How long should a chain last on a 200 bhp superbike?
Discussion
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 !
On the other hand the wife’s 2020 GSX-S 125 is on 3000 miles and the original chain is absolute toast !
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.
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.
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.....
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.....
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
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
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....
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.
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