250-500cc Gearing options for wr 300?

What have you done? My riding partner who has a ktm300 said he went to 52 tooth rear and it turned his 300 into a tractor where he leaves it in 3rd all day. We ride super tight technical stuff here in the NW and rarely get chances to open it up so loosing top end isnt to big a deal to me. Has anyone tried this on their 300? I was complaining about arm pump and how i needed the recluse, he recommended that as a cheaper option for now?

Other than that i am in love with the bike.

I just geared my 09 WR250 13 52 I figure there won't be many places in the woods that I can go 75mph but there will be lots of places I will need a tractor 1st gear and if I ride in 2nd through 5th I will never hit neutral by accident.

mine is 13/52 I managed 70.8mph the other day. Course the KTM 525 I was riding with did 82mph........