Chain and sprocket life?

**mattian** · 12th October 2010, 17:35

I've put 25,000 kms on my 2009 SFV 650 Gladius and so far so good......

Just wondering, how long should I expect the chain and rear sproket to last before they need replacing? I have been consulting my hand-book and it says to just "Inspect" chain and sprocket for excessive wear at every service interval. It still looks good as far as I can tell after 25,000. I regularly clean and wax my chain to help prolong its life.

Just wondering, how many k's have some of you put on your bikes before its needed changing?

**imdying** · 12th October 2010, 17:42

Sounds like you're maintaing it carefully, in which case you can expect a good lifespan. How long... hard to say, but if it's looking good at 25k, then you should be ok to get to 30k. From what I've read on svrider.com, you're getting good life from it, as 25k is what most report as the life they had out of theres.

**slofox** · 12th October 2010, 17:46

I swapped out the chain and sprockets on the SVS at somewhere just over 30,000 as far as I can recall...

**Bikemad** · 12th October 2010, 17:55

32000 ks on the daytona but they rooted now...........be doin em before the Burt

**Harvd** · 12th October 2010, 18:13

My bike had 55500 km on it with the original chain and sprockets. Sprockets looked fine but the bike had been kept outside for the last year so had rust on the outside links. So replaced the lot. otherwise im sure it could have kept going But looked like crap

**Robert Taylor** · 12th October 2010, 18:41

When you do re[place them dont go for cheap. DID is far and away the best brand of chain and you must match to well made sprockets that have excellent material quality. Sadly theres so much low quality Chinese made stuff on the market and you have to sift through the marketing BS. IF ITS CHEAP THERES USUALLY GOOD REASON

**Conquiztador** · 12th October 2010, 23:59

Wear on sprockets come from worn chains. Against general belief that chains "stretch", they do not. What happens is that the links wear and therefore the chain becomes longer. (Think about it, if you have 0.05mm wear in each link, and your chain has 100 links, then the chain has just become 5mm longer). Once the chain links wear the pitch between the links (that is perfectly matched to the sprocket teeth pitch) changes. This then results in wear of the teeth on the sprocket. Therefore, in theory, if you change chain in time, there is no need to change sprocket.

So next time you end up adjusting the chain, realise that this means that the chain pitch has gotten longer and there will be more wear on the sprocket.

As mentioned here, quality chains are made of better material and will not wear as fast. And dirt, against common belief, is not the biggest culprit, it is water and rust! So keep the chains greased with quality grease and you get more life from them.

I soo love my shaftdrive!!

**TimeOut** · 13th October 2010, 05:06

32,000 on the V-Strom, and looks good for at least another 5.

Bought another set at 30,000 just in case

**MikeL** · 13th October 2010, 10:42

80,000 km on the Honda, still on the same chain and sprockets as when I bought it at 25,000.
To be honest I was a bit anal about chain maintenance in the early years: would religiously clean (with kerosene) and re-oil every weekend. Have become a bit more relaxed in recent years. And also because this bike is mainly used for commuting it has had a relatively gentle life.
The Yamaha has done 35,000 k without a change of chain/sprockets and shows little wear. I put a Scottoiler on when I bought it and I'm sure that has helped.