13 vs 14 counter tooth

I know there are various older discussions on “upgrading” to a 14 tooth, but I get varied responses. Some say a 13 factory isn’t an issue. Others swear by upgrading and not worrying about the swing arm. I’m buying new gearing, and found my bike running a 14. Thoughts on going back to the stock counter sprocket? I’ll run either 13/49 or 14/51. This will be 90% off-road.

I also have a new 13/48 combo sitting here, lol.

Hi Desmo,
I think you will have to try what you like best. A few clues I can provide:
I Have run the bike on the following gearings so far:
13/42 (WRX stock)
13/45
13/47
13/48

I like 13/45 for more road/gravel/adventure riding, and I have a specific rearwheel for this setup.

For the real deal, i.e. full trail, I currently run 13/48. It's not bad, but 13/49 for sure is not a mistake either. As per my calculations, based on the respective manuals, 13/48 equals a tad taller than a 2008 WR-F US model stock overall gear reduction in 1st gear (done the calc only for 1st gear), while 13/49 is already a tad lower. This is including all from primary reduction over 1st gear to chain drive gearing. Considering the tamed WRR engine, I think this is the level of gearing needed as a minimum.

13/47 is no bueno. Still a bit to tall for the woods, already annoying in some more straight country road situations.

I'm not done with experimenting in this department. Next will be 13/49, which should just work with a 112 links chain with a 120/80 tyre. My specific limitation being the need to keep the setup capable of accepting the other wheel with 45 teeth, hence no longer chain.

What I absolutely don't know or understand for that matter, is how people manage to have their chain eating into the swing arm with a 13 tooth front sprocket. My bike just does not do this. I have changed that rubber protector once, at around 18000 km, but more for peace of mind reasons. It wasn't worn through. Knock on wood...

Just my 2 cents, not sure whether it's of any help.

Great information, thank you. This makes me think the issues are more about proper chain adjustment. With a 12 tooth sprocket I would imagine the issue causing more problems than the stock 13.

Sorry I'm late to the party! For what it's worth, after reading a couple of horror stories of chains eating into the swingarms, I switched to a 14/49 set. There isn't much good off-road territory around me so I have to ride pavement to get to anything decent. Therefore, most of my miles are road miles. The gearing is very close to stock. If I change it again, I would try a 52 rear. I have almost no wear on the swingarm protector so the 14 sprocket will stay. It's doing what I wanted it to do.

I think that people whose swing arm is getting eaten with 13 front have their chain too tight. I've always had 13 front with 1/2 inch of slack and there is no wear on the swing arm, plus the original chain guard still has meat on it after 7000 miles.