You’ll agree with me that riding a motorcycle comes with lots of responsibilities such as maintenance. It’s nice, of course, riding past traffic on the high way or riding in the wilderness. However, it starts to be cumbersome the moment you encounter a broken chain or sprocket. That signals the need for the best motorcycle chain.

In my years of riding motorcycles, I’ve come across lots of motorcycle chains: some are good quality and others are just mediocre typically a no-go area. I will, therefore, introduce the top 7 motorcycle chains to consider for your next purchase.

Best Motorcycle Chains on the Market April, 2020

Here’s a compilation of the top motorcycle chains on the market. These products are from reputable brands. Also noteworthy is their features hence they became long-time favorites of enthusiastic riders. Starting off the list is the RK Racing Chain.
The best chain makes life easier when riding the motorbike. Amongst others, it helps with efficient power transmission. A smooth ride goes with the proper quality of the chain. This means you have to pay attention to these chains.

I’ve included the buyer’s guide at the end. This will help you make informed decisions. Furthermore, if you are at a loss with the choice please check out my Motorcycle Chain Size Chart, hope you enjoy it!
Buying a motorcycle chain can be daunting. You have to weigh the advantages of O-ring, X-ring and standard rings based on their features. Let me save you costs of running around or buying substandard chains.

1. RK Racing 520-SO-120 – O-Ring chain

Are you hunting for reputable chain brands? RK Racing O-ring Chain could be your best buy. It has the best value for money for enthusiasts in motorcycle racing.

Chains get loosened or broken, and so that needs a proper replacement with quality chains. Having a mediocre chain could compromise the longevity of your sprockets hence I suggest considering this chain. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by customers, it is an impressive 520 motorcycle chain.

The chain is made of durable heat-treated carbon-steel, which can last you for thousands of miles before you need to change. What I like with O-ring chains is less maintenance. That’s better than the old standard models.

Any idea of how to get started to install this chain using the aforementioned set? Simply loosen the sprocket nut then unscrew the bolt at the bottom of the chain press tool and put the spring on the pin located inside the tool. Nonetheless, instructions will be more explicit. You do not really have to be a tech guru. By following the instructions you can excel.

RK Racing was designed for serious motorcyclists. Over the past 25 years, the brand has been a favorite for FIM World Championship teams. This must be due to is quality and reputability. It comes with solid bushings and rollers ꟷall these add to the durability of the chain.

Before I forget, this chain has a tensile strength of 7700 pounds. While this may not be the best on the market, it is, nonetheless, one of the impressive tensile strengths to withstand higher loads. Tensile strength is perhaps the single most important consideration of the bike’s chain. It tells you how much load can your bike bear. Most motorcycles rate above 8000 of the tensile strength.

Due to hi-carbon steel components, this chain can survive unfavorable corrosive environments. I have not seen anything about the warranty for this chain. But that’s not a downside to buying the chain.

2. DID 520ERV3-120 Gold Chain – Gold X-Ring chain

From 23 customer reviews, the DID Gold Chain has received 4.9 rating out of 5 stars. This is evident enough of how effective the chain is. You might be wondering why it costs more than the preceding O-ring chain while they have the same links. Well, it goes back to the overall features.

This gold-coated chain is an X-ring model, which is undoubtedly the best when compared to the O-ring and the standard chains hence its price. It has the superior strength with a tensile strength rated at 8660 pounds. That’s how sturdy it is to endure heavy loads put on the bike. If you anticipate holding heavy loads, I suggest considering this chain.

Furthermore, on the features, this gold-chain halves the friction and provides a long-life. Compared with the standard chain under the same conditions, the DID X-ring can last 31 times longer. The X-rings reduce the metal-on-metal friction that is experienced by standard chains. On top of that, the chain gives maximum engine displacement of 750cc.

Riding in humid areas? Do not forget to consider the impact of corrosion on your chains. Both the sprockets and the chains could be susceptible to corrosions. With this X-ring, however, you are safe. Gold is not prone to such damages in corrosive environments. It will surely last long.

