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Chain Recommendation?


betoney

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I am due for a new chain. Any recommendations on brand or tensile strength?
I usually see EK, RK or D.I. D. They are usually recomended for 1000cc or 1300cc.
Any thoughts are appreciated. I will be buying a full kit from Sprocket Specialists.
 

***2015 Candy Red FJ-09***

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Vortex or EK. Vortex does own EK, but they are not the same chains to my knowledge. I paid oodles of money for a D.I.D once. It died more quick than a eBay cheapo.
 
I was just about to do a price comparison on Vortex to sprocket specialists and I can't seem to find stuff for our bike's on sprocket specialists. Vortex I had to select 2016 to find the FJ, but after that it was easy peasy! (Vortex sprocket / chain set would run ~$237).

'15 FJ09

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I’ve always used DID. Always got good life from m them. I used an EK once but sold the bike before I put to many miles on the chain. I do like EK’s screw type masterlink.

Let’s go Brandon

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Another vote for DID. I got 525 VX for my recent replacement. First chain I've replaced on the FJ, but I've used DID on past bikes, and usually get 17-20k out of them.
 
Update: 15.3k miles later, and I've got a few tight spots and torn rings. There was some extended riding in the rain a few weeks ago that probably contributed to the early demise, but I was hoping for more.
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Another vote for DID. I got 525 VX for my recent replacement. First chain I've replaced on the FJ, but I've used DID on past bikes, and usually get 17-20k out of them.
I am at 18,500 now and its feeling a bit sloppy.  Time to get it replaced before Summer road trips. 

***2015 Candy Red FJ-09***

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Guest highplainsrider
I also installed a DID 525VX chain. I can’t say anything about longevity yet, but it the bike feels a lot smoother with a new chain and sprockets. Went with the gold and black chain to make a visual inspection a little easier than with the natural colored chain. I bought the 112 link chain from Sprocket Center and am running an OEM 16t sprocket with the dampener up front and a 47t sprocket on the rear.
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I also installed a DID 525VX chain. I can’t say anything about longevity yet, but it the bike feels a lot smoother with a new chain and sprockets. Went with the gold and black chain to make a visual inspection a little easier than with the natural colored chain. I bought the 112 link chain from Sprocket Center and am running an OEM 16t sprocket with the dampener up front and a 47t sprocket on the rear.
I just ordered the exact same thing, Superlite RS7 sprockets - 16/47 DID, gold 525VX chain.  The complete set was $184.
 

***2015 Candy Red FJ-09***

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I just ordered the exact same thing, Superlite RS7 sprockets - 16/47 DID, gold 525VX chain.  The complete set was $184.

Is this the kit you're getting? I see you decided to upsize the rear rather than drop the front... particular reason? I recall you're 15 in the front at the moment (45 rear?). Just curious to know.
Yes, that is the exact kit, with the DID VX gold chain. 
I am currently using the 15 tooth sprocket and LOVE it but have heard that the smaller the C/S sprocket, the more wear you can get on the chain, (tighter turn radius?)  so I opted to go up 2 teeth in the rear instead.  Maybe I am wrong on the chain wear, but I get my info. off the internet...
 
Stock 16/45 ratio is - 2.81
Current ratio with 15/45 is - 3.0
New ratio with 16/47 will be - 2.93
 
The new ratio will be close, within a small percentage of what I am currently using.
 

***2015 Candy Red FJ-09***

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If you can go to a 15T front sprocket... just a plain jane one...less chain vibrations... main reason is to cure a very slight lazy rpm sniffle off idle in 2nd gear and adds to the playfulness of the motor... 1st gear is reserved for noodle delivery service* ? 
 
 
* = secret weapon known as LaunchControl
2012 wr250f - C-class 30+ age group
2015 fz-07- Hordpower Edition-80whp
2015 fj-09- Graves Exhaust w/Woolich tune by 2WDW @120whp
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I am due for a new chain. Any recommendations on brand or tensile strength? I usually see EK, RK or D.I. D. They are usually recomended for 1000cc or 1300cc.
Any thoughts are appreciated. I will be buying a full kit from Sprocket Specialists.

I got the EK and like it just fine!  The OEM chain lasted about 11,000 miles, and the sprockets were still good.  Put the EK on (I did get the version for 1000-1300cc) and promptly left on an almost 10K mile trip.  Never adjusted the chain during the whole trip, and it was only a little loose when I got home (and got it adjusted for the first time).  I also installed a Tutoro chain oiler just before leaving on the trip so I'm sure that contributed to the chain performance.  I now have over 21,000 miles on the EK and it's still doing well.   
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