Chain and Sprocket Recommendation

z0sum · January 18th, 2017, 05:42 AM

So it's about time for me to change my chain and sprocket on my 2008 Kawi 250. It's going to be my first time doing this and I was wondering if you guys could chime in with your knowledge on the following chain and sprocket kits I've found. I mainly want to know which would be the best choice and how reliable are each brand.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...-sprocket-kits

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ring-chain-kit

https://www.d2moto.com/products/2008...5aeBoCLjPw_wcB

These are the 3 options I've found, if there's something better you know of, please let me know. Also, I don't want to spend too much.

The one I'm most curious about are the Volar ones.... The other two seem to have fairly good reputations but I still wonder which is worth more the money. If the Volar is good, they price is the most attractive.

taz · January 18th, 2017, 07:34 AM

top one is an o-ring chain set middle is an x-ring set and the bottom a none o-ring chain. and as for my opinion I would pick the middle one, which is just my opinion but best bang for the buck with the least amount of maintenance.

Triple Jim · January 18th, 2017, 07:44 AM

As important at choosing a good quality set, you should also consider what tooth counts are best suited to your riding. The stock ratio makes starting from a stop very easy for new riders, but engine RPM at higher speeds is pretty buzzy.

Sirref · January 18th, 2017, 03:04 PM

I would go for the X-ring chain, best bang for the buck

Seconded on tooth counts. I tend to switch sprockets around a lot and it makes a huge difference. For street riding a 14t front and a 40t rear is what I liked but I also ride a bit more aggressively, another good option is 15t front and 42t rear which is the generally recommended street gearing.

Go with steel sprockets as well for durability

NinJim · January 18th, 2017, 05:08 PM

No matter what sprockets you select, make sure one has an odd count of teeth and the other is even. This will give you the best wear pattern from both the sprockets and the chain. Always replace all three as a set.

It's an old dirt trick where chains and sprockets wear out very quickly.

Just a thought...

z0sum · January 31st, 2017, 12:21 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys. As far as choosing the tooth count, it doesn't really say when I select the middle link and choose my bike's make, model and year. There doesn't seem to be any option to select it. Is there anyway to know what tooth count I'll be getting if I select the middle link? Or is there another way of buying it you guys would recommend?

Triple Jim · January 31st, 2017, 02:04 PM

That page does give you the manufacturer's part number, and if you search for "did dkk-013" you can find DID's catalog, which shows it to be a 520 VX2 type chain that's 106 links long, a 14t front sprocket, and a 45t rear sprocket.

D.I.D. Catalog: http://www.didchain.com/DID_2016usa_final.pdf

z0sum · February 2nd, 2017, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

That page does give you the manufacturer's part number, and if you search for "did dkk-013" you can find DID's catalog, which shows it to be a 520 VX2 type chain that's 106 links long, a 14t front sprocket, and a 45t rear sprocket.

D.I.D. Catalog: http://www.didchain.com/DID_2016usa_final.pdf

Thanks! So I ended up ordering it.... now... how hard are these things to change? Any guides you guys can recommend?

allanoue · February 2nd, 2017, 11:37 AM

The front sprocket can be a real pain to get loose. Lots on YouTube how to do it

Sirref · February 2nd, 2017, 11:42 AM

^I hate that sprocket so much

Takes a breaker bar for me to get it off

The rear is easy though, just make sure to avoid putting the rotor on the ground while you take it off. Last thing you need is to bend your brake rotor by putting pressure on it the wrong way

January 18th, 2017, 05:42 AM	#1
z0sum ninjette.org member Name: Breh Location: Texas Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 38	Chain and Sprocket Recommendation So it's about time for me to change my chain and sprocket on my 2008 Kawi 250. It's going to be my first time doing this and I was wondering if you guys could chime in with your knowledge on the following chain and sprocket kits I've found. I mainly want to know which would be the best choice and how reliable are each brand. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...-sprocket-kits http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ring-chain-kit https://www.d2moto.com/products/2008...5aeBoCLjPw_wcB These are the 3 options I've found, if there's something better you know of, please let me know. Also, I don't want to spend too much. The one I'm most curious about are the Volar ones.... The other two seem to have fairly good reputations but I still wonder which is worth more the money. If the Volar is good, they price is the most attractive.

January 18th, 2017, 03:04 PM	#4
Sirref Private Joker Name: Ben Location: Towson, MD Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '14	I would go for the X-ring chain, best bang for the buck Seconded on tooth counts. I tend to switch sprockets around a lot and it makes a huge difference. For street riding a 14t front and a 40t rear is what I liked but I also ride a bit more aggressively, another good option is 15t front and 42t rear which is the generally recommended street gearing. Go with steel sprockets as well for durability __________________________________________________ I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see?
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

January 18th, 2017, 05:08 PM	#5
NinJim ninjette.org member Name: Jim Location: Utah Join Date: Apr 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja250-3x; CBR600 & R6 (track bikes); lots of dirt stuff Posts: 25	Old school advice No matter what sprockets you select, make sure one has an odd count of teeth and the other is even. This will give you the best wear pattern from both the sprockets and the chain. Always replace all three as a set. It's an old dirt trick where chains and sprockets wear out very quickly. Just a thought...

January 31st, 2017, 02:04 PM	#7
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	That page does give you the manufacturer's part number, and if you search for "did dkk-013" you can find DID's catalog, which shows it to be a 520 VX2 type chain that's 106 links long, a 14t front sprocket, and a 45t rear sprocket. D.I.D. Catalog: http://www.didchain.com/DID_2016usa_final.pdf
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

February 2nd, 2017, 11:37 AM	#9
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	The front sprocket can be a real pain to get loose. Lots on YouTube how to do it __________________________________________________ Keep calm and ride on -Motofool Never quit on a rainy day -ally99

January 18th, 2017, 07:34 AM	#2
taz ???????????????? Name: T Location: no where Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250, 14 ninja 300, 09 1125CR Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '17	top one is an o-ring chain set middle is an x-ring set and the bottom a none o-ring chain. and as for my opinion I would pick the middle one, which is just my opinion but best bang for the buck with the least amount of maintenance.

January 18th, 2017, 07:44 AM	#3
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	As important at choosing a good quality set, you should also consider what tooth counts are best suited to your riding. The stock ratio makes starting from a stop very easy for new riders, but engine RPM at higher speeds is pretty buzzy.

January 31st, 2017, 12:21 PM	#6
z0sum ninjette.org member Name: Breh Location: Texas Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 38	Thanks for the feedback guys. As far as choosing the tooth count, it doesn't really say when I select the middle link and choose my bike's make, model and year. There doesn't seem to be any option to select it. Is there anyway to know what tooth count I'll be getting if I select the middle link? Or is there another way of buying it you guys would recommend?

February 2nd, 2017, 11:42 AM	#10
Sirref Private Joker Name: Ben Location: Towson, MD Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '14	^I hate that sprocket so much Takes a breaker bar for me to get it off The rear is easy though, just make sure to avoid putting the rotor on the ground while you take it off. Last thing you need is to bend your brake rotor by putting pressure on it the wrong way __________________________________________________ I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see?

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