hi GS-Fans, good day
update: added two films with the xxl-gearing:
see the first one 2 mins
https://vimeo.com/67906142
five minutes cruising with xxl-geraring
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/10692199/gs500xxlgearing/
another 4 minutes driving on motorway with the xxl-gearing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taQLiIjIU3Y&feature=youtu.be
exposition: with the six-gear we have a superb set of technique. I really am happy with the great options we have with it.
the problem: My gripe with the stock 16-Tooth is that I have to upshift into 4th to equal the pace of traffic. There's rarely a situation where 3rd will do. Though I'm not against rapid upshifts, I started longing for some change that would give me a tad more distance to my gears. A taller sprocket seemed the easy answer - some allready did this: eg see the detailed story here http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21803.msg210981#msg210981 [ an excelent writeup ]
But i did not want to stop here: i wanted to do more... I wanted to tailor the gearing towards my needs...: Below some of my trials - see the ideas, and get some insights into the first results... And then share your ideas. Í would lvoe to see many many ppl talking bout their ideas, and experience.
btw: There are two ways to look at this change: by the numbers or by riding feel. Since Roberto (see below) has written some excel-sheets software for the calculation of the gearing I pretty well was able to look at both sides. See below:
What i did: now i am running the GS 500 with:
- 18 / 36 tooth sprockets: it fits well - no issues with the 18 t sprocket...
- 130/90 rear tyre
here some of my results:
Overall Impressions: i am very happy - the bike runs great
The Analytical Side: Replacing the 16-Tooth front sprocket with an 18 T sprocket has caused a fundamental change in the bike. As you would expect, the 18-Tooth sprocket has lowered the gear ratios (turns the rear wheel makes versus the transmission half-shaft ).
But i did not want to stop here: i wanted to do more... I wanted to tailor the gearing towards my needs...: so i changed the rear-sprocket and the tire too.
Subjective view: great performance; with overwelming effetcs on all kinds of roads - especially on freeways. Roll-on performance was probably worse, but unless you are scared of downshifting it's a non-issue. You could always hold it a gear lower if you wanted to, I just left it in 6th and immersed myself in the smooth silkiness of being able to cruise at 4500 rpm.
Fuel Mileage This evaluation needs many miles I've put on the sprocket and the tire so far. But one fact of physics is true -- the engine is turning about 1000 rpms fewer rpm's at the same speed with the stock-parts 16/39 and 130/70. So we can expect a mileage of 75 to 85 mpg.
Conclusion: i do not want to go back. but i have to get the consent of the local [governmental traffic] authorities! My style of riding runs on the touring side. I don't care to wheelie, and I like my tires to last as long as possible. If I want performance, I driop down a gear and the bike still scoots. Shifting feels smoother to me, and the engine runs slower for the same pace.
Additional infos: See the gearing table i have attached: - ( this shedule is derived from the gearing - calculator
http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Main/GearingCalculator - - you can download this great tool and claculate your gearing )
where i got the parts:
rear-sprocket:
http://kettenmax.de/kettenrad-36z-520-p-322.html
the part was very cheap 17 Euros...
Note: only some minor changes were needed: had to change the inner hole for 7mm to get from 80mm to 87mm...
front sprocket: from a sprocket expert - just round the corner of my home-town...
www.LS-MOTORRADTEILE.de
sieg@LS-MOTORRADTEILE.de
or muenning@ls-motorradteile.de
price:
sprocket with 17 tooth: 21,50 Euro /
sprocket with 17 tooth: 37,50 Euro /
plus shipping!
Questions: what were your experience with changing the gearing?
- by using other tires
- by using other sprockets - especially interesting here: who has used a 18 front sprocket?
please share your experience and share ideas! Add your ideas, thoughts and experience below. Share them with others...
Love to hear from you
greetings
lin
ps: see more links with interesting topics:
18-teeth front sprocket: manufacturer / store needed
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=57278.msg651191#msg651191
Topic: Adding a Tooth -- Going Up to a 17T Front Sprocket
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21803.msg210981#msg210981
[attachment deleted by admin]
Proof that a 'big change' is possible and the bike is still rideable. Perhaps even better. Good for you.
Please let the good people of the board know where you got the 18tooth front sprocket and 36tooth rear sprocket in case they want to buy them. Also, someone is going to ask you if they are aluminum or steel so you might as well answer that while you are at it.
:thumb:
Very cool breakdown of information. Thanks for posting it. If my GS ever becomes a commuter, this will definitely come in handy.
hmmmm .. 4500rpm you say .. that sounds attractive for the freeway !!!.. now no doubt there will be howls of protest from somewhere .. mainly cos there usually are!! ...
but dropping down a gear to regain some ZING!! .. whoodathunkit!! ..
i got a 130 rear .. but dunno the profile off top of my head...
i shall quite probably try this soon!... need a new chain and sprockets anyway ... i'm one of those riders that doesnt mind actually shifting all the way through the box .. and using pretty much all of the rev range too... which again will bring much tut tutting!! ... but i figure it like this... I know there is a max torque point and max hp point and 'everything beyond that is superflous' ... i just dont care to follow the theory ;) ..
