Go with the 14 tooth front sprocket!!! NOW!!!

[bassmechanicsz]

My bike came with the 15t sprocket on it which i was unaware of when i purchased it.  So i don't know what the 16t would act like but i also just changed the rear sprocket to a 40t this season and am happy with the way it performs. 

I couldn't see the 14t being to big of a change for me but that is probably because i started on the 15t sprocket.

[JB848]

With 16t I do 65MPH @ 4500RPM
With 15T I do 65MPH @ 5200RPM +

It's exactly what it should be. Mary get on the HWY you will notice it more.

Robert

[Toogoofy317]

Ahhh, I get it now that's why I had to kick up to 6th faster on I-4 today. Seems like it is good for in and around town riding though maybe it's just me

Mary

[JB848]

Ahhh, I get it now that's why I had to kick up to 6th faster on I-4 today. Seems like it is good for in and around town riding though maybe it's just me

Mary

Umm...couldn't have said it better myself! It is a dream for in and around town! I find myself taking off in 2nd gear a lot just out of laziness cause I can. But on the other hand I bet there is a wear spot on the top of the transmission in 6th gear cause I want another gear " A LOT" on the HWY.

[speedsix]

I just ordered a 14 tooth because I read this thread.  I will post when I get it installed what I think.  I do 95% in town riding so it sounds like it will be nice for my kind of riding.  I ride for fun and general errands not long commutes so a little more pep sounds like a good trade off for less top end and more RPM at a given speed.  Don't care about MPG that much, I am getting 55+ right now so even if it goes down a bit, it should still be good.  I might put 2K a year on a bike so MPG means nothing to me.

[redhenracing2]

With 16t I do 65MPH @ 4500RPM
With 15T I do 65MPH @ 5200RPM +

In what gear? Sixth? I can't imagine cruising at that low of an rpm. My bike wouldnt be able to do it for sure. I literally NEVER use 6th gear, and I only hit fifth if I'm doing 90-100 mph, but even then is a struggle so I usually don't. 4th gear is the highest I really ever go.

[Bridger]

That's becuz ur bike runs on one cylinder dude.......

[redhenracing2]

That's becuz ur bike runs on one cylinder dude.......

Be that as it may, do y'all really cruise at that low of an rpm on the highway? I keep mine between 7-9k at all times 

[joshr08]

im running 7k at 65mph

[HPI_Freak]

wow, i ordered a 14t sprocket from motorcycle-superstore 5 days ago, and they JUST sent me an email today notifying me that its been shipped! 4 days to ship?!?!?! wont order from them again.

[PaviSays]

Hmm, am I the only one who likes cruising around at lower RPM?  I'd rather be going 40mph in 6th at like 4k RMP than buzzing at high RPM in a lower gear.  Other than lower throttle response, what would be the downsides of doing this?

[HPI_Freak]

but from what i have noticed with my GS, cruising around at low RPM (like 4K or under) can actually be dangerous. if an obstacle were to suddenly cross your path and you need a burst of acceleration to aviod it, you wont have the power when you need it. this is mostly for city riding, and i like to cruise at low RPM as well, and ive been trying to break the habbit. i have avoided what could have been a very fatal accedent a couple times because i was able to accelerate to safty before being hit. the GS just doesnt have any low end power, im hoping this 14T sprocket will fix it, if not, oh well i can always switch back to the stock one.

[lonewolfpup911]

so if a 14 tooth makes it have more torque than will an 18 tooth have more top end

[Alphamazing]

so if a 14 tooth makes it have more torque than will an 18 tooth have more top end

A sprocket does not change the amount of power or torque the engine produces, it simply changes the way in which the power is delivered.

And because the GS is not that powerful, the 14T will actually net you the same, or possibly a higher top end speed. I clocked about 115 on the main straight of TWS with the 14T. That's about the same as the 16T. And 18T might make you go slower.

[lonewolfpup911]

ok thanks just wondering you got 115 with a 14 what was your top end with a 16?

[Alphamazing]

ok thanks just wondering you got 115 with a 14 what was your top end with a 16?

If I remember correctly, about 110 or 115. Not really sure, it's been a while. I didn't get many laps in when I was at TWS with the 16T on before I binned it in The Horseshoe.

[redhenracing2]

ok thanks just wondering you got 115 with a 14 what was your top end with a 16?

mine is stock with 16t, and I barely got it to hit 110 on about a mile long straight of interstate with about a 5% downhill grade. It was struggling, thats for sure.

[JB848]

Hmm, am I the only one who likes cruising around at lower RPM?  I'd rather be going 40mph in 6th at like 4k RMP than buzzing at high RPM in a lower gear.  Other than lower throttle response, what would be the downsides of doing this?

PaviSays I  am with you. I keep the RPMs down always. If I need the burst of speed its a down shift and throttle away? But I find that if you do cruise must of the time, you don't find yourself in those situations to begin with? Just a thought.

I have since changed back to the 16T and I prefer it much more to the 15T. Usually the manufacturer's nail the proper gear ratio for the HP of the bike and I think they did just fine on the "F" with 16T.

[Dr.Sparkie]

out on the highway I cruise at 7000rpm, always. That works out to around 120km/h (73ish miles an hour i think) less revs feels slow, and more revs starts to get whiney.
and around town i always keep the revs above 4500, just for that punchy feeling with the throttle.

and i hit 11k when i need to make a point, usually in place of the horn at a stoplight.

[speedsix]

I guess I am getting old because I don't know my top speed.  I had an 08 Suzuki V-Strom and I sold it without ever finding it's top speed either.  I went 120mph once but it was not topped out.  I have heard 140-150mph from other 650cc V-Strom owners.  I will have to take their word for it.

I had the GS500 up around 110 but it was not 100% topped out.  If I had more time and more road, I guess I could have squeezed 5-10 more MPH out of it.  To tell the truth, I don't really want to go over 100mph on it.  I have a 1994 so no fairing and my chain really needs a link taken out and adjusted. 

I just got an e-mail from Bike Bandit yesterday saying my order was shipped.  I ordered 4 days ago as well!  Not impressed so far with Bike Bandit.  I have ordered from Motorcycle Superstore and a few other places and they always shipped right out.  Must be something going around.  My 14T is supposed to be here on Friday so I should have it installed this weekend!