the gear ratio change has been a great improvement for me. Basically at 32 mph with the stock gears, my grande sounded like it was going working way too hard. Now it cruises comfortably at that speed and beyond. I felt like the gearing was quite a limiting factor in my top speed before but now no longer. I think i can go higher comfortably now (which is why i'm getting the 65 cc kit and simonini pipe).
The way it is now is fine with three 8.5 gs and three 4.7 g weights mixed in the multivar with stock...I get good acceleration (about what I had stock) with about a 38-40 mph top speed. At this top speed, I feel like I could go faster with more power.