Gearing Ratio Calculator - Theoretical Top Speeds

Roberto Venditti (beRto)

30 April 2008

This spreadsheet calculates theoretical top speed for different input values of sprocket teeth and rear t

Redline rpm and transmission gearing ratios may also be modified using the spreadsheet input cells. I
constant. Modification is permitted to allow the calculator to be used for:
1. Break in procedure (when redline is artificially limited)
2. Motorcycle models other than the GS500

The user enters values for the rear tire size and the number of teeth on the front and rear sprocket. Th
speed for each gear is then calculated. The spreadsheet also generates plots of engine speed [rpm] v
speed [km/h] or [mph] for each gear.

Engine speed for any motorcycle speed can be determined by iterating values in the Redline RPM. Fo
engine speed at 60 mph in top gear, keep changing the Redline RPM value until the Theoretical Top S
mph. For this example, the solution is 4703 rpm. (NOTE: a quicker method for advanced Excel users i
function in the Tools drop-down menu).

***************************************** DISCLAIMER *****************************************

This software is supplied for interest only and is not intended for design purposes.
The author assumes no liability for any damages resulting from use of this software.
No warranty is offered, expressed, implied, or otherwise.
****************************************************************************************************

procket teeth and rear tire size.

preadsheet input cells. In general, these values will be

nt and rear sprocket. The resultant theoretical top

of engine speed [rpm] versus theoretical motorcycle

in the Redline RPM. For example, to calculate the

il the Theoretical Top Speed for 6th gear reads 60
advanced Excel users is to use the goal seek

***********
purposes.
s software.

***********

Gear Ratio Calculator - Theoretical Top Speeds

Roberto Venditti (beRto)
30 April 2008
Tire Sidewall Code (sample)
Rear Tire
130/70-17
Rear Tire
Width [mm]
Aspect Ratio [%]
Inner Diameter [in]

Redline RPM
Calculated Tire Parameters
Tire Diameter [m]
Tire Circumference [m]

Gear Ratio
Gear
Ratio
(stock)
Teeth
1st
3.000
3.000
(32/13)
2nd
1.857
1.857
(32/18)
3rd
1.368
1.368
(29/21)
4th
1.095
1.095
(27/24)
5th
0.923
0.923
(25/26)
6th
0.800
0.800
(23/27)
(From Clymer 1989-2002; Chapter 7, Table 1)

Gear
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th

Theoretical Top Speed Calculations

Overall Ratio
(engine:tire)
35.994
22.280
16.413
13.138
11.074
9.598

***************************************** DISCLAIMER *****************************************

This software is supplied for interest only and is not intended for design purposes.
The author assumes no liability for any damages resulting from use of this software.
No warranty is offered, expressed, implied, or otherwise.
***************************************** DISCLAIMER *****************************************

LEGEND
Variables (user inputs)

all Code (sample)

(stock)

width [mm]

aspect
ratio

inner diameter
[in]

130

70%

17

130
70%
17

(stock)
130
70%
17

13,500

(stock)
13,500

0.61
1.93

(stock)
0.61
1.93

Tire Parameters

Top Speed Calculations

Top Speed
[km/h]
43.4
70.1
95.2
118.9
141.0
162.7

(stock)
[km/h]
43.4
70.1
95.2
118.9
141.0
162.7

************************************

intended for design purposes.

ulting from use of this software.

************************************

(as supplied from factory)

Sprockets
Front [teeth]
Rear [teeth]

Reduction Ratios
Primary
Final

Top Speed
[mph]
27.0
43.6
59.1
73.9
87.6
101.1

Suzuki FXR 150 stock value

(stock)
[mph]
27.0
43.6
59.1
73.9
87.6
101.1

14
48

(stock)
14
48

3.500
3.428

(stock)
3.500
3.428

Road Speed [km/h]

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Engine Speed
[rpm]
1,350
2,700
4,050
5,400
6,750
8,100
9,450
10,800
12,150
13,500

Road Speed for Each Gear [km/h]

2nd
3rd
4th
5th
7.0
9.5
11.9
14.1
14.0
19.0
23.8
28.2
21.0
28.5
35.7
42.3
28.0
38.1
47.6
56.4
35.1
47.6
59.4
70.5
42.1
57.1
71.3
84.6
49.1
66.6
83.2
98.7
56.1
76.1
95.1
112.8
63.1
85.6
107.0
126.9
70.1
95.2
118.9
141.0

1st
4.3
8.7
13.0
17.4
21.7
26.0
30.4
34.7
39.1
43.4

6th
16.3
32.5
48.8
65.1
81.4
97.6
113.9
130.2
146.5
162.7
Road Speed [mph]

Data Point

Engine Speed vs. Road Speed [km/h]

180.0
160.0

120.0
100.0

140.0
80.0

120.0
100.0

60.0

80.0

40.0

60.0
40.0

20.0

20.0

0.0

0.0
0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0

Engine Speed [x1000 rpm]

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

0.0

Road Speed for Each Gear [mph]

2nd
3rd
4th
5th
4.4
5.9
7.4
8.8
8.7
11.8
14.8
17.5
13.1
17.7
22.2
26.3
17.4
23.7
29.5
35.1
21.8
29.6
36.9
43.8
26.1
35.5
44.3
52.6
30.5
41.4
51.7
61.3
34.8
47.3
59.1
70.1
39.2
53.2
66.5
78.9
43.6
59.1
73.9
87.6

Road Speed [mph]

1st
2.7
5.4
8.1
10.8
13.5
16.2
18.9
21.6
24.3
27.0

6th
10.1
20.2
30.3
40.4
50.6
60.7
70.8
80.9
91.0
101.1

Engine Speed
[x1000 rpm]
1.4
2.7
4.1
5.4
6.8
8.1
9.5
10.8
12.2
13.5

Engine Speed vs. Road Speed [mph]

120.0
100.0
80.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0
0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0

Engine Speed [x1000 rpm]

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th