if i one day break or blow an engine or bike bit cos of my 'twist it till it screams' approach .. i shall have enjoyed all of my time riding anyway!! ... it may seem a contradiction... the wish for freeway/low rpm and revving it to the max other times... but its location location location... happy to commute sedately... in the twisties and on the mountains though... all bets are off! :icon_twisted:
cheers lin!! :thumb: :thumb:
oh and second edit... i doubt the top speed will be much increased unless on a long straight downhill... the wind resistance vs engine power just wont let it work very well... i can actually get a higher road speed in 5th with stock gearing and using a higher rpm .. once you shift to 6th or unless you are really really tucked in (almost flat) the valiant little motor just hasnt got the guts to hold it up there.. :icon_rolleyes:
hi there
thx for the comments.
just a quick answer - i will answer more later the day...
where i got the parts: - all made of steel - no aluminium ....
rear-sprocket:
http://kettenmax.de/kettenrad-36z-520-p-322.html
the part was very cheap 17 Euros...
Note: only some minor changes were needed: had to change the inner hole for 7mm to get from 80mm to 87mm...
front sprocket: from a sprocket expert - just round the corner of my home-town...
www.LS-MOTORRADTEILE.de
sieg@LS-MOTORRADTEILE.de
or muenning@ls-motorradteile.de
price:
sprocket with 17 tooth: 21,50 Euro /
sprocket with 17 tooth: 37,50 Euro /
plus shipping!
Questions: did anybody of you ever tried out a /the 18 tooth sprocket...!?
love to hear from you....
i will give you more reports later the day
That's great info Lin, thanks.
Lin, I am glad to see that you finally got your gearing where you wanted it to be. As you may remember, I have been running 18/37 for nearly 2 years now and like it very much. My original rear tyre is soon due to be replaced and I thought that I might go to 140/70 with the replacement. This will give me another small step-up in the gearing, but not too much. For me I think that 18/36 and 130/90 would be too tall for my riding needs. As I have said before, I like the difference in feel. The bike is much more relaxed. Chain and sprocket wear is still not noticeable after 8000km on these sprockets.
Enjoy.
Macka :thumb:
Quote from: lin on May 05, 2013, 11:33:41 PM
....
front sprocket: from a sprocket expert - just round the corner of my home-town...
www.LS-MOTORRADTEILE.de
sieg@LS-MOTORRADTEILE.de
or muenning@ls-motorradteile.de
price:
sprocket with 17 tooth: 21,50 Euro /
sprocket with 18 tooth: 37,50 Euro /
plus shipping!
Hi lin :cheers:
that are the sprockets for Gs from 94 up
the sprocket for the Gs build from 89-93 are available from jt sprockets JTF565
for example
17T http://www.ebay.de/itm/Ritzel-17Z-Teilung-520-Suzuki-GS-500-E-EU-NEU-/330874342885?pt=Motorrad_Kraftradteile&hash=item4d09a5cde5
18T http://www.ebay.de/itm/Ritzel-18Z-Teilung-520-Suzuki-GS-500-E-EU-NEU-/330874337869?pt=Motorrad_Kraftradteile&hash=item4d09a5ba4d
hi Prmas hello Mezzo
thx for the reply _ great to hear from you!
@ Metto: you are right: We have different types of sprockets - i reffered to the version that fits in 94er types
(http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/Sprockets.jpg)
this one has a shoulder
you refer to the older type which available much easier.
Thanks for the reminder!
greetings
lin
ps this links might be interesting:
http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/Sprockets.jpg
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=13703.0
Sorry to take so long to get back to you Lin but I have not ridden the GS for nearly two months as I have been busy with other stuff and the weather has been a little unkind recently so I use the Honda as it gives me a lot better protection from the rain. I have recently recalibrated my speedo to eliminate the 10% error and today was my first ride since the adjustment. I am pretty happy with the result. As expected, the mechanical speedo is not truely linear in its display. The % error did vary slightly with speed before and it still does now too. From today's ride with my present setup of 18/37 and 85% worn stock tyres (at 14,500km)I can tell you what I now have.
At an indicated: 40kph 50kph 60kph 70kph 80kph 90kph 100kph 110kph
I have a true: 43kph 53kph 61/62kph 71kph 81kph 90kph 98/99kph 107/108kph
At revs: 3700rpm 4600rpm (6th gear)
I was unable to take accurate note of revs at other speeds due to the nature of the roads today (very twisty) but you can make a reasonable estimate from the 100kph figure. I am happy with the gearing as is but as I am due for a new rear tyre I will go up 1 size only to 140/70/17. I will probably fit a Michelin Pilot Active as I have those on my Honda which is much heavier and a little more powerful but after 11,oookm the rear one is no more than 1/2 worn, they feel good and the grip level is good too although I have had the back end step sideways in the wet a couple of times.
:cheers:
Macka (Prmas)
Going from a 16 to an 18 front sprocket would not "lower" the gear ratios...it would raise the the gear ratio........i.e. "sixth gear is a "higher gear" than 5th gear....1st gear is "low gear"
85 MPG from a GS500 by merely changing gears and tire??? Hmmmmm.......
Good luck...keep us informed!
