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Post by prodigit on Jul 6, 2013 3:04:55 GMT -5
The silver ones are basically the only ones sold right now.
If I'm correct only the 2012 models where goldenbrown, the 2013 models are silver.
I prefer brown,
Before 2012 there was silver and red. Not so fond of red.
I think in 2014 they will come out with yet another color (I presume red again), so if you want silver, better make sure you can get the '13 model while it's still in stock!
One level up from the TU250x, is the S40.
The S40 is 600+cc, single cylinder.
MPG isn't as good though, but looks are very similar.
I like the belt drive, but in order to change gear ratio on a belt drive, it's gonna cost about $1,5-$2k (yeah, you heard that right, about 1/3rd the price of the bike, to get 2 other belt discs installed)
The MPG's of the 650 is not very good, in the high sixties, but if they ever get a fuel injected version of it it could reach close to the 80's.
I like belt drive, but not when the gear ratio's are bad.
I like long gears, less shifting, higher final gear, gives a better cruise gear, for lower RPM while on the highway.
The engine is too big for the bike though. Many people said the S40 vibrates too much at high speeds.
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Post by gitsum on Jul 6, 2013 13:19:15 GMT -5
I like the belt drive, but in order to change gear ratio on a belt drive, it's gonna cost about $1,5-$2k (yeah, you heard that right, about 1/3rd the price of the bike, to get 2 other belt discs installed) I'm not going to bother to research this, but I can't possibly see why it would cost so much. They sell aftermarket belt pulleys for less than $50. Get a smaller rear and you only need one, no clearance issues. Buy the appropriate size drive belt and your done. If need be you could get your local speed/machine shop to fabricate one. Worst case scenario would be a couple of hundred bucks at most. |
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Post by domindart on Jul 6, 2013 15:12:32 GMT -5
I googled the S40 and didn't care for the more cruiser style. I like the standard retro style of the TU250x
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Post by prodigit on Jul 6, 2013 16:25:16 GMT -5
I like the belt drive, but in order to change gear ratio on a belt drive, it's gonna cost about $1,5-$2k (yeah, you heard that right, about 1/3rd the price of the bike, to get 2 other belt discs installed) I'm not going to bother to research this, but I can't possibly see why it would cost so much. They sell aftermarket belt pulleys for less than $50. Get a smaller rear and you only need one, no clearance issues. Buy the appropriate size drive belt and your done. If need be you could get your local speed/machine shop to fabricate one. Worst case scenario would be a couple of hundred bucks at most. They don't sell those type of pulleys. They use custom mounts, so they're expensive. most of them are real chrome pulleys. so they are expensive. you also need to find 2 pulleys, not one, to make sure the belt fits (increase the front my 3 ribs, and decrease the back by 1) |
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Post by scootnwinn on Jul 6, 2013 21:51:57 GMT -5
Apparently for about $100 the pulleys can be replaced with a chain and sprocket set on the S40. Check out an S40 forum a lot of guys do it. Be careful where you get your info
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Post by gitsum on Jul 6, 2013 22:27:54 GMT -5
They don't sell those type of pulleys. They use custom mounts, so they're expensive. most of them are real chrome pulleys. so they are expensive. you also need to find 2 pulleys, not one, to make sure the belt fits (increase the front my 3 ribs, and decrease the back by 1) , 5 seconds of google pulled up one for a Harley. www.denniskirk.com/80649731.sku?utm_source=shopping&utm_medium=cseYou could probably just adjust the rear axle on the swing arm to make the stock belt fit. You could get a bracket to extend the swing arm, or you could find a shorter belt with the same tooth spacing. I know these parts aren't growing on trees, but if need be you could easily fabricate something that will work. And while you won't be able to adjust the drive belt like a chain or have as many sizes available, you still don't have to replace the front pulley, just make sure it matches the new rear. There is nothing magical about the rear drive pulley. It is bolted on to the rear rim much like a disc brake rotor. Just like a custom disc brake rotor, a drive pulley could be fabricated or altered. It's not rocket science. If that sounds too complicated, then you could just switch to a chain drive like scootnwinn suggested. |
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Post by prodigit on Jul 7, 2013 0:59:17 GMT -5
A harley pulley may not fit a suzuki. Gotta be careful with just typing in 'pulleys'.
Another, it may be the exact same size as your current, thus useless.
Also, the rear pulley costs money, seeing that the front one (which is tiny) already costs 150 (compare that to a $35-$50 15-17T front sprocket, and a $50-75 36-46T rear sprocket.
The stock pulleys are cheaper; they usually fit the motorcycles that use the same mounting system.
But once you want to go out of stock specs, they're harder to get.
About changing to a sprocket, that would be a great idea! The S40, chain driven, you could do a lot of MPG mods on that one, especially because the chain is so much smaller than the belt.
