Chain/sprocket life expectancy?

[lenny6753]

Can anyone give me an estimate on what when/how often I should change the chain/sprocket(s)? I use my 990 for mostly road riding/touring and the occasional dirt road though I sometimes ride in the rain. I replaced the chain, rear sprocket, and front(sorry cannot remember correct name for it right now) at about 9,000 miles before my last Alaska trip. I now have 22,000 miles on the bike so about 13,000 on this set. I am planning on returning to Alaska this summer. Should I replace them again or wait until I return? Thanks.

[CB734]

I usually get 16-18k,I run the stock Regina,tried a did or ek once cause I use them on the dirt bikes,but only got about 10k

[Too Tall]

I've ran into the same problem of the chain & sprockets only half wore out mileage-wise and a long trip just around the corner. My wife's 990 currently has 18,000 miles and my Tiger 11,000 miles and we're planning another AK trip again this summer.

The KTM will definitely get a new chain and sprockets and, yes the Tiger will as well. Simply don't want to worry about these major items on such an extended trip. Have a similar problem with tires and learned last summer in OR that finding an appropriate tire and getting it changed on the road will waste a day plus cost much higher than purchasing and changing before the trip.

Much easier to do preventive maintenance than roadside maintenance on the Haul Road. See you up there.

[dirtdiver]

I agree with 2 tall. You are early, you probably wont have an issue, but pay $350 now verses a problem on the road out in the boonies?

I changed mine at 17k and it seemed like it still had some life.

DD

[mousitsas]

I change the front sprocket two or three times with every rear sprocket and chain and can get 25-30k miles out of a chain and a rear. Sometimes if I'm not bored, I even reverse the front halfway in its life. It seems that for road riding mostly, the front is the weakest link, which in turn wears out the chain. I guess it is logical if you think that on the back you have 3 times as many teeth to handle the same forces.

[genghis9021]

The DirtTricks rear sprockets are definitely the "trick". The CS should be replaced at least twice as often as a standard rear. Reversing it "half-way" is a solid approach.

25-30K miles should not be a problem.

Chain slack is a key input into chain life.

[lenny6753]

Thanks guys I appreciate the input. I was leaning towards replacing them anyway but just needed a little confirmation I guess. I would rather spend the money now than break down on the road.

[Zuber]

Check the chain every time you change the rear tire. It will usually fail on a few links first. Then you can replace the chain before it wears the rear sprocket.

[corndog67]

Originally Posted by genghis9021

The DirtTricks rear sprockets are definitely the "trick". The CS should be replaced at least twice as often as a standard rear. Reversing it "half-way" is a solid approach.

25-30K miles should not be a problem.

Chain slack is a key input into chain life.

What do you mean by chain slack? I tend to run mine a bit looser than a lot of people, an AMA tuner of the year that I used to work for hipped me to the fact that a lot of people keep their chains too tight. Real hard on the chain, sprockets, swingarm bearings, countershaft bearings and everything else. I get real good chain and sprocket life. It isn't slapping the swingarm, but isn't overly tight either.

[ABuck99]

20,000 miles on my 06 and the chain & sprockets are still in relatively good shape- As preventative measure I will probably change Chain- Front & Rear sprocket in the next few thousand miles( its ready waiting in a box). I like the Dirt Tricks rear sprocket, its lightweight, bulletproof, and something cool & different than stock.

Chain worn out?- a simple check I learned is to pull on the chain from the back of the rear sprocket( at 3-oclock)- If you can pull off enough chain to see the groove in the sprocket- its about time to replace. There are more technical ways to measure the distance between the rollers but that gets confusing to cypher for my simple mind. I think Dirt Tricks makes a cool billet chain wear Gauge for the 525 chain if you want to go the technical route.

[jimmibanke]

A scottoiler or similar will improve life time for the kit too. Cheap investment. its all about not worrying about the bike when your out in the field

[genghis9021]

Originally Posted by corndog67

What do you mean by chain slack? I tend to run mine a bit looser than a lot of people, an AMA tuner of the year that I used to work for hipped me to the fact that a lot of people keep their chains too tight. Real hard on the chain, sprockets, swingarm bearings, countershaft bearings and everything else. I get real good chain and sprocket life. It isn't slapping the swingarm, but isn't overly tight either.

Yeah, people tend to run them to tight.