Advantage to using fancy chains?

[Lukey]

A certain vendor has good prices on DID VM520 gold chains...I was wondering if a switch to said chain would yield any advantages other than looking great.  I know little about chains and only just learned how to clean mine!  Sorry, it's sad but true...   

Also, can the chain be put on by itself or must the sprockets be changed, too?  I'm pretty sure mine are fine, though I wouldn't really know by looking at them.

[Slide Panda]

High quality chains generally have a longer life.   Better seals on the rollers keep the grease in and the joints flexible for longer. 

The change your sprockets when you change the chain is a rule of thumb.  If you've got 100 miles on the bike and you want to swap a sprocket.. no problem.  More mile to more you should change out the suite .

[mxwinky]

I'm not sure I understood that last post.  Maybe another drink will help.     Nope, still gibberish.  When worn it is definitely recommended to change chain and sprockets together as a set.  If your sprockets are still cherry you should be able to get away with just a chain replacement.  I had exactly this scenario on my Multistrada recently.  The sprockets are absolutely perfect, but the stock chain was toast.  As mentioned above, the better quality chains have o-rings (or the new DID x-rings) which keep the factory pressed-in grease inside the chain rollers better and allow the chain to roll better and last longer.  Lubing your chain only serves to lube the outer plates and does not penetrate the inside of the rollers, so it's vital that the grease inside them stay put and does its job.  As for your sprockets, the teeth should be straight and have a slightly flat top to their tips.  If the sprocket teeth are sharp and pointy and/or hooked (curved) so that they're not pointing straight up from the sprocket base, they're toast and must be replaced along with the chain.  Worn sprockets will wear out the chain prematurely, and vice versa.  A really good chain will cost more but will generally offset its higher price with longer life, both for the chain and the sprockets (if kept adjusted correctly), as well as quieter running.  When I changed the Multi to the new DID x-ring I really noticed how much quieter running it is, and the bike even shifted gears more quietly.  Proper adjustment is also super important to the whole system.  Hope this helps.

[flsurfdog]

Someone posted on TOB with pics of new sprockets right next to worn out sprockets....very educational, maybe they could do it again 

[Big Troubled Bear]

Generally speaking the more expensive the longer they last, adjustment really are very important to chain and sprocket life

[Slide Panda]

Jebus... what was I doing when I typed that last post....

Basically the more expensive chains have better seals on them, X or W rings vs. O rings and the metals are probably a bit higher quality.  The better seals protect the grease that surrounds the roller and pin assembly for longer.  Once that grease starts to crap out, wash out etc then the chain becomes less flexible.  As a result you get chain kinks and increased wear, due to the kinks and that the roller portion of each link no longer wants to roll.

If you have low miles/wear on one your current chain and sprocket suite you can probably get away with just swapping a sprocket.  The more wear you have on your final drive components the more you should replace the sprockets and chain, not just one or the other.

YMMV on how long a chain and sprocket set lasts based on a ton of factors.  Some include engine power, your propensity for hard acceleration, sprocket materials, chain adjustment (or lack of) and more.

[hypurone]

In a word, yes. You get what you pay for. DID's are awesome chains. Only brand i will ever buy. Get me a Gold w/ black rollers and a Stealth sprocket Gold center w/ black ring/teeth please!! 

[LA]

This is my second DID gold chain. They are good chains, but both of em turned black over time.

LA

[Lukey]

Thanks guys! Very helpful. ttyl

[Evil_Ductator]

I just bought an RK Gold 520 chain (going to 15/42 gearing as well).  How do these compare to DiD?  I wanted a black chain but I think gold will look good too...

[monsterduc]

Another advantage to having a "pretty" chain is the incentive to clean it to keep it pretty.  Well, except for LA maybe.   

[mstevens]

I was seriously considering getting a nice 520 chain for my bike.

Today I was out cleaning the gunk off the chain. Apparently, '05 620's came with DID 520 chains to begin with. Either that, or the woman I bought it from replaced the chain and sprockets during the 500 miles she had it. Or perhaps she stamped "520" and "DID" on each little link.

What a nice, money-saving surprise!