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? 

























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... 

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    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!