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Recommendations..Chain and sprocket kit sv650

SFlaserSV

SFlaserSV

New member
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Location
SF
Moto(s)
2005 sv650n (bumble bee)
Hello BARF,

So I just reserved a spot at the motoshop chain and sprocket clinic so I can replace my setup with a mechanic by my side to prevent any massive f*** ups. Pretty handy with the wrench but this is my first time doing it so I figure it would be a great learning.experience. Plus I hear great things about the place.

Anyhow, I need some insight on what kit I should purchase. I usually replace all parts with Suzuki oem but I'm curious if there are any other brands or setups that may be better ie +1/-1 teeth.

A little background on my riding. I mainly commute on the bike about 10 miles a day rain or shine. Weekend rides in the twisters every once in a while. Not to much aggressive riding and not gonna be on a trackday anytime soon. Pretty much just a lot of freeway and city streets.

I am looking for durability with a reasonable price. Searching the Internet and noticed RK, Regina and DID brands come up a lot. Are these any good?

Thanks for the help in advance.

Mods please move to garage if general is the wrong place for these questions. Thx
 
There are a total of three "parts" in a kit.

Why not just go over to your local Cycle Gear and buy a chain and sprockets? I've found them to be reasonably competitive in the past and you can pick the level of quality that you need for each item. I've usually gone with JT sprockets and have been happy with both the price and how well they work.

Make sure that you get the type of master link that you want. I had to go back and order a rivet master link last time, because I forgot to check what came with the chain.
 
I'm not a fan of the kits. They tend to be with a smaller size chain (doesn't last as long) or with aluminum sprockets (also don't last as long). I've always gone to Cycle Gear, pieced together what I wanted, and had them check the availability online prior to placing my order. On my SV I stuck with stock sizes on everything and it worked great.

Oh, and DID chains are the best, but you pay for them.
 
I've run everything from the cheapest Part Unlimited $20 chain to highend DIDs. As long as you like to maintain your bike, they all work fine.

I don't do kits either. I cherry pick for value and sometimes buy used sprockets if the teeth are good.

k9gsxr600 said:
I found -1 front, +2 rear is really good for all three(great low end torque). I would hate to still be riding stock gearing for the city, such as in your case.
Click to expand...

On what kind of bike? SV gearing is damn near perfect for city/highway riding (short first; tall sixth) especially with peak torque in the midrange.
 
I stick with OEM sprockets. If I need to go up or down a tooth I find an OEM sprocket that will do the trick. I have had two bad experiences with aftermarket sprockets eating chains, one was a very pricey DID X-ring chain.

I do love the DID X-ring chain, as others have mentioned very good chain.

Oh and as long as you are doing it at the shop... make sure you DON'T use a clip master link. Get the press on kind, less to go wrong, and they should have the tool to install it.
 
I've always used Renthal front sprockets and whatever steel rear sprockets I can get my hands on. The stock gearing is really the best if you're just commuting and riding on the weekends. Go with a DID chain.
 
I think you only need 114 links on the SV with stock gearing, I could be wrong though. That's the exact same setup I have. I found the Vortex rears don't last very long though, at least more than 15,000 miles. I've been able to get 20,000+ out of both of my chains.
 
Pick one that fits your budget.
http://sprocketcenter.com/index.php.../suzuki/sv-650-99-08/sprocket-chain-kits.html

This link above is for: SV 650 1999-2008
OEM Gear Ratio - 15T Front Sprocket / 45T Rear Sprocket OEM Chain - 525 Pitch / 110 Links

You can go back and change the bike on that site if it doesn't match what your bike is(I just guessed based on your profile). The prices are competitive, they have a lot of options for each bundle, and you pretty much can't screw up ordering the wrong thing because it is all labeled pretty clearly. No muss, no fuss.

EDIT: just corrected my wrong info written here regarding gearing (well written for front sprocket only). Increasing ratio is more acceleration decreases top speed (larger rear, or smaller front than stock), opposite is true for decreasing ratio.
 
