I think our stock gearing is 17/42 (14r '13)
if the rear sprocket is changed out to a 44,
would it be reasonably safe for the clutch,
to be starting out routinely in 2nd gear?

First, do some searching about changing sprocket gearing on the Gen2 ZX-14R. There is a problem with some sensor (maybe the speed sensor) which causes the engine to run poorly. There was a thread in the last year where someone figured out what gearing combinations didn't interfere with the stock electronics. Don't quote me on this but I think it was a stock engine sprocket worked with a 45 tooth rear. This gearing phenomenon may not be the same among all years of Gen2 which points to this being differences in ECUs.

Second, my Gen1 had 17/45 sprocket gearing. It took off just fine in second gear although I did notice less power way low in the rpms when the clutch was fully engaged. I prefer having the instant power delivery of first gear even with a 45T rear sprocket.

There's no doubt, you'll put a little more wear on the clutch to get the bike rolling. A 45T rear doesn't make second gear equal the mechanical advantage of first gear with stock sprocket gearing. A 44T, even a bit less. You will notice +4 for certain. It probably was the mod I did with my Gen1 where I could feel the biggest change. I was usually running at about 400 to 500 rpm higher at normal street speeds. I'd say a normal first gear take-off on the street required 100 to 200 lower rpm before the clutch was fully engaged. That's not a huge difference. It would help if you wanted to take off in second gear but it's not going to make 17/44 second feel like 17/42 first. My Gen1 perked along down the alley at zero throttle and low rpm in first gear quit comfortably. The stock gearing would have been lugging badly or I would have had to grab the clutch intermittently and coast to keep it at a low speed.

You will notice more frequent gear changes to keep the bike at the rpms you normally ride at with a +4 sprocket. I like this. It makes all the gears more usable more of the time. My 08 still could do at least 180 mph with the 45T rear. I had it at about 179 mph at 10,500 rpm and still climbing.

Again, do your research if you haven't already. There's been a number of conversations where certain sprocket gearings with the 14R that caused the engine to run poorly.

I'm pretty sure you shouldn't be able to select 2nd gear from neutral while sitting still. There's a set of 3 ramp ball that act as a lockout. They typically are removed in a race application. You could start out in second after rolling to a stop in a downshift situation just avoiding the last downshift if desired.

Thanks Rook,
Yeah, I'm not looking to match 1st,
just in finding a reasonable compromise,
I've used 2nd often in other bikes
without excessive clutch issues, but
they had pretty short 1st gear ratios,
so I'm just looking to cut 2nd down just enough
so it's not wildly abusive to the clutch.

Ford,
Yeah, I noticed that, I can just
stop downshifting when I get to
2nd, but as you know, then we'd have
to keep holding the clutch in if
at a 3 minute long signal.
I'd like to find
a way to disable that function.
I was looking in the manual and they
call it something like;
The 'Positive Neutral' feature.
I'm not feeling the 'Positive' vibe
of it though.

* Last updated by: Stratovarious on 10/25/2025 @ 4:58 AM *