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Chains that BARF likes

FDRotor

FDRotor

New member
Joined
Oct 2, 2011
Location
San Jose
Moto(s)
07 Zx6r
Recon BMW
Name
Jackson
Hey Barf,
What chain do you guys like?

Read a lot of good things about the RK GXW as well as the RK ZXW and DID EVR3
I don't know much about EK chains besides their flashy 3D chain, but that's out of the question. What chains do you guys suggest/run?

I've seen the GXW for 90 bucks vs the ERV3 for 100. (520/120 links)

How are your guys' mileage out of both? Track days/city/canyon on a 600
I have a zx6r and am inclined to believe that the slight tensile strength difference or the few ounces I'll save will be negligible but aesthetic wise I like the DID but am slightly worried as to the mileage.

I plan to get a new 16 front sprocket and pair it up with a 45 renthal rear. Maybe I'll go steel but if the chain is going to last as long as a rear alu sprocket, then I'll just get an alu. No point to me in having a steel rear when the chain will wear out before the steel and then having to replace both.

Recently been doing mods to the zx6r and there's a lot of kinks in the DID chain (29k miles) but the steel sprocket still looks good
 
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The only reason that a (new) chain would wear faster than an aluminum sprocket is if it were not maintained and/or adjusted properly.
You should run steel anyway.

All of the chains you've named above will provide excellent service and life.
Keep it cleaned, lubed and adjusted properly.
 
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I personally have always used RK. You can find the exact size on Amazon ~$100 so you don't have to worry about removing links. Very convenient.

This
 
Hahaha see what you started? Seriously though, any of the chains you listed are good. RK, DID and EK are good. As you go up grades within their lines the tensile strength becomes higher, it's more expensive, and lasts longer. I usually, get a middle of the road one of those. Currently running a EK on one bike and DID on the other. I'm moderately hard on chains and get about 15-20k out of one on a street bike.

Oh, and for the street, steel all the way. Otherwise, you'll likely be replacing 2-3 sets of sprockets for every chain.
 
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m0t0_ryder said:
The only reason that a (new) chain would wear faster than an aluminum sprocket is if it were not maintained and/or adjusted properly.
You should run steel anyway.

All of the chains you've named above will provide excellent service and life.
Keep it cleaned, lubed and adjusted properly.
Click to expand...

+1 This is all you need to know! :thumbup
 
the Renthal AL rear sprockets last a good amount of time. they last about 1 1/2 season for me of race use, ~25-35 days on track. over that same time, a DID ERV3 or an RK GX gets maybe 3 adjustments and is probably about half worn.

for racing, sprockets are sacrificial - wear the sprocket instead of the chain. that way im comfortable swapping in new or diff sprockets on an old chain and not worrying about accelerated wear due to a worn chain. also, sprockets are cheaper than chains and easier to replace. if i was running a steel sprocket, the chain and sprocket would wear evenly and thered be a mismatch when swapping sprockets.

theres no way a chain will wear faster than an AL rear sprocket. if its adjusted improperly, the chain is going to eat the sprocket while also wearing faster.
 
Thanks for your guys' input.
If anything I'll look for a steel sprocket now over an alu sprocket.
For 20 bucks I think I'll get the renthal for now though
 
Back when I sold chains, we occasionally had riders come in and throw a $30 dirtbike chain on their 600cc supersport because it was the right size. They'd come back in less than a week for a different one. Tensile strength matters.
 
I did mostly commuting, so performance wasn't an issue. Picked up a 530 RK chain and it stayed in great shape even after some.....neglect lol :laughing

+1 whatever you get, don't skimp, get a quality name brand chain
 
the more you pay the longer they last, typically. As said tensile strength matters

I run DIDs and get about 20k average on a 100+ hp/ 60+ ft/lb bike.
 
I've tossed cheesyass cheap chains, once through the cases, effectively totaling the bike due to holing the cases and parting it out. A very expensive lesson.

And due to a couple of bad experiences with RK and Tsubaki customer service regarding issues with chains from both, and I'll admit that it's been decades, but this elephant has a long memory, the ONLY chain I'll buy any more, is a DID ZVM-X, the highest rated chain DID makes. About $215 for my last one. I even use them on my dirt bikes. On the biggest power bikes I've owned, combined with Sidewinder steel over aluminum sprockets, I get excellent chain life, generally, 1 adjustment when new, and very, very few adjustments after. I think I'm on rear tire number 5 since I put that chain/sprocket combo on my KTM, I never touch the adjusters. Really, no exaggeration. Same with my Ducati, my YZ450F, and the old CBR1000F, 30,000 plus miles without adjustment, after the stocker was history at 30k.

To me, the price is worth the peace of mind and the lack of having to fuck with it.
 
RK, they have outright replaced my chains because of any problem. Now you do need to complete the registration card. DID did nothing for me when it BROKE in half at 6kmiles...
 
stangmx13 said:
the Renthal AL rear sprockets last a good amount of time. they last about 1 1/2 season for me of race use, ~25-35 days on track. over that same time, a DID ERV3 or an RK GX gets maybe 3 adjustments and is probably about half worn.

for racing, sprockets are sacrificial - wear the sprocket instead of the chain. that way im comfortable swapping in new or diff sprockets on an old chain and not worrying about accelerated wear due to a worn chain. also, sprockets are cheaper than chains and easier to replace. if i was running a steel sprocket, the chain and sprocket would wear evenly and thered be a mismatch when swapping sprockets.

theres no way a chain will wear faster than an AL rear sprocket. if its adjusted improperly, the chain is going to eat the sprocket while also wearing faster.
Click to expand...
And if you manage to somehow misalign your chain, the aluminum sprocket will leave a bunch of aluminum flakes stuck to any grease near the front sprocket to let you know that you have a problem. :laughing
Sprockets.jpg


I'll never use an aluminum sprocket on a motorcycle again (yes, that's a Renthal on the bottom). JT sprockets are reasonably priced and of decent quality, and that's what I use when I need new ones.
 
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