Taller Gears or 6-Speed for M50?

[ertyqway]

Any advice on the best/cheapest way to up the gear ratios or get a sixth gear into a 2005 M50? Cruising at 80 not only uses lots of gas, but nearly vibrates the fillings out of my teeth. Plus, first gear is so low that it's almost useless.

[05HDRAM]

Were you honest with yourself when you chose the M ? It is a well know fact they are not geared very well for high speed cruising. The low first gear is great for local riding, and I would rather have that than more gear on the top end.

If you want better highway cruise, do a search on the DJ Mod. There is more info over on Volusia Riders forum.

Try this http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...97-dj-mod.html

[DawsonsCreek]

It would be great to have better highway cruising on the bike. I do a lot of commuting to and from work on the interstate (or will if I ever get off these crutches). But I don't know if its worth sacrificing the low end for. Ya know.

Though, if you're dead set on it, more power to you. $500 is way cheaper than buying a whole new bike

[NCxM50]

As previously mentioned, the DJ mod would seem to be the way to go. Volusiariders.com has a huge thread on it.
Personally, I ride 60 miles each way to work, and I don't have any issues with the bike at highway speeds. I avg 60-65mph, and it might seem like there should be that one last gear there sometimes, but I haven't had any issues with vibration up to and past 70/75mph. If the bike is "vibrating the fillings out of your teeth" I'd wonder if something else is wrong...

[Apertureguy]

MY bike runs great at 70 mph or above...while a 6th speed would be great for economy...I'm doing fine without it.

[amvince]

I regulary ride mine at 70-75 MPH and it does vibrate a little but not that much. You may want to make sure everything is right with the bike. Could be as simple as a tire problem but I sure would like a 6th gear I just don't want to give up the 1st 5.

[Copronymous]

Here you go...have fun!
VolusiaRiders.com :: View topic - Different rear drive ratio/highway cruising

[ertyqway]

Originally Posted by 05HDRAM

Were you honest with yourself when you chose the M ? It is a well know fact they are not geared very well for high speed cruising. The low first gear is great for local riding, and I would rather have that than more gear on the top end.

If you want better highway cruise, do a search on the DJ Mod. There is more info over on Volusia Riders forum.

Try this http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...97-dj-mod.html

05HDRAM,

I did a lot of research on this bike before I bought it, and it was not at all clear in any of the materials I found that it's geared to be an in-city bike only. I'm a 24/7/365 rider, and use my m50 primary for in-city commuting at speeds between 25 and 45 mph. At those speeds, it is fantastic. When I get on the freeway, however, the lack of a decent highway gear becomes a major liability. When I cruise with my buddies on their 450s, 650s and 750s, they are much more comfortable doing 75-80 than I am. It has nothing to do with engine size, and everything to do with gear ratios. The engine buzz on this thing at 80mph is really uncomfortable, and no, there's nothing otherwise wrong with wheels, tires, motor, transmission, you-name-it (I've checked). It's strictly a design flaw built in by Suzuki. I love everything about this motorcycle except that one thing (okay...maybe the stock seat ain't so great either).

So, it looks like I'll be dropping the $500 on a DJ Drive, since Suzuki can't figure out how to gear this bike stock for American roadway speeds.

[mrcandyman]

the thing is it does to highway speeds just fine, it's just revving higher than we would like. If you're getting a lot of vibration at that speed there is something wrong and you should have it looked at. I get VERY little vibration at any speed on my bike.

[JmalB]

I noticed the most vibes at around 65. And the M didn't get bad mileage for me on my trip from Tucson to Phoenix. 85mph most of the way.

[davecrash]

I've been doing alot of reading over the last few days over at the Volusariders forum on the DJ Drive. Looks like I'll be adding my name to that list. I don't need a bigger bike but dropping the revs abit at HWY speed would be nice. all those that have done it are saying it actually has more get up and go. If you want to do the drive He will even put it in for you.

[chiefriceburner]

I was just on a ride last night with two friend one has a honda gold wing the other a yamaha 1300 sport/touring we did some fast country riding and ended our ride with 30 min of highway speeds of 75-80 I had no problem keeping up and it ran very smooth as well, I also feel that at higer speeds when I give it the gas and I am able to pick up more speed very quick, as a side note I just recently added a hellcat shield/power commander/and vance&hines cruizers, and yes this made a big difference.

