250-500cc Gearing on 1999 WR 250

For my 1999 WR 250 I need to change the gearing. This year had the true wide ratio gear box. Stock gearing is 13 - 48. I currently have a 12 - 48 and its still too tall for the tight woods stuff I ride. If I stay with the 12 tooth counter, I'm considering changing the rear to a 52 or or 53 tooth. Has anyone with an older WR tried any combinations that you have found work well for tight woods riding?

Thanks

The best gearing option i came up with was 13-50 i even tryed 14-52 but the down side to that gearing was some times the chain caught the rear brake line. Hope this helps

Oneal - thanks for the reply. That 13 - 50 was on your 99'? What kind of riding do you do? My current gearing is a 12 - 48 which I believe works out to be lower than your 13 - 50, yet it is still a little tall for tight technical trail riding. I'd like to go back up to a 13 counter shaft since I believe the 12 is too tight, and am thinking of a 53 or even 54 on the rear.

Hi kevin, the type of riding we did on the 99 was every thing from tight single track to fire roads. And there seemed to be a gear for everything. I would have liked to have tryed 13 - 52 but i never to the chance due to bike bike being stolen.

if it's the wr 5 speed I run 13 52 and it's perfect, 2nd gear for most hills and makes the jump from 4th to 5th manageable

Well I have new sprockets on the way. 13 - 53 along with a new chain. There was a super deal on 53 tooth aluminum sprockets from Ferracci so I grabbed it. As long as I don't have interference issues with the 53 it should be the ticket for my tight woods. If I ever need taller gearing I have a new 14th counter sitting here I could swap out.