Last edited:
Clem Kevin said:
I think you only need 114 links on the SV with stock gearing, I could be wrong though.
Click to expand...
When I install a chain, I don't bother to count the links in the chain. I start with one that's too long (120 links is always a good start), set the rear axle at the middle of the adjustment range, put the chain in place and figure out where I want to go from there. If things line up, I'll cut the chain to work at the middle position. If not, I have to decide if I want a shorter one (easier wheelies) or a longer one (more stable) by two links. Then I cut the chain to the desired length, install the master link, and we're ready to go ride. :cool
 
Stealth/Sidewinder/Krause Racing sells the steel over aluminum rears for $79 or $89. They last a long, long time. I use DID ZVM, the best, but most expensive. About $225, and stock fronts. Should last at least 25,000 on an SV.
 
Any name brand o-ring chain: DID, EK, RK, Regina, Tsubaki, Parts Unlimited. I think the PartsUnl chains are relabeled EK chains.

Any steel sprockets: JT, Renthal, Sunstar, Vortex, Parts Unlimited.

Aluminum (soft) rear sprockets offer weight savings at the expense of service life. Unless you're racing where weight savings is important make sure to get steel sprockets.
 
Note: Faired SV and naked SV have different chain lengths. I think the rear sprocket might also be a different size. So if you find conflicting info, that's why.
 
Thx everyone for the help. Really appreciate it. I think I will go with SFSv650's setup. Price is reasonable and reviews have the setup to be pretty durable.

Thx for the not buying a kit advice too. I just figured it would be lesser mess up because everything came together. I'm going a la cart per everyone's suggestion.


SFSV650 said:
DID 525 X-Ring Chain Size 120
Renthal 525 Front Size 15
Vortex 525 Rear Size 45

I did this for my K3 SV last month; cost me $191 shipped. No issues with installation; taking ten links off the chain to match the existing took all of five minutes. YMMV.
Click to expand...

Thx sfsv650
 
lonerockz said:
I stick with OEM sprockets. If I need to go up or down a tooth I find an OEM sprocket that will do the trick. I have had two bad experiences with aftermarket sprockets eating chains, one was a very pricey DID X-ring chain.

I do love the DID X-ring chain, as others have mentioned very good chain.

Oh and as long as you are doing it at the shop... make sure you DON'T use a clip master link. Get the press on kind, less to go wrong, and they should have the tool to install it.
Click to expand...

Do I have to buy this part separately from the setup that SFSV650 has. I just bought the parts that he linked.

Thx in advance.
 
ScottRNelson said:
When I install a chain, I don't bother to count the links in the chain. I start with one that's too long (120 links is always a good start), set the rear axle at the middle of the adjustment range, put the chain in place and figure out where I want to go from there. If things line up, I'll cut the chain to work at the middle position. If not, I have to decide if I want a shorter one (easier wheelies) or a longer one (more stable) by two links. Then I cut the chain to the desired length, install the master link, and we're ready to go ride. :cool
Click to expand...

I do this, too, but from long to short. It's crazy, but a few links makes a big difference how a bike handles (and squats, etc.).
 
I regularly clean/lube my chain, run a brand name (DID 520VM right now), run steel sprockets, and am on an SV650 (relatively low power), and still eat chains on a regular basis.

The bike is stored indoors, too. If you are... not easy on your bike, there's only so much you can do to get it to last a long time.
 
Junkie said:
I regularly clean/lube my chain, run a brand name (DID 520VM right now), run steel sprockets, and am on an SV650 (relatively low power), and still eat chains on a regular basis.

The bike is stored indoors, too. If you are... not easy on your bike, there's only so much you can do to get it to last a long time.
Click to expand...

Maybe you have your chain a little too loose/tight? I think one should easily be able to get 15,000 miles out of a chain on our bike.
 
How do you tell when your chain is due for replacing?
 
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