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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: tristantumble on July 22, 2007, 07:24:49 PM

Title: weak first gear?
Post by: tristantumble on July 22, 2007, 07:24:49 PM
is it normal that first gear dosn't really pull/sort of weak? how do u guys find it. mine is an 04.....stock.
Title: Re: weak first gear?
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 22, 2007, 07:32:31 PM
define "weak"... has it recently gone weak, or is this just a general dissatisfaction with the acceleration of the bike. It's not a gixxer, it won't pull like one. Depending on your riding experience, I'd say go to a 15t or 14t (not for a beginner) front sprocket.
Title: Re: weak first gear?
Post by: frankieG on July 22, 2007, 07:37:16 PM
mine actually surprised me how powerful it is compared to my 89 or the 01 i had before.  nothing like my 1000cc bikes i had before but still mildly surprising, in a good way, than i expected.
Title: Re: weak first gear?
Post by: CndnMax on July 22, 2007, 07:42:41 PM
1st gear pulls but it doesn't take long b4 you reach the red line, not like the litter bikes that can go 60 in 1st. when ever i feel like opening her up i usually wait till i shift to 2nd then open her up.
Title: Re: weak first gear?
Post by: tristantumble on July 22, 2007, 08:51:37 PM
i think its been like that since i've had it. I'm still new, but have gained confidence and have been trying to let er rip. So do you recomend taking it all the way to the red?
Title: Re: weak first gear?
Post by: CndnMax on July 22, 2007, 09:00:15 PM
no i wouldn't go all the way to the red, try 2nd gear  :thumb:
Title: Re: weak first gear?
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 22, 2007, 09:10:50 PM
If you want acceleration, shift at about 8.5-9K, no power develops beyond that. If you're still new (how many miles?) don't change the gearing just yet.
Title: Re: weak first gear?
Post by: mach1 on July 22, 2007, 10:53:02 PM
I take my bike to redline in the first three gears every now and again but only on the freeway, It sounds beautiful.
Title: Re: weak first gear?
Post by: pbureau69 on July 23, 2007, 01:39:18 AM
Quote from: mach1 on July 22, 2007, 10:53:02 PM
I take my bike to redline in the first three gears every now and again but only on the freeway, It sounds beautiful.

yep.... HuuuuuuuuBRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA....

shift 6-7K for daily drive, 8-9 for sportriding.... but make sure you break in your bike in properly first.
Title: Re: weak first gear?
Post by: mach1 on July 23, 2007, 06:02:38 AM
+1. I got lucky and didnt need to break in my bike.
Title: Re: weak first gear?
Post by: nastynate6695 on July 23, 2007, 07:31:03 AM
Yea the gs isnt known for its first gear performance.  its very boggy or putty around the beggining of that powerband.  Like they said before you can drop a tooth up front and change the gear ratio up...but just be aware that if you do decide to do this that you have to relearn how to ride the bike all over again. good luck
Title: Re: weak first gear?
Post by: Crucialval on July 23, 2007, 11:27:53 AM
I replaced my front sprocket shortly after haveing my bike. It' way quicker but higher RPMs on the highway, chosseing gears is a little different. but overall I love it. Jetting the carbs has done the most to bring up my first gear.