Finally after waiting nearly 3 months I got my 16 toot sprocket. I don't think this makes the bike feel completely different as others have said. Having said that it is definately worth it to go to the 16t sprocket. The 2 areas of improvement I see are:
1) first gear isn't useless anymore. I can actually complete a turn before shifting to 2nd.
2) top speed is about the same but the engine sounds less "angry." Frankly I'm surprised at the difference in sound as it is only turning a few hundred rpm less.

It's all a matter if perception, I guess.
The two things you mentioned are exactly the things that made me say it DOES feel like a different bike.

:roll:

I got my new sprockets and chain Friday. I had hoped to get them installed but work and other things prevented that.

It migh be two or three weeks before I get to it. :sad:

Finally got my 16T in and it is a trip down memory lane!
 

I had new tires put on (the old ones were far too worn to be safely ridden), a carb clean (horribly dirty), a new plug (burned far too lean), a slight tune and the new sprocket. Awesome improvement! Much more fun and better handling/speed. I wanted to do each item individually to get a feel for each change, but I ran out of time and patience.

My trip down memory lane? The gearing ratio of the 16T on the GZ250 is an almost exact match with the stock 1968 VW Bug four-speed I learned to drive on! First gear gets me through the intersection, second takes up right up to a 30 mile per hour zone and then begs for an upshift, just to lug unless I creep up to 35. Third gear is now my go-to gear for most arterials and on-ramps with fourth handling everything up to highway speeds (65 MPH now is not a problem and I even had it up to 70). Fifth, which didn't exist on the VW, is truly an overdrive now, if I upshift into fifth, any change of condition requires an immediate downshift to do anything about it.

:2tup:
I tell you, once I get all the of the stuff repaired on this bike that were allowed to degrade under the former owner, you will have to pry my butt off that tractor seat with a crowbar!

-Bob - a happy camper!

Trouble with backorder of a 16T
 

I want to do this mod. However, I am concerned about previous posts that said people had trouble getting the part. Anybody had this problem recently? What is the best source as of today? - Bikebandit? sprocketspecialist?

Re: Trouble with backorder of a 16T
 

A good question, since I don't think it's been discussed for at least 6 months.
I'd try a local Zuki dealer first.
After that, the best source is anybody who's got them! :)

I'm not sure if it's in this thread, but somewhere someone found the suzuki 16t sproket. It was for a different bike but fits the GZ250 just fine. If you can find the part # you can take that to just about any suzuki dealer and order it. The JT sproket I believe was discontinued. Let us know if you find one.

I think I remember Jaime mentioning a Suzuki part number for the 16T sprocket. IF you can find that post, then go for it.

Jordan310 once claimed of a Suzuki part number for the 16T sprocket but never backed it up. I assume that this is same thing.

Jaime's posts are trustworthy.

Hey Jonathan I like your Dutch 'Bike Path' Sign avatar - makes me feel at home :tup:

Where are you from?