Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050

V-Strom specific discussion => V-Strom specific discussion => Topic started by: thebigcheese on November 13, 2012, 18:46:31

Title: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: thebigcheese on November 13, 2012, 18:46:31
what make of chain/sprockets have you blokes used?

I want the gold plated chain for my vee and standard teeth sprockets. going to replace it over the winter and was won dering what's the best combo, I saw the link below but seems expensive to me...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-1000-V ... 35c15d4f3c (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-1000-V-STROM-02-09-RENTHAL-CHAIN-SPROCKET-KIT-/230877384508?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item35c15d4f3c)    £167

then there is this kit:  

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gold-DID-X-ri ... 564e8aaddd (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gold-DID-X-ring-Chain-and-Sprocket-Kit-DL1000-V-STROM-2002-2009-/370684898781?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item564e8aaddd)  £91
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: LaKraven on November 13, 2012, 18:57:22
I'm using Renthall sprockets (stock toothing) and the gold DID X-ring "Extra Heavy Duty" chain.

Done ~7,500 miles on it thus far, no signs of any visible wear (riggorous maintenance to thank for that)
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: longman on November 13, 2012, 19:11:25
I am using DID chain and sprockets, 7k so far with now visible wear and didn't have to adjust the since the the service. Very happy with it. I am looking after it but not too much:)
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: thebigcheese on November 13, 2012, 19:22:15
what prices did you blokes pay may I ask? just wondering why the £76 price difference is in the two kits I listed. DID is whta the manufacturers use as far as I'm aware, where as the other expensive kit seems to be aftermarket.
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: longman on November 13, 2012, 19:49:32
I paid £87 for the 2 sprockets and DID chain. it was last year but I saw the same kit on the net for exactly the same price.
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: LaKraven on November 13, 2012, 20:01:59
I paid a hell of a lot more (£100 for the 525 pitch DID X-Link "Extra Heavy Duty" chain, not far off ~£60 for the sprockets).
Either I was ripped off, or prices have dropped since I purchased.
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: thebigcheese on November 13, 2012, 20:06:30
Quote from: "LaKraven"
I paid a hell of a lot more (£100 for the 525 pitch DID X-Link "Extra Heavy Duty" chain, not far off ~£60 for the sprockets).
Either I was ripped off, or prices have dropped since I purchased.

I would say so. though the renthal sprockets on there own are quite expensive. you paid about the same price as that expensive kit. (renthal sprockets and Tsubaki Sigma SGX XRG Chain).

is there a big difference between the two is open to debate I guess. hopefully with my chain oiler it should last a a good bit. got about 12-13k miles on my original chain and sprockets. no doubt due a change soon.  :GRR:
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: LaKraven on November 13, 2012, 21:50:12
A working oiler will make a difference, but what makes the best difference is regularly cleaning and fully relubricating the chain, checking and adjusting the tension as necessary, and getting the wheel alignment perfect.
Title: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: Orinoco on November 13, 2012, 22:15:12
DID for both chain and sprockets. Xring heavy duty, but not the fancy gold one
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: Abercol on November 14, 2012, 11:58:49
Triple S X-ring HD gold chain & JT sprockets on the Vee, working fine at just under 10k so far. £125 fitted at Cupar M/C's.

No complaints, been adjusted twice since fitting, once at about 500 miles and once at about 6000. Only lubed with WD40.
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: Juvecu on November 14, 2012, 15:15:27
I use a Renthal sprocket on the front only because it was cheap and a Sunstar sprocket on the rear. I have a DID X-Ring gold chain that runs on that. AFAIK Sunstar are the people that make the OEM sprockets for most of the Japanese manufacturers, I've never had issues with them and the prices are good. If I can't get Sunstar sprockets I try to get JT Sprockets or Renthal ones (not aluminium ones.) The gold plating on the DID chain does make a difference, the normal ones tend to corrode quickly. The corrosion isn't an issue it just looks crap, the gold one stays neater. Wouldn't buy a gold one again unless I find one cheap again. As long as the sprockets are carbon steel they should be fine. DID chains are probably the best value for money. Avoid Renthal chains, I've read and heard many bad things about them. Their sprockets are good though, but consider that there is no need for getting hard anodised aluminium sprockets on a Strom. I'd say anything between £80-100 is probably a far price for a decent set of sprockets and a good chain. Shop around, I usually get them for in the £80 somethings.
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: thebigcheese on January 07, 2013, 20:58:16
what's the difference between this "did extreme upgrade kit"

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-DL1000 ... 4cfb956cfd (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-DL1000-K2-9-V-STROM-2002-10-Extreme-Upgrade-DID-chain-Sprocket-Kit-/330638388477?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4cfb956cfd)

and this kit:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-DL1000 ... 20bf837777 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-DL1000-K2-9-V-STROM-2002-10-DID-Chain-and-Sprocket-Extreme-Upgrade-Kit-/140652017527?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item20bf837777)

is the only difference the colour of the rear sprocket. anyone have any opinions on the "standard did chain" and the "extreme did chain? there is 40quid in the difference
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: kennydies on January 07, 2013, 22:04:13
I put this on my bike at xmas:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350652337184? ... 1497.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350652337184?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: hookie on January 07, 2013, 22:25:06
If you go onto the chain makers websites they'll give you specs of their various chains and whether they have 'O', 'X', or have no sealing rings at all. Very often the tensile strengths of all but the lowest spec chains are similar and different manufacturers may claim advantages over other makes that sound good but probably can't be verified. Most kits from reputable suppliers will come with decent sprockets such as JTS or Sunstar and both are fine. What really determines how long a set  lasts will be how well (or badly!) they are kept properly adjusted and lubricated. Of the two sets listed I'd go for the cheaper one. Can't see any point in paying the extra as the chains appear identical. Just make sure that whatever you get that they supply you with a soft link and not a spring one. Might also suggest getting a 43T rear as it markedly improves the bike all round without any downsides.
Title: Re: chain/sprocket brands for the vstrom
Post by: bat-kam on January 09, 2013, 18:05:26
The time has come for my original chain to be changed. After covering 16,5k miles, cleaning and lubing some links have started to lock in odd positions.

Once I put new chain and sprockets  :fix: I will install Scottoiler v-system with Dual Injector to keep the chain nicely lubed.