Replace your chain and sprockets all at once. Worn sprockets will kill a new chain quickly. A worn chain will kill new sprockets quickly.

If you're looking for long life, get a decent DID or RK chain and order stock sprockets from your dealer. You'll see a much shorter life with aftermarket aluminum sprockets.

Avoid Sprocket Specialists. There stuff is crap, even with the bunk titan tough coating. I've been running Renthal aluminum sprockets and I am extremely pleased with their wear life. They're a bit more than the other offerings from Vortex, etc., but they are machined much better and last far longer.

 

+1 to the above

especially this part

Avoid Sprocket Specialists. There stuff is crap, even with the bunk titan tough coating.

 

Good chain maintenance leads to long chain and sprocket life. The chain/sprockets have only been replaced on my bike once at around 29,000 miles. I went with SVS stock sprockets and an endless chain (PITA, take off swingarm to install chain, but stronger too) stock sizing for maximum life since I ride long distances alot.

 

That's a good lifespan, especially if you have no chain oiler, it'll be better than about 9/10 of the people on this board I reckon. You can replace just the chain if the sprockets are still in very good, near-new condition- usually if the chain's become damaged or rusted rather than being worn out- but it makes no sense after 30000 miles tbh.

 

Mine go bad around 10k miles, if not sooner.

Im not so great w/ chain maint.

 

LOL @ Dave no chain-oiler here, just honda pro-lube, then honda pro-lube w/ teflon now dupont multi (no more mess). only really cleaned it once or twice w/ WD40 and a hose (low pressure).

I've decided to bite the bullet and do the whole lot. OEM sprockets I think and a DID X-Ring is my current plan (is x-ring really better ($25)?). $200 bucks or so, plus $100 for the tool (rather than $140 for labor + hassle and no left-over fun stuff).

I'll post up some pics of my current set tonight. This down-time will also allow me to ride the SV before the gas gets too stale, so that's nice.

a.s.

 

anything over 20k miles on a chain/sprocket kit is a gift and you are on borrowed time.

 

+1^ i take care,but do some gravel roads. 18-19k. About i chain to two sets of tires. Sprokets every 2 chains.

 

Tough to get good pictures, but here's what I've got. I think there is some wear but it's not horrible. I still think I'll replace them... final verdict after hearing back from you guys and taking a look at the front tonight.

Spec of grease, sorry

Thanks,

a.s.

 

I replaced my chain/sprockets last March. Total cost was $138 (OEM). 18k miles later, I just started hearing the chain binding again.

I used an endless chain. 'Twas a bit of a pain, but worth it. No, you don't have to completely remove the swingarm to do it.

Have I REALLY done 18k miles in 16 months? Dang.

 

The swingarm bushings were replaced at the same time since we were already there, thats why mine came all the way off... Winter maintenance!

 

Mr Suzuki was sparing with the grease in the swingarm bearings so it's well worth dropping it out anyway and doing the job right before they seize. TBH that's a job that wants doing about as often as a chain will last if cared for, so it's not really a disadvantage- I have to admit I found this the hard way, my swingarm bearings were basically solid by 35000 miles, which was when I first dropped the arm out.

 

Here are some pics of the front. Also no dramatic wear issues... Although, there appears to be a need for periodic cleaning behind the cover.

a.s.

 

Actually, if you compare the pattern of the leading edge "ramp" on the sprocket teeth to the trailing edge ramp and look at the "scoop" in the valley between the teeth you will see that sprocket really is quite worn and due for replacement.

That wear pattern is precisely what wears out a new chain on old sprockets.

 

Thats not bad at all...you should have seen my chain

 

Am I the only guy who doesn't replace my rear sprocket at the same time as the front?

I used to replace them in sets, but then I added a dual sport and swapped front c/s sprockets regularly based on dirt conditions and noticed no downside to chain longevit since the rear sprockets wears slower than the front anyway. The fornts are also cheaper, which is an added benefit as well. So for me it's a new front sprocket with each chain and a new rear every two or three chains, depending on wear.

I always get about 20K miles from my DID chains that way, same as when I used to do sets. But I confess I don't try to get every last mile from my chains, either.

 

here are the pics, the front was pretty obvious, but the rear still looked servicable. it was probably a little more of a hassle than i expected, but i'm happy to have it done, everything runs smooth as silk now.

thanks,

a.s.

 

Thanks for posting the pics. Before seeing them I was thinking the rear was good and the front was questionable. After seeing the new front sprocket..wow!

 

must be the 5th time in a week that ive read an entire thread to only notice that it has been long dead/recently revived

 

Google hooked it up! Typed in "chain life site:svrider.com" and here I am.

 

Not really complaining though, its actually kind of funny, at any rate at least this shows that people actually search threads before starting a new one (which i dont really care about either, just saying).