Suzuki SV650 Riders Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Real-world gas mileage effects when changing sprocket sizes (?)

Jump to Latest
7.8K views 53 replies 25 participants last post by  inflex  
#1 ·
I was just wondering if anybody here has changed their sprockets to achieve shorter/taller gearing and if they have noticed a big difference in gas mileage as a result.

My '06 was getting 33mpg consistently with stock gearing. With the 14t front sprocket, I got 28mpg the last time I filled up.

Sure, my gas mileage is terrible if you compare it to what others claim to get on their SVs, but the important thing to note is that I lost 5mpg with the loss of one tooth up front.

What are your observations for those of you who have changed sprockets?
 
#28 ·
MorganB said:
You know what I think? All the people who claim to get anywhere near 50mpg are either too stupid to do the math correctly, weigh under 80lbs, ride under 3,000rpms, or some combination of all of the above.

That's what I think.
Click to expand...
My 2002 with jets and desnorkled got mid 40's.

After I put on a full system, race filter, cams, BIG jets and 14 tooth sprocket I still got high 30's or low 40's.
And as you know I do not weigh 80lbs nor do I ever ride under 3,000 RPM's ;)
 
#29 ·
Turd Ferguson said:
I'm a fatass. Bike is a naked. I went up 2 teeth in the back. I'm running pods with 215/220 mains. Please don't make me calculate it out. And I ride it like a grandma (I ride it like your grandma, fast, hard, lots of wrist action, and burning rubber). :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
My grandma is gonna kick your a**, boy! Nexus242
 
#32 ·
MorganB said:
You know what I think? All the people who claim to get anywhere near 50mpg are either too stupid to do the math correctly, weigh under 80lbs, ride under 3,000rpms, or some combination of all of the above.

That's what I think.
Click to expand...
I may not be smarter than most people here (then again, I might be).

I do work at NASA Goddard building spacecraft (but we have made mathematical mistakes, contrary to the Transformers movie).

I'm in shape, not under weight (I am a Marine, afterall).

My vision isn't perfect (I do wear contacts), but I can see that on the highways, my RPM reading is between 5.5k and 6.5k, depending on speed.

On average, I get about 42mpg. At a steady 75mph on slab, I do get nearly 50mpg.

Let's see....Distance traveled / volume fuel introduce (used) = mpg, right?

Am I stupid? (I think not.)



Then again, I'm a very mature rider, and I don't go WOT any chance that I get.
 
T
#35 ·
Riding in the moutains near the Dragons Tail, I get between 54-59 mpg.
Many times my wife will ride on back, we still get about 50 mpg,
Engine revs/gearing choice does obviously affect your mileage.
But, load on the engine is THE MAIN factor. More load=more fuel needed.
And aerodynamics affect load alot.
My bike is an 03, with an M4 pipe and a F-15 windshield (helps alot).
 
#36 ·
How you ride is, IMO, the main factor. Frinstance, on the few occasions I've carried a pillion I've got good mileage despite the the weight and aerodynamic impact since I ride so much more conservatively. In winter, I'll get 40-45 most of the time, in summer often 25-35, just because I don't attack corners in the same way. I could easily get more, but I'd sooner ride in a way that I find more enjoyable, and have a 15% higher fuel bill, personally.

It's good to know how to really sip fuel, though, for those times when you get stuck in teh middle of nowhere with a flashing fuel light :thumbsup:
 
#38 ·
I am kinda wondering about whether going up or down would change much for me on my typical commute. as I average between 40 and 60, I am usually between gears 4 and 6, rarely 6th, so going down to 14/44 would make it so I am in 6th more, which might increase milage, and 16/44 would make it so I am rarely in 6th at all, cause I dont like cruising below 4krpm really, it shakes too much for me. so maybe going down would end up with the same or similar gas milage and also lots of fun as well if I tap into it, which is kinda how I want my bike to me. if 14/44 gives easier power wheelies below 30mph then thats great as well. but 16/44 would give a taller 1st gear for acceleration (ss bikes dont shift by 60mph so there 0-60 is better because of that, wonder what ours would do if 1st was geared to 60 or 62mph.... edit: nevermind, that would be a 16/32 combo and I doubt it would accelerate all that well.....)
 
#39 ·
I don't like dropping teeth on the front sprocket. It puts more wear on the chain and more pressure on your coutershaft.

I prefer increasing teeth on the rear, less dramatic of change. One tooth down on the front is about four teeth up on the rear. Instead I like to go up one or two teeth on the rear for optimum results! :D

dp
 
#47 ·
#49 ·
#50 ·
and without helmet as well, but I guess with all of donnie's hair, he might almost get to a DOT approval. but I wonder if the air resistance from it causes less gasmilage? (ooops, sorry, did i interject an ontopic comment here?)
 
Suzuki SV650 Riders Forum
posts
2.5M
members
80K
Since
2002
A forum community dedicated to Suzuki SV650 owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, racing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Motorcycle Talk Off Topic Riders Lounge SV Modifications and General Maintenance SV650 Gen2 (03-15) Tech SV650 Gen1 (99-02) Tech