth Rear Hub.
• 1989-2006: 14 Tooth Front Countershaft & 41 Tooth Rear Hub.

There are many variables to consider when choosing gearing for your Banshee. These can include:

• Tire Size and Style. Putting on different sized tires can change your gearing. Paddle tires in sand pull harder on the engine than knobbies. You may need to change gearing to compensate. Tire size also changes over time with tire wear. 
• Engine Horsepower Output. Higher HP usually requires higher gear ratio.
• Rider's Weight. Generally, a lighter rider can use a higher gear ratio; a heavier rider may need a lower gear ratio.
• Terrain. Dirt, sand, pavement, flat ground, rolling hills, steep hills.
• End Use. Trail riding, drag racing, track racing, sled pulling.

There is no simple way to suggest the best combination of sprockets you should buy for your Banshee - because there are so many variables. This article includes general information on how the ratios work, and gives general advice.

If you need guidance choosing the best gearing combo for your Banshee setup, give us a call. We will ask you questions about your Banshee and other variables so we can help you decide before you buy.

Call us at 541-419-6054 📱📞

How to Calculate Your Gear Ratio

What is the Gear Ratio?

The gear ratio in a Banshee refers to the relationship between the sizes of the 2 sprockets. It tells you how many times the smaller sprocket must rotate to make the larger sprocket complete one full rotation. This ratio affects the Banshee's speed, acceleration, and torque delivery, depending on which sprocket sizes are used. Essentially, it's a measure of how the engine's power is transmitted from the sprockets to the Banshee's wheels.

Calculating the gear ratio for your Banshee involves determining the ratio between the number of teeth on the 2 sprockets. Here's how:

1. Count Teeth: Count the number of teeth on your Banshee's Front Countershaft Sprocket and the Rear Hub Sprocket.
   
   
2. Calculate Gear Ratio: Divide the number of teeth on the larger rear sprocket by the number of teeth on the smaller front sprocket.

For example, if the Rear Sprocket has 41 teeth and the Front Sprocket has 14 teeth, the gear ratio would be:

Stock Banshee Gear Ratio = 41 / 14 = 2.93:1

Understanding the gear ratios helps you understand how your Banshee's power is transmitted to the ground - and how it affects performance.

Changing Front Sprocket vs Rear Sprocket - Do the Math

Stock Gearing

If you start with the stock 41/14 sprocket combo, your gear ratio is 2.93:1.

• Higher Number = Lower Gearing.
• Lower Number = Higher Gearing.

Lower Your Gearing

Decreasing the front sprocket by 1 tooth is roughly the same as increasing the rear sprocket by 3 teeth. 

• Increase rear sprocket by 3 teeth. Gear ratio changes to 44/14 = 3.14:1 
• Decrease front sprocket by 1 tooth. Gear ratio changes to 41/13 = 3.15:1 

You might lower your gearing for more steep hill climbing, or if you switch from rear knobbies to paddle tires.

Increase Your Gearing

Increasing the front sprocket by 1 tooth is roughly the same as decreasing the rear sprocket by 3 teeth. 

• Decrease rear sprocket by 3 teeth. Gear ratio changes to 38/14 = 2.71:1
• Increase front sprocket by 1 tooth. Gear ratio changes to 41/15 = 2.73:1 

You might increase your gearing to gain more top end speed. 

Should I Change Front or Rear Sprocket?

Some Practical Considerations. Changing the front sprocket is the large or coarse adjustment. Changing the rear sprocket is the small or fine tuning adjustment.

It is easiest to start with changing the Front Countershaft Sprocket  for these reasons:

1. New Chain Not Needed. If you decrease or increase the rear sprocket by 3 teeth, you will need to change your chain. You will not be able to adjust it enough to fit. Each link in the chain fits 2 teeth. If you want lower gearing to climb hills, you will need to add 3 teeth to your rear sprocket (change from 41 to 44 tooth sprocket) AND add 2 more links to your chain length (1.5 links, but that's not possible, so you go up 2 links).
   
   If you reduce your front sprocket by 1 tooth, you can probably use the same chain, but adjust it.
   
   
2. Skid Plate May Not Fit. Anything above a 43 tooth rear sprocket, and you cannot use the OEM skid plate. A 43 tooth sprocket barely fits.
   
   
3. Lower Ground Clearance. Larger rear sprocket hangs lower, which lowers your ground clearance.
   
   
4. Increased Risk for Damage. If you have lower ground clearance AND you had to remove your skid plate to accommodate your larger rear sprocket, your Banshee's chain and rear sprocket are more vulnerable to damage. They are much more likely to drag on the ground or when going over obstacles. 
   
   
5. Easier to Try Out Different Gearing. If you are not sure which gearing you prefer for your riding conditions and other variables, try buying and installing a different front sprocket. It's faster, easier, and less expensive because you don't need to change as many other parts AND your Banshee stays better protected from damage. You may decide changing only the front sprocket gets your gearing where you want it without needing to change the rear sprocket.  

For these reasons, we recommend to start with changing the front sprocket. Try it out. If you still need some slight adjustments to your gearing, THEN change your rear sprocket by 1-2 teeth.

We have another blog post coming soon that provides more detail about how changing your Banshee's tire size also affects the gear ratio. 

We can help you choose a good combo for tires, sprockets, chain, and engine tuning to get you the performance you are hoping for!

Give us a call for questions. 541-419-6054 📱📞