SPROCKETS!!

[Big Rhino]

Ok so i ve been doing some research about getting a smaller front sprocket and just wanted some first hand experience of what they are like?? in terms of of the line acceleration and also how it affects top end speed?? what would be the best size i.e 15t or 14t etc??

[fraze11]

http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Sprocket

[Big Rhino]

yea i ve read all that, just wanted to know what people actually think of putting a smaller sprocket on

[Suzuki Stevo]

-1 is great for intown, +1 is good for the open road, I went +1 and used the 6-speed gearbox a little less, 5th gear with +1 is about the same RPM as the OEM gearing in 6th

[tt_four]

I've had different sprocket setups on the GS, and other bikes. I usually always gear my bikes down a little. I hate the highway and try to avoid it as much as I can anyway, so I get more use out of the torque. I had a 47 or 49t rear sprocket on the GS, and the front was one or two smaller. It was geared super low, once I hit 45mph the rpms were too high in 6th gear haha. It was fun though, but not a long term solution.

There's no real answer, everyone always wants more pull on the bottom end AND more comfortable cruising RPMs, you've just gotta decide which one you really want more. Ride your bike and really think about it, if you want first gear to pull more, and how much top speed you're willing to give up. Even if you don't go 115mph and think you don't need it geared that high, it also affects the rpm range when you're cruising on the highway at 65mph. Try going for a short highway ride and leave it in 5th gear instead of 6th, and see what it's like to have the rpms higher.

[Big Rhino]

yea i prefer around town riding so i think i want more torque and can give up the little bit of high end speed.
Thanks guys

[ohgood]

-1 is great for intown, +1 is good for the open road, I went +1 and used the 6-speed gearbox a little less, 5th gear with +1 is about the same RPM as the OEM gearing in 6th

very good ^^^

i really enjoyed the -1 up front for commuting. after you're out of 1st gear you won't notice the gearing change at all until you're at cruising (6th gear) speed and the revs are what... 500 or 800rpm higher at 65 ?

you may find that a -1 change will yield better fuel economy if you mostly ride in town (under 65).

ymmv 

[Kijona]

I know it's almost like comparing apples to oranges but...I went +1 on my KLR650's front sprocket. I really couldn't tell any difference in acceleration but I did, however, notice a marked improvement on the highway, and my KLR had one less gear than the GS500's do.

Personally, the GS is already somewhat of a slow-poke, so making it slightly slower off the line you won't really notice. I think if you do a bunch of highway riding you'd be more comfortable with a +1.

[Big Rhino]

I definitely want more off the line, so -1 is for me i think.

[Suzuki Stevo]

I have a  JTF512-15 (-1T) that fits 1994 to current it has about an hour of use on it, FREE to anybody in the greater Seattle area.

[Toogoofy317]

Hey Stevo! I'll take that sprocket. I've got a 15JT already on mine but got about 10,000 on it. Let me know.

Mary

[SAFE-T]

1st gear as is on the GS500 is pretty useless ~ I actually preferred a +1 sprocket up front so you could actually stay in 1st gear a little longer, instead of having to shift before you even got across the intersection

[Suzuki Stevo]

Hey Stevo! I'll take that sprocket. I've got a 15JT already on mine but got about 10,000 on it. Let me know.

Mary

Sorry, I was just going to give it to somebody local, it would probably be easier for you to pick one up in your state, rather than ride up here from FL to pick up mine (yeah, I am not shipping it anywhere)

Stevo in Seatto

[Toogoofy317]

Oh, kinda hard to know. your local isn't in your profile.

Mary

[Suzuki Stevo]

I have a  JTF512-15 (-1T) that fits 1994 to current it has about an hour of use on it, FREE to anybody in the greater Seattle area.

Seattle is there 
I still love you just the same, what nobody knows is my age 

[Big Rhino]

so another quick question, will i need a smaller chain if i put a 15t on??

[gsJack]

No, stock 110 link chain works with 15T front.

[Kijona]

Well, in all honesty, what have you got to lose? Just buy a 15t, throw it on, tighten the chain back up and go! If you decide you don't like it, it's not as if you can't undo it!

I bought JT sprockets for my 07 and they're really good - especially for the money. If you have a sub 94 model (93 or older), you can get one for like 10 bucks on bikebandit. I think the newer (94+) are like 12-14 dollars, depending. I know I got my 16 tooth for 11.95.

Plus, if you decide you don't like it you can always sell it on here for almost as much as you paid and give someone a good deal on it.

[Big Rhino]

yea very true, ill put one on and see how it goes.
thanks for the advice guys

[Big Rhino]

i went down to my bike shop and bought one for 16 dollars, so cheap as. put it on and went for a ride, still deciding whether i like it or not. it just seems to rev through a lot quicker, and as for top end its almost unchanged, maybe about 300 rpm. and my chain is as tight as it can go, it was already pretty stretched, so i think i might just buy a 109 link and new back sprocket so its correct.