[NCxM50]

Originally Posted by ertyqway

it was not at all clear in any of the materials I found that it's geared to be an in-city bike only.

That might be the primary intent, but I think saying it was intended for in-city ONLY is stretching it quite a bit...

Originally Posted by ertyqway

It's strictly a design flaw built in by Suzuki.

Well, IF you're statement above was true, as you seem to think, then it wouldn't be a design flaw at all, would it? It would be "as intended"

Originally Posted by ertyqway

Suzuki can't figure out how to gear this bike stock for American roadway speeds.

Actually, car and motorcycle manufacturers have been gearing their vehicles for optimum highway cruising speeds between 55 and 65 for the better part of 40 years now. Which covers the vast vast vast majority of highway in the US. Just because you feel the need to speed doesn't mean manufacturers should change their designs. Can you imagine the lawsuits (especially in todays litigation happy world) if cars were designed for optimum speeds of 80mph? Manufacturers would be hammered by insurance companies, local and state government and individual citizens for "encouraging" people to speed.

[Breeze]

I absolutely love my DJ Drive. My first impression can be found here:


http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...tml#post376539

[bm50Chapin]

90-110mph across the entire state of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, ending up in Wyoming...... Averaged a speed of probably about 95mph the entire way... The bike did fine. No windshield was a little rough at time, but other than that, it was flawless.. QuiteYERB***** and ride that d*** thing.

[05HDRAM]

Originally Posted by davecrash

I've been doing alot of reading over the last few days over at the Volusariders forum on the DJ Drive. Looks like I'll be adding my name to that list. I don't need a bigger bike but dropping the revs abit at HWY speed would be nice. all those that have done it are saying it actually has more get up and go. If you want to do the drive He will even put it in for you.

I find it hard to believe the bottom end would get better with less gearing. There has to be give and take. If you are decreasing cruising rpms, you are loosing power down low.

My question about being honest with the bike is that the M is not built as a highway cruiser, it's an around town short jaunt bike. I find cruising at 70 to 80 mph is fine, but I don't ride at this speed for hours. Everyone makes different mods based on their preference, and I think the comment about spending more money to fix a Suzuki flaw is silly since the bike performs fine for it's intended purpose.

[davecrash]

I never called it a flaw and I'm not knocking the bike. just like some other people here I have noticed some vibration at hwy speed or trying to go to the next gear that isn't there, nothing i can't live with, but If somebody has made a mod that will improve that and I'm willing to spend the cash why not. I have been reading allot of posts from people that have already done it and it seems to be for the most part they believe it got better getting up to speed. If the gears are a little on the low side then going higher isn't going to bother it. it has the power. I haven't seen anything that states whether it's a HWY or city bike. it's a vehicle for where ever you want to drive it. change what ever you want, bars, seat, lights, etc. or leave it the way it is. that's up to each individual. this is a forum for people to share what they have found with others. it's up to you and I to determine what we want to take from it. All the compliants I see are from those that don't want to do it. so stop complianing and go ride.
Doing all this suff is half the fun for me. It's my personal ride

Dave

[Breeze]

+1

[05HDRAM]

Davecrash, I was not knocking anyone who wants to mod. I think that it was makes this forum so much fun and interesting.

I was a little annoyed when a first time poster %%%%%es about a great bike. I have always researched vehicles that I bought, and was well aware of the goods and bads. I searched here before I bought an M. My apologies to anyone who was offended.

[davecrash]

LOL, I didn't research the bike at all. I was out for a Saturday drive and just happened to pull into the dealer, saw the bike and loved it. It was the style I wanted. Now i will make it do what I want.
I added my name to the DJ drive list this morning, last night I was checking out E-bay(that's an evil place for me to be) and clicked "buy now" on the saddlemen explorer. When I got home tonight my Roho Airhawk was here, LOL.
Can anyone say compulsive buyer.....
I may have a slightly used Airhawk for sale in a few days.
I did do my research on the DJ drive and the Explorer, the Airhawk I got now as temp solution and if the Saddlemen gives me any problems I can slap it back on. I want to do a few trips this year. better safe then sorry. Now I'm done, or at least until something else good comes along.