Hey guys, I posted on here a few years ago when I was having carb issues on one of my quads but I haven't been around since.
Anyhoo, I have two twin LT230E Quadsports (very similar to 230S models but with electric start, auto-clutch and 11-41 gearing).
The chains and sprockets are still the stock ones from the factory from 1992...

[History Time]
I have owned both quads since practically new, My parents bought them a year old from a neighbor for me and my sister to ride back when we were kids and I have had them since. They have very little miles on them and quickly became only used at my hunting cabin to drop stuff off back and fourth a few times a year because I really got into motocross bikes back then and still prefer those now.

Both quads two summers ago both started to **** the bed...tires were dry rotting really bad, exhaust pipes were rusting right through, carbs needed to be rebuilt etc. My old man wanted to just get rid of them but I refused and just started doing maintenance to keep them around.


[Parts I have Changed]
1-The tires were swapped to Artrax brand with 20" models on the rear which seem great for what we use them for. They are 2" shorter than stock.
2-The exhausts were replaced with Cobra free flowing systems.
(discontinued, I went through hell to find another for the second quad)
3-Both batteries were replaced with new Yuasa batteries.
4-The carbs were rebuilt and I bought some new jets (120 main, 22.5 pilot) that I have yet to install, they are running funky on stock jetting and wont even run without the breather hose on the carb removed completely.
5-Both have new UNI air filters, spark plugs and a fresh oil change.

What gearing is in my best interest for these? They are used for fun riding two-track trails at my camp but we sometimes need to pull some stuff on the hitch(es) for field upkeep.
I like having the fast top speed but I dont want to switch to a gearing that will not allow the quads to be able to pull something behind them...even they they suck at it

As they sit right now first gear is super super low and almost useless unless I am pulling something.
Stock is 11-41. I have read from 230Sman that he likes 13-41 but would that be too much of a drastic change? 12-41 came stock on S models.

I will be replacing the front/rear sprockets as well as switching to O ring chains.

Thanks for any help!

 

I personally liked the stock gearing on the S model, and felt going up to a 13 lost a little to much oomph to reach top speeds. My only mod was a Cobra exhaust and rejet, circa '87. If you really lost 2" of tire on the rear then going up to the 12 is a no brainer though. Front sprockets are cheep enough, get one 12 and one 13, then have a drag race!

 

I would get the 39 for the back and then like scooter said, both 12 and 13 then see. 39 is easy to find for these quads. If I had to pick just one, then the 12/39. You would need some engine mods for a 13 I think, particularly if you're planning on buying an oring chain.

I ran a 12/36 with 20s with a fairly stock engine.

Helping someone pick gears is like helping someone decide what to have for dinner, it's really just a matter of preference.

 

Oh, I thought I'd add that the 230S came stock with 12/41 with 22 inch tires then the 250S came stock with 12/39 with 20 inch tires. The speeds were the same.

 

Thanks for the chart! That's a lot of info.
What do we think about this set?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JT-O-Ring-Chain-12-39-Sprocket-Kit-for-Suzuki-LT230E-1987-1993-/331148569750?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d19fe2c96&vxp=mtr
It is a 12-39 with an O-ring chain.

 

Yeah, it took me a long time to decide which gears I liked best. I had 11,12,13,14 fronts and 36,37,39,41 backs. It all depends how much power you have, what kind of terrain you ride on and what your goals are.

Guys with bored-out engines with cams who rode in the midwest (flat land mostly) seemed to like 13/39, mainly because 39 and 41 were the only 2 sprockets easily found. Once one got enough power, the next step was to upgrade to a 13 front. I found a 36 back which let me run a 12 front for the same 1:3 ratio as the 13/39. Anyway, if you suddenly find yourself with a souped-up engine, you can easily add the 13 later for 10 bucks.

As far as the set is concerned, I like the steel sprockets and I think 84 links should be enough. Not totally sure, but if they say so, it's probably so. The price seems fair enough.

 

Finally getting around to swapping the gears, I think I am going to go with 13-41 for both quads.

Are case savers something worth installing as I swap the old ones out?
Does anyone know if my stock plastic front sprocket cover(s) will still install with a case-saver mounted?

 

I would never go without a case saver. Side covers on ebay go for $200 each and it's big business selling those things because they bust all the time due to chains coming off.

You have to ask yourself, do you feel lucky?

 

Case savers are worth the small price up front. I consider them essential equipment.

 

I am wondering though if a case saver for a 230S would fit on a 230E though.
I have a little plastic cover held on with 3 bolts that goes over my front sprocket area. Do 230S models have these too?