How long should a chain last on a 200 bhp superbike?

[BroadsRS6]

Does anyone change chains way before the recommended time? It may be my less than kind riding style and inherent riding laziness, but i've devoured the 1299 chain very quickly.

[BroadsRS6]

NB.
The sprocket at the front is 1 tooth less than standard, which makes the whole riding experience way better. But could that increase chain wear?

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Do you clean and lube it?

[Rubin215]

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

Do you clean and lube it?

Very much this.

I am a big fan of a properly set up Scotoiler; the difference it makes to chain life is incredible.

[Killboy]

I've gone through a well lubed and clean chain on a supermoto in 3k miles. It all depends what you are doing with it.

[BroadsRS6]

Clean and lube yes, for sure. No i'm not the most attentive rider where mechanical sympathy is king. But the chain is done in 4,000 miles.

[poo at Paul's]

I always bin mine first service and have a DID Gold race chain. I then replace every 5 years but i only do a few '000 mile in that time

[BroadsRS6]

Ok so what sort of mileage should the average litre bike get out of a chain, a basic average ball park figure?

[BroadsRS6]

Killboy said:

I've gone through a well lubed and clean chain on a supermoto in 3k miles. It all depends what you are doing with it.

Sounds like you were having fun!

[Unbusy]

So glad I’m a shaftie!

[spareparts]

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/deta...

[fastbikes76]

I’m on 3900 miles on original chain on my 2010 B-King, I’ve not touched it since buying the bike 8 months ago at 2200 miles. Chain hasn’t needed to be touched yet and is still correctly tensioned.

On the other hand the wife’s 2020 GSX-S 125 is on 3000 miles and the original chain is absolute toast !

[Dog Star]

My first R1 (2000 model) sold at 24k on original chain. Not really worn.

Current 2017 R1 at 12000 miles no appreciable wear, I only need to adjust it when the wheel has been taken off.

Current 1999 R1 has done about 10k on current gold DID chain replaced in 2003. Bike on 41k. No wear I’ve noticed.

I don’t use a Scottoiler but do clean then (WD or white spirit) and lube.

[Biker 1]

I had a CB650F a few years back from new. I clocked up over 13k miles before selling it - original chain & sprockets looked lke they had another 5k in them, even though I thrashed that bike.
KTM 690 Duke chain/sprockets were toast in under 10k miles.

[Biker 1]

I had a CB650F a few years back from new. I clocked up over 13k miles before selling it - original chain & sprockets looked like they had another 5k in them, even though I thrashed that bike.
KTM 690 Duke chain/sprockets were toast in under 10k miles.

[Steve Bass]

If it's the standard chain and not meticulously cleaned, lubed and tensioned a motor like a 1299 will punish it.
I've never had a decent chain DID X ring for example)last less than a year on the race bike running slicks.
The -1 on the front will exacerbate the wear as it makes some fundamental changes to the rear geometry of the chain pull. Better to go couple up at the rear instead although it costs more.....

[poo at Paul's]

BroadsRS6 said:

Clean and lube yes, for sure. No i'm not the most attentive rider where mechanical sympathy is king. But the chain is done in 4,000 miles.

How is it ‘done’?
Is it stretched, tight spots, rusty?

[Birky_41]

For road my Tuono which is circa 180 crank first one started going at 13,500 miles while on tour

Tell tale signs were constantly needing adjusting and tight spots

My current Tuono I changed it at 15,000 miles as it again was starting to show signs. Both sprockets were immaculate though (I still changed regardless)

I use wurth dry chain lube and pretty much every 150-200 mile ride give it a wipe over and lube

I also will use WD40 initially when I come back at times and leave overnight before putting the chain lube on

My track bike a gsxr 1000 I've done 3000 miles of which 1000 was road. I'll change it every 2 seasons so about 4000 miles end of this year

Depends on how hard you ride, how you maintain and if you're out a lot in rain etc

This is just my personal opinion

[Steve Bass]

Birky_41 said:

I also will use WD40 initially when I come back at times and leave overnight before putting the chain lube on

I think that's a good point. I always lube after a ride when the chain is warm, seems to allow it to penetrate better. Dates back to my 'back in the '80's' non O/X ring chains being warmed in a roasting pan in the oven and submerged in oil and hung up to drain. Yes, the bikes had way less power but the chain quality was worse but they lasted and lasted....

But once a tight spot appears, the chain seems to deteriorate very quickly from there....

[rodericb]

A big twin will go through chains at a bit of a rate due to the power pulses, I believe. Couple that with lubrication (or lack of) and you'll get through sprockets too. The last chain and sprocket set I replaced was on my old Laverda 750S(!) and it was losing teeth off the rear sprocket at 16,000km. I used to run it fairly dry and it had a aluminium rear sprocket.