Installing this motorcycle chain shouldn’t be cumbersome at all with clear instructions provided. The master link is provided.

3. NICHE Gold 525 X-Ring Chain

The Niche Gold Master Link is a long drive chain for bikes, great for bikes and made to hold up under extreme conditions. While many of its features are similar to what one would find on any drive chain of the same standard, there are a few tricks of this brand’s sleeve. Take the clip and master link for example. With it, you can quickly take off the excess chain to make it properly fit your bike. That’s not to say that some of the products are made at a good size for your bike already.

Modifying the Chain to fit your Bike

You may not even need to do this on some models. But if you do, it’s easy enough for beginners to figure out without relying on others to help them. Minimal adjusting is needed once you’ve got it hooked up. Check it periodically and you’ll find that few chains will need to be taken off over a long time. Be sure to keep it properly lubricated to extend its life to the max. The X-Ring drive chain is built to keep your wheels rotating at fast speeds without wearing down too fast.

Each drive chain sold by the company comes with a small bottle of lubricating oil for you to place on the metal before installing it on your bike. Be careful with it to avoid spilling the oil out; it’s quite easy to damage. If you can do this, then you’ll find that the Niche Gold Drive Chain is stellar in performance and works as advertised.

4. RK Racing Chain GB520MXU-120 – Off-Road Motorcycle Chain

Back to the RK racking Chain again. You probably have come across several of these products before. RK Racing Chain GB520MXU-120 gives you the best value for money.

It is an UW-ring and also comes with the master link meaning there is no need to purchase one separately. What else am I leaving out?

Performance wise, this chain does its job in enhancing your ride in all types of roads. Coming with gold plates, corrosive environments will not be a match to this motorcycle chain. Many chains when exposed to corrosive environments they wear out quickly. This is mainly due to a poor quality of materials. With this motorcycle chain, you get quality pins, rollers, and bushings.

All the pins are 4-point riveted. This enhances the security of the pins. It also avoids unnecessary stretching of the chain.

Also, worth considering about this motorcycle chain is its tensile strength. This feature indicates the overall weight that the chain can bear.

5. JT Sprockets Steel 120-Link 525 X1R – Best 525 Chain

Unlike other X-rings, this model is one of the most affordable X-rings. Do not be fooled by its price tag and think it is one of the mediocre products. It isn’t! With my experience in riding motorcycles, I would be able to tell if a certain chain is a hoax.

JT Sprockets Steel Chain was designed for heavy-duty motorcycles using cutting edge technology. The company had durability and maximum strength in mind when making the chain. This makes it best-suited to both road and off-road usage.

To ensure uniform durability, I would suggest you consider the JTR1304.38 38T Steel Rear Sprocket. The chain and the sprockets often wear simultaneously, and so replacing one can leave the other vulnerable.

With the tensile strength of 8930 pounds, this chain is truly a heavy-duty choice. Finding an X-ring chain with such a tensile strength yet still offers the cheapest price seems a bit awkward I know. But, judging by the performance and design, I have no doubts. However, I do not see any gold-plates, which then make the chain less attractive. Anyway, do you care about the aesthetic appeal or strength? If the latter then you need not worry.

The chain’s X-ring seals will yield less friction, thus improving the power flow of your bike than the O-rings and the standard chains. It also comes with quad riveted pins to enhance the strength of the rivet so that no amount of force could compromise your chain.

The fact that this chain looks somehow unattractive has to do with its steel alloys. But, as I said, strength is the most important consideration. Unless you are concerned about the beauty then you will consider the gold-plated chains which also perform well in corrosion resistance.

I always check the warranty of the product, but I couldn’t see any stated figures in this product. Nonetheless, that’s not a deal-breaker.

6. DID 520VX2-120 X-Ring Chain – Best Motocross Chain

The DID brand is one of the most reputable brands on the market. This X-ring model is evident in the best quality the brand offers.

Looking for a quicker response to your motorcycle? The DID X-Ring Chain could be your best buy. It provides maximum engine displacement of 750cc. But its price does not really correspond with its feature offerings. One would expect it to be too costly since a majority of X-rings are indeed costly. