Chain me up

[Paul_E_D]

How long do chains last you guys??? I have made taffy of the chain on the 125 in just 5 hours of riding. I ride mostly in sand, but that still amazes me. I put an O-ring chain on my 200 and that seems to be holding up OK. I don't have an hour meter on that bike, but I must have 20 hours on it.

[ssg]

sand eats power = power eats chains, but 5 hours is serious WTF'age.

I buy the cheap rocky mountain atv O-ring units and get a season out of em with cleanings after every ride.


Just remember a 'season' was probably about 40 hours of riding on a good year. I've gotten 2 'seasons' out of my 450x chain cause it's been under a bike cover in the garage

[TTD]

Sounds like it was one of those super low friction MX chains that some 125 riders like to use.

I say go with a heavy duty O-ring chain... who cares about the 0.5 HP loss?

[highsider]

Sounds like it was one of those super low friction MX chains that some 125 riders like to use.

I say go with a heavy duty O-ring chain... who cares about the 0.5 HP loss?

[ChR1s]

I'm still using the stock chain on my YZ250. About 10 hours worth of hare scrambles on it. No problem. It's a DID! It will be replaced with an o-ring unit though. Again, DID. You WILL loose some power with an o-ring deal, and you can feel it.

[Tricky Mike]

Sounds like it was one of those super low friction MX chains that some 125 riders like to use.

I say go with a heavy duty O-ring chain... who cares about the 0.5 HP loss?

I have a Sidewinder on the 520 (which has quite the chain appetite).
They're a little pricey, but well worth it in my opinion.
http://sidewindersprockets.com

[Awesome]

whatever kates made me get is holding up great. The first one I got was junk after the first ride. You pay for it but it lasts.

[typeone]

I have a Sidewinder on the 520 (which has quite the chain appetite).
They're a little pricey, but well worth it in my opinion.
http://sidewindersprockets.com

+1. i was always happy with my Sidewinder setup on my CR125 in Florida sand. held up pretty well.

[KB]

Buy a Regina, steel sprockets and be good for a few years.

KB

[Paul_E_D]

Well, I bought a DID gold series non-oring. We'll see how it holds up. Those sidewiders better be MADE of gold at those prices! I can buy 3 DIDs for the price of one bottom of the line Krause. Is that really gonna last more than 3 times as long?

[Tricky Mike]

Well, I bought a DID gold series non-oring. We'll see how it holds up. Those sidewiders better be MADE of gold at those prices! I can buy 3 DIDs for the price of one bottom of the line Krause. Is that really gonna last more than 3 times as long?

Yeah, probably not 3 times longer than an O-ring chain, but I suspect you're going to wear out non O-ring chains pretty quickly in the sand even if you keep them really clean. I really don't know, though. I've only ever used O-ring chains.

[out thumped]

For me it is worth it not to have to be constantly adjusting a chain that streaches out all the time and eats my sprockets.
I went with a new Moose after I got 1000 miles or 60 hours out of the stock x-ring. I think the chain was still good, just did not want to run it on new cogs.
OT

[typeone]

i'd be curious how that Moose setup holds up. i was just looking at those in a catalog the other day. marketing pitch sounds real nice

[rebelpacket]

Paul, have you joined ktmtalk.com yet?

I got the OEM KTM Chain for 50$ for my 520SX. Its held up great.

[typeone]

Alex, did your SMR come with similar drive equip to my TC? that chain has been stretching like a mofo, taffy after every ride and i've been maintaining it really well. little tight on the last adjustment but its been stretching so fast i just ran with it.

i'm already out to the last two adjustment marks.

EDIT: Chris, does your stock TE chain stretch crazy fast?

[rebelpacket]

You've got a 520 right? I think they all come with the same chain. Mine stretched a bit, and then was fine. But we're talking totally different terrain too.

[typeone]

yeah, true. just curious 'cause none of my other dirty bikes chains stretched this quick.

no biggie, just curious. didn't plan to replace the chain so quick. if it keeps up at this pace it will only last the season. i've been using the manual rule to push up on the lower portion to the plastic guard but it always seems a little too tight. i'm going to try leaving it a little more loose the next few rides and see whats up.