How many miles do you get from a chain?

My ZR7 (modern KZ750) has 25,000 miles on the OEM o-ring chain and rear sprocket. Front sprocket was changed to gear up about 20,000 miles ago.

The rear sprocket shows a little wear but not much, and the chain will pull away from it, but only a little....

So I ask because I went a long time without tightening it, but lately it seems to have started stretching. Normally I'd say it does not need replacing based on my inspection, but the recent stretching is not normal.

How many miles are you guys getting on chains?

I got about 38,000 miles out of my original o-ring KZ650 chain. At that point it still was in pretty good shape; I probably could have gotten another 5-10K out of it, but I didn't want to wait until it was really shot. Ed

Well over 40k out of my Z1R'S 630 pitch Did'O'ring and still going .

I get 50,000 miles out of a chain. You must lube often though. By this time the countershaft sprocket is pretty visibly worn.

Nelson wrote:
How many miles are you guys getting on chains?

Depends on chain quality and maintenance. A typical chain with indifferent maintenance maybe 10k miles. My original chain went maybe 10k. A really good chain with good maintenance might go 25k.

Those are some high miles. I'm impressed. Thanks for the feedback. Anybody else?

I think city riding eats up chains from the constant torquing on them. More cruising miles will extend mileage significantly. Letting the sprockets get bad will also eat up a chain.

bountyhunter wrote: ... Letting the sprockets get bad will also eat up a chain.

Absolutely! Replacing the chain without replacing the sprockets is IMO a waste of money. They wear together so old sprockets will prematurely wear out a chain and vise versa. Ed

A roller chain is good for about 10-12K depending on sprocket sizes and power of engine. An "O" ring chain can last 20-30K if taken care of properly.

Have to agree with all replied no doubt...

One more variable to add... Depends on you, the rider...
Translation, just cruising, normal accelerations through the gears or winding her up, twisting her hard, high rpm downshifting for increased breaking etc....

All comes into the equations of how long your sprockets/chain is going to last...

Same time, 630 O-ring chain, wholly crap that is one tough sonsabitch..... :blink: :woohoo:
Cleaned the chain of all metal particles, re-lubed, still use it with 0% issues... Damn thing didn't even stretch....

CC sprocket fell off while riding... Cut through casing like a Chain-Saw through butter....:pinch:

Also- A 530 chain will last longer than a 630 chain. There is more contact area on a 530 than a 630.

You selling chains now as well Otto?.... :whistle: :laugh: