Motorbike Chain Life?

[DLO01]

Hey Guys,

What is the general life of a drive chain on a road Motorbike?

I know theres heaps of variables to consider, maintanence, tension, how you ride the bike etc. But if you look after it, how many Km's typically would/should you get?

Why I ask is I have a 2006 Honda VFR800 and it has 33 000kms on it now with original chain. I have always looked after the chain and I have just found I have ran out of adjustment and its past the adjustment (replace chain) indicator.

I've always, lubricated it, cleaned and lubricated it, kept it at the correct slack. I really would have thought that I'd get more out of it than this.

[xntrik]

~ 25-30,000 if its just road use afaik.
But in your case maybe a bit longer.

Just keep it clean and lubed up, but might wanna look into replacing it in the near future.

[xntrik]

Oh I just re-read your question, original chain afaik~ should be replaced already by now.

[DLO01]

Yep, it needs replacing asap. I got no adjustment left.

Ok so, I am doing ok with 33 000kms on the clock then? Just would have thought that they'd last longer than that.

[xntrik]

Im sure the factory chain needs replaceing after like 10,000kms (give or take a few kms, safety issue)
I guess if you keep it mint it can last you up to 30,000kms lol.

[JasonGilholme]

its all those mono's down your street that have killed it!

[DLO01]

Im sure the factory chain needs replaceing after like 10,000kms (give or take a few kms, safety issue)
I guess if you keep it mint it can last you up to 30,000kms lol.

10K km's no way! Surely its supposed to last longer than that.


its all those mono's down your street that have killed it!

RWD ftw! :thumbsup:

[xntrik]

10K km's no way! Surely its supposed to last longer than that.



RWD ftw! :thumbsup:


Well first apparently factory chains arent that awesome.
But I've just been told if your bike has over 10,000kms on its first factory chain to replace it with another. D:

Sometimes being too safe costs alot of money.

But I guess with your TLC it'll last you awhile ay? ;)

[fundies]

Well first apparently factory chains arent that awesome.
But I've just been told if your bike has over 10,000kms on its first factory chain to replace it with another. D:

Sometimes being too safe costs alot of money.

But I guess with your TLC it'll last you awhile ay? ;)

That's not what I've heard. A well looked after factory chain, used not abused should last over 30K no problems.

[dynasty]

well its all subjective, no need to argue over how long chains last because everyone rides differently in different conditions. factory chains on my gsxr-600 lasted about 17000km, and thats basically as long as it can go. Easiest way to check is to look for rust spots around each link, and have a 'bend' of the chain on a few links. if the interaction between the links are still smooth then you are still fine, but if its rigid, eg. u bend the two joining links and they dont go back to their original position, then its times to replace.

[DLO01]

Thanks for your input Dynasty. :thumbsup:

[10KRPM]

For the VFR, i have a 98 model but it still has the adjustment like dloo1's 96 model. If it can no longer be adjusted then the chain needs to be replaced.

30 odd thousand kms is about right. I racked up that much doing daily gold coast/brisbane commutes monday to friday before i had my chain replaced. motorbike parts always dont last as long they should, especially if your coming from a car background.

Going to wait until the chain needs replacing again and get the sprockets done as well, the old girl needs a bit more pickup now thats shes 12 years old.

[krogoth]

sell the vfr, get something with a drive shaft, lol

[DLO01]

For the VFR, i have a 98 model but it still has the adjustment like dloo1's 96 model. If it can no longer be adjusted then the chain needs to be replaced.

30 odd thousand kms is about right. I racked up that much doing daily gold coast/brisbane commutes monday to friday before i had my chain replaced. motorbike parts always dont last as long they should, especially if your coming from a car background.

Going to wait until the chain needs replacing again and get the sprockets done as well, the old girl needs a bit more pickup now thats shes 12 years old.

Mines a 2006 model. I has the big C spanner adjustment which tensions the chain.


sell the vfr, get something with a drive shaft, lol

Yep, a very good aspect of driveshaft.

[10KRPM]

Mines a 2006 model. I has the big C spanner adjustment which tensions the chain.



Yep, a very good aspect of driveshaft.


yep same adjustment system as the 98 model.

[DLO01]

Sweet! Got my new chain today. :)