Best new drive chain option
 

I'm stumped and looking for advice � need to buy a new chain and sprocket kit for the Ten. Original has done just 13,500 (with a scottoiler), but the chain is now toast. I suspect it was the 1,500 miles in the rain the other week that finally killed it.

Anyway, I'm after advice from those who know the bike better than I do. Which is the best chain option. I've found a few (below), but suspect there may be other choices. I assume the OEM Regina is to be avoided given the mileage it's provided.

Tsubaki X-ring from www.bandcexpress.co.uk


or DID VX heavy duty (x-ring) from www.wemoto.com


or Izumi O-Ring from same place


As always, thanks in advance.

Lee

At 60.000km, I�m runnin� my third set of chain&sprockets, so that's an average of 20.000km. And this set is still good for more km's to come. And they are all OEM Yamaha sets, which is here in Holland DID(at least mine are!). All I do is clean it once a month and spray regularly(S100 white chain lube). The cush drive rubbers were replaced at the same intervals.
Greetz, Hans.

Thanks Hans

I've had a lot of people recommend DID chains, but also Tsubaki seem to get good comments from many too. The Regina chain that is on there at the moment was fine for a good 10,000 but it seemed to degrade quite quickly in the last few thousand miles. I've seen Afam chain and sprocket kits on ebay, and heard good things about their sprockets (not too sure about the chains though).

I always use D.I.D VX (or the older VM) chains on my bikes, and I'd also recommend a SuperSprox rear sprocket (steel teeth on an alloy inner ring), together with a steel front sprocket - Renthal are always a good brand for those...

Jx

Thanks Jenny � D.I.D. looking like the best option at the moment. What sort of mileage did you get from those chains?

It's hard to say as it depends on use - if you ride a lot in muddy or dusty/sandy conditions, obviously it will wear faster than if purely on road... people say fitting a scottoiler can significantly prolong the chain life (but I imagine that is when used mainly on the road), but I find that keeping the chain relatively clean and free of crud build-up, and lubing regularly (every couple of days when traveling) should see in excess of 12,000 miles, even in mixed on/off road conditions.

To give a other example - I fitted the combo I mention above for Heroes-Legend, and raced over 5000 miles to Dakar through the desert, only needing to adjust the chain once or maybe twice (we ran it without lube once we got to Morocco), and it was still perfectly good when I got back - only the chain plates had gone rusty being on the ship for three weeks... the sprockets are still on the Tenere and were barely worn - I've just fitted a new chain.

Jx

Finding out which rear Superspox and front sprocket is fun! And the chain to go with it! The sprockets say original so guess they are correct but chosing a chain is interesting....anyone know which one from the drop downs it is please or the equivalent DID one to fit

Thank you

Right, went with a D.I.D VX chain and a new set of sunstar sprockets � original front sprocket was quite hooked, rear didn't look too bad in honesty, but the chain was fubar'd I laid it out straight and could almost bend the tips around to touch each other in a circle.

New bits have transformed the ride � easy to fit too. Took a little over two hours, but much of that was spent cleaning out 14,000 miles worth of grime and chain lube from behind the original front sprocket.

Nice one thanks for the info ...did you find it rides smother and less vibey?

The Ten eats a lot of chains. I think it is the bad transmission damper which causes the sprocket to move side to side wearing the chain's O-rings and finally losing its lubrication from inside. I have never lengthened a chain on my Ten (in 90.000+km) to its limits, there are tight spots in it before it stretches too much.

In Holland a guy made room for a second bearing in the sprocket carrier which can be a good solution.

BTW, I always buy my chains (VX) sprockets combo's on ebay for less then 100 euro's