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[PeteF]

Just out of interest here are the available options. The pre-euro4 bikes had the 38 tooth rear sprocket as standard as well, but this can now easily be changed to 36. If I change the rear it will cost more of course but I could then use the same chain and I don't need to open the engine. I'm thinking I will change the rear sprocket first to 36 and see how I go. This will bring the ratio to (almost) the same as the pre-euro 4.
Front, Rear, Ratio.
17 38 2.235294118
18 38 2.111111111
19 38 2
20 38 1.9
17 36 2.117647059
18 36 2
19 36 1.894736842
20 36 1.8

[PeteF]

That hasn't formatted properly but you can see what I mean.

[PeteF]

So, in the end I put on a 19 tooth front sprocket. It still pulls away at tickover, chunters along at 30 in top gear and is much more relaxed at 50/60. The chain fitted OK as well.
Result!

[RoSy]

I live in a hilly area and my Euro 4 C5 does struggle on some of the hills with standard gearing, I'm in the process of changing my old 500 back to STD gearing for the same reason. I don't do much motorway riding so over gearing is a bit pointless, I much prefer a flexible engine, saves on having to slip the clutch on the twisty hills. I once geared up a Versys 650 by one tooth and it just killed the engine for flexibility.

[PeteF]

Well RoSy, we must ride very differently I suppose (and that's fine of course) but the new gearing suits me.
I find that being in the "toque band" rather than the "power band" suits me better.
I'm not particularly interested in rapid acceleration or the highest possible top speed.
OK so I have to change down a bit more on hilly stuff but not annoyingly so.