Only issue I see is finding a good chain guard...
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Post by prodigit on Jul 7, 2013 1:03:36 GMT -5
I just received my 31T rear sprocket, and it's a tiny M'a'F'a!
I'll try to install it this week and see how riding goes!
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Post by prodigit on Jul 8, 2013 19:20:05 GMT -5
I'm just back from my first ride with my 31T sprocket. Here's what I found: The rev-range is pretty much perfect! Upshifting goes (in MPH GPS verified): 1-2nd gear: 10MPH 2-3: 20MPH 3-4: 30MPH The bike cruises most comfortable around 40MPH now. First gear acceleration is about on par with cars departing a bit on the fast side. Second gear is a bit on the slow side, but you can rev it up high if you need to accelerate fast. If not third gear is about the same as 4th gear with 40T sprocket. 4th gear cruises perfectly fine between 30-45MPH. After 45MPH acceleration goes very slow. Top speed has been reduced by 2 MPH compared to the 34T sprocket, and on the highway is really susceptible to winds and hills. For instance, normal top speed is 55MPH. Crotch rocket mode is 63MPH. Crotch Rocket Mode: To lean over the handlebars reducing wind drag:  Going downhill or behind a truck (which cuts the wind), it is possible to go 70+MPH (compared to 70MPH with a 34T). But unless you're tailgating a truck, you can not expect to get any faster than between 55MPH in 3rd or 4th gear, to 60MPH in 4th gear. I find no practical reason to go any lower than 34T on this bike, other than if you're lightweight, care about MPG a lot, and mainly live in areas with flat/level ground and no or little wind; and the majority of your roads are ~40-45MPH. Those are a lot of conditions to be met. It's much better to go with a 35 to 36T and have a bit of stability in the top end speed on the highway. Just probing if the averageguy actually tested the 36T yet? |
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Post by prodigit on Jul 9, 2013 4:12:13 GMT -5
As much as I loved the 34T, I've decided that i'll remain with the 31T, since I'm not planning on taking out my 125 on the highway too often anymore.
It's not a highway bike, and I notice I'm pushing it regardless of which sprocket I use.
It's a great bike, for going around town, etc. But on the highway I need something a bit faster.
So I decided to stay with the 31T, great gas mileage, great travel between 35-45MPH, excellent for the suburbs, still accelerates better than any tuned 4 stroke 50cc bike, but has better gas mileage, so it's a steal imho.
I'm selling off the 34T sprocket,
anyone interested, let me know.
$35 for the sprocket (because I need to use registered shipping),
$50 for both the 34T sprocket and the stock 40T sprocket in 1 shipping (you can't even get the 34T sprocket new delivered for $50).
Both sprockets are mildly used, the stock one for ~100-200 miles, the 34T for ~400-500 miles.
The stock sprocket is steel, the custom sprocket is hardened aluminum, guaranteed to last (under normal use) for at least 10 years they told me.
PM me if you're interested.
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Post by CopperDeer on Jul 10, 2013 0:15:32 GMT -5
Sounds like you made a good call deciding not to be pushing this bike to it's upper limits on speed / road choice.  The 31T coincides with that driving style and it sounds like you've got it tuned great now. Let's just see how it holds up and also I'm very curious to how the MPG will stack up over time. Keep me / us posted! |
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Post by prodigit on Jul 10, 2013 0:36:37 GMT -5
Too bad I'm working nightshifts nowadays, until the 16th, which does not allow me to ride around on it.
So it'll be a few more weeks until the new MPG numbers will start rolling in.
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Post by scootnwinn on Jul 10, 2013 1:00:23 GMT -5
Where did you find an aluminum sprocket guaranteed for 10 years? I would like to see that as I may someday put my GS1100 back on the road and it eats a chain and sprocket set in about 6 months. I would like to take advantage of a wild guarantee like that. Who knows maybe it even works. Is it limited by mileage?
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Post by averageguy on Jul 13, 2013 19:55:15 GMT -5
[replyingto=prodigit]prodigit[/replyingto]Well finally got the new sprocket on today. I had to make a run to the store and spend $  buy an impact socket set to get the darn thing off. Well at least I have it now... handy tools anyway and since I just recently bought an air compressor what the heck. I just took it for a short test drive but I can sure tell the difference. The gear shift points seem much better for sure and it still has plenty of get up and go. I'll try and ride it to work tomorrow morning and see how it goes. Attachments:
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Post by averageguy on Jul 13, 2013 19:57:04 GMT -5
My son assisting me... he thought the impact wrench was cool. Said he felt like he was official Nascar now. Attachments:
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buy an impact socket set to get the darn thing off. Well at least I have it now... handy tools anyway and since I just recently bought an air compressor what the heck.
