ok I know this topic has been beaten to death.

[rspector]

I just bought an 05 bandit 1200, now, I have to say that i would like it to be a little snappier at the low end, so i go down 1 tooth in the front and that would probably satify me, now with that said, can some one tell me how that effects your gas milage on a long trip I . e over 200 miles, also does the yellow speedo box actually work for calibrating your speedo and tach, and how hard it is to install. I hear alot of people saying if you are going to change the stock gear ratios you might at as well go 1 tooth in the front, and 3 teeth in the back, also how does that effect gas milage  on the highway, I mean i love speed but i don't want to be getting 20 miles to the gallon while i'm going 70 either
 thanks
 Rob

[kedeg_97B12]

I have a 1st generation which gets worse mileage than the 2nd gen. I get 33-37 on the interstate with a 14-45 ratio. I also weigh 310lbs and act like a sail in the wind. It only raises the rpm by about 750-800 rpms.


One tooth up front is equal to three teeth in the rear.
Keith

[97 bandit]

310lbs?  

[kedeg_97B12]

Yes mom I know. Someone once said that the 1216 made them feel like they lost a hundred pounds over night. I agree. So now I can eat what I want.

[Desolation Angel]

Yes mom I know. Someone once said that the 1216 made them feel like they lost a hundred pounds over night. I agree. So now I can eat what I want.

I admire a man who can find the bright side in things!

[kiley]

Do you have to change the chain if you go down a tooth in the front?
Kiley

[ray nielsen]

Dropping a tooth in the front will probably shorten chain life a little bit.  

I've seen engineering reports on chains that said the MINIMUM sprocket size should be limited to 17 teeth.  

I've changed my front sprocket to a 16 tooth, did that almost right away after buying the bike.  I wanted to lower the RPM for highway cruising, which it did.  A byproduct is a more accurate speedometer and a less accurate odometer.  

Apparently they can't be made to agree -- probably some arcane Japanese engineering behind that decision.

[jeepskate99]

Actually it more than likely from the bikes being engineered for the metric system and sae at the same time.  That's the problem with automotive applications.

[Red01]

If it was a glitch in their conversion from kilometers to miles, both would be off the same percentage. They are not. Also, bikes in metric counties have the same issue of optimistic speedos and more accurate odometers.

It is intentional and commonplace, not just with Suzukis, either. Some countries put stiff penalties on manufacturers if the speedo reads slower than actual speed, having operators unknowingly speed. So, they hedge their bet by making it read faster than actual speed and do a damn good job of making the odometer accurate - usually within 1%.

To answer kiley's Q - yes, you can drop a tooth up front with no change to the chain. Given, of course, to a chain in decent shape. If it's worn to the point it's near the end of the adjustment range, you probably can't. But then if the chain is that bad, it should be replaced along with the sprockets.

[KX5000]

Why would gear changes affect the speedo? isn't the speedo driven by the front wheel? It is on my bike, did they change this on the 2nd gen?

[kedeg_97B12]

Why would gear changes affect the speedo? isn't the speedo driven by the front wheel? It is on my bike, did they change this on the 2nd gen?

Yes, they did change it for 2001 and up.

[Red01]

Yup, the 2G gets an electronic signal from the countershaft sprocket for the speedo.