I recently went up from the stock 16-tooth front sprocket to a 17. I highly recommend it. It makes the gearing better for the open road. The bike is smoother and doesn't feel as busy at highway speeds. It's more long-legged but it's still easy to pull away from a stop, and the engine can still accelerate in 6th gear from about 42 mph on up. I should have done it as soon as I got the bike! Next is custom seat re-apholstering for better padding for my old ass. This bike is so close to ideal! No wonder it's the most popular bike in British motorcycle training schools. It's a joy to ride and own. Not too small, not too big, just right!
Does it do anything to the top speed? :icon_razz:
No... serious. You should find out and tell me.
Havn't tried a 17 tooth, but I dropped to a 15 tooth. I'm gunna grab a 14 tooth with the next order of stuff I get. Not worth it to me to bother ordering by itself, but if I'm already paying for shipping... :icon_twisted:
Top speed seems to be about the same.. it would go 105 with the 16-tooth and now goes the same speed at about 300 rpm less, but if I waited long enough who knows, but I don't like spending much time in excess of 100 mph. According to my local motorcycle repair shop (Big Ed's in Lackawanna, NY) 14-tooth front sprockets aren't available for this bike, only 15, 16, and 17.
Quote from: bill14224 on October 14, 2008, 08:59:14 AM
According to my local motorcycle repair shop (Big Ed's in Lackawanna, NY) 14-tooth front sprockets aren't available for this bike, only 15, 16, and 17.
Here's 13T and 14T front for GS:
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family_id=16780&mscssid=013E3662655FE47AF993D8F89F887679&Gift=False&GiftID=
Last set of sprockets and chain I got put on I put a 14 on the front and didn't like it. Left it on for a bit over 6 months before I replaced it with a 15 tooth. But thats mostly tyo do with the type of riding I do.
I've got a 17 and really like it. Top speed dependson many things, but mostly drag. Assuming we're a bit bigger and heavier than the test rider Suzuki used to get best gearing for top speed, its very likely our bikes will go a tad faster with slightly lower gearing....ie. a 17 tooth sprocket and in 5th gear! Plus you get the advantages Bill mentioned.
I could use a bit more "umph" off the line in 1st. I reckon I weigh a good bit more than the Suzuki test rider :laugh: Lots of hills and steep grades around here.
If I step the front sprocket down to a 15 tooth, will I need a shorter chain than the stock one?
prs
No, copied from one of my previous post:
I ran my 15/39T on my 97 GS with a std 110 link chain. A 14/39T can be run with either 110 or 108 links.
Center distances I've calculated lately:
16/39T and 110 link center distance is 25.679"
15/39T and 110 link centre distance is 25.827"
14/39T and 110 link center distance is 25.975"
14/42T and 110 link center distance is 25.473"
14/39T and 108 link center distance is 25.347"
13/39T and 108 link center distance is 25.494"
14/45T and 112 link center distance is 25.595"
Thanks!