Cookie
Quote from: lin on May 05, 2013, 05:20:50 PM
hi GS-Fans, good day
here some of my results:
Overall Impressions: i am very happy - the bike runs great
The Analytical Side: Replacing the 16-Tooth front sprocket with an 18 T sprocket has caused a fundamental change in the bike. As you would expect, the 18-Tooth sprocket has lowered the gear ratios (turns the rear wheel makes versus the transmission half-shaft ).
But i did not want to stop here: i wanted to do more... I wanted to tailor the gearing towards my needs...: so i changed the rear-sprocket and the tire too.
Fuel Mileage This evaluation needs many miles I've put on the sprocket and the tire so far. But one fact of physics is true -- the engine is turning about 1000 rpms fewer rpm's at the same speed with the stock-parts 16/39 and 130/70. So we can expect a mileage of 75 to 85 mpg.
front sprocket: from a sprocket expert - just round the corner of my home-town...
Questions: what were your experience with changing the gearing?
- by using other tires
- by using other sprockets - especially interesting here: who has used a 18 front sprocket?
please share your experience and share ideas! Add your ideas, thoughts and experience below. Share them with others...
Love to hear from you
greetings
lin
ps: see more links with interesting topics:
18-teeth front sprocket: manufacturer / store needed
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=57278.msg651191#msg651191
Topic: Adding a Tooth -- Going Up to a 17T Front Sprocket
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21803.msg210981#msg210981
Point taken but remember that English is not Lin's first language. Give him a little slack. Most of us knew what he meant.
Sure...we all knew what he meant......But I just corrected the terminology....Jeeeze lighten up!
But it is the 85 MPG part that I really take issue with.....Or was that a "language" issue too?
Does anybody out there, in any language, really think that you are gonna get a 50% increase in mileage just by changing gears and tires???
Hmmmmmmmm....
Cookie
Quote from: prmas on June 08, 2013, 06:50:04 PM
Point taken but remember that English is not Lin's first language. Give him a little slack. Most of us knew what he meant.
Nah ... No way.... Not just by gears and tyres.... Gonna have to be a careful and conscientious rider and be easy with the throttle too!! :thumb:
Which will rule me out ... Even after I do this sprocket change thing ;)
Lin is in Germany........ so are we using Miles per imperial gallon or miles per US gallon here :dunno_black:
That's a good point sledge :thumb: ...
But ... And I'm not trying to argue the point with you.. Whichever value of gallon is used... If before he was getting 55bananas to the gorilla ... And after changing the stuff he was getting 75 bananas to the gorilla .. And hoping for 85 .... Then whichever value for gallon/litre/bucket was originally used .. So long as that value is used for the 'after' also ... Then it's an improvement ?? ...
:cheers:
My '07 was my take on a solo lightweight Touring Bike, I went plus one on the pilots, mains and the CSS. That put my bike into the condition I felt it should have been from the factory. With the jetting change you could now twist the grip and it did what your hand told it, and with the gearing change I didn't feel the need to shift into the non existent 7th gear. If I didn't live in a state with so many mountain passes that are always included on my weekend trips, I could probably get away with using an 18T CSS :dunno_black:
My best mileage ever was 69.8 Mpg (USA) with fatter jets and a 17T CSS. People have tried to call BS on my Mpg figure...If your smarter than the right grip your twisting and shift below 5,000 Rpm, it can be done :thumb:
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/mcamp03.jpg)
I've averaged 60-65 mpg on my 97 and 02 GSs for 14 years and 175k miles and both were with stock carbs all the way. Almost all with a 16T CSS on the 02 but for about half of the 80k miles on the 97 I used a 15T.
I do recall about 10 years ago when I was riding the 97 with a conservative cruiser friend I was getting close to 70 mpg most of the time. I decided to go for 300 miles on a tank full one day and made it with a couple tenths left, luckily there was a station near at the 300 mi point. The 97 had the 4.5 gal tank.
I can believe an economy geared GS cold reach 80 mpg or so depending on the economy riding skills of the rider. Not for me though, as previously stated I like the GS with factory gearing having a good mix of economy and performance. I don't ride for economy, I ride for fun.
Quote from: gsJack on June 09, 2013, 08:03:26 AMI can believe an economy geared GS cold reach 80 mpg or so depending on the economy riding skills of the rider.
Tall gearing is no guarantee to better mileage, in fact in the
wrong right hand, it can hinder mileage over OEM gearing. To get anything over 75 Mpg, I believe a well trained right hand, taller gearing
and AERODYNAMICS will have to come into play :dunno_black:
And...you will definitely have to be a Flatlander :whisper:
hi thx for the replies
sure - the mileage is quite a thing that remains an interesting topic.
btw added two films with the xxl-gearing:
2 mins
https://vimeo.com/67906142
five minutes cruising with xxl-geraring
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/10692199/gs500xxlgearing/
another 4 minutes driving on motorway with the xxl-gearing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taQLiIjIU3Y&feature=youtu.be
exposition: [/b ]with the six-gear we have a superb set of technique. I really am happy with the great options we have with it.
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