I want to add that the 17t keeps me from rowing the box as much as I did with the 18t. I rarely see much more than 5k rpm in 5th, unless I'm up over 90, but at speeds as low as 30-40, 5th pulls fine. If I'm going to have to stay below 50-60 for very long, I may drop to 4th, but don't have to. With the 18t, I dropped regularly.
I used to run boulevards with 35 mph limits in 2nd, but now a more relaxed 3rd pulls fine at lower revs.
Having gone from the 16 to the 18, and now back to the 17, I am totally adjusted to the fact that 5th over 70 mph is going to be pushing 5k revs, and glancing at the tach keeps me from "reaching" for 6th as much as I may have when I had the 16t. I know I still looked for 6th a lot with the 18t, but now I quit looking for it so much because she runs so well at 5k I just twist and smile. And hang on.
Like I said, you get used to whatever you have. It's all good. I am most impressed however, with the "non-effect" on fuel economy. I'm still hitting reserve at over 140 miles after fillup - no different than with the 18t. Just more grin factor, if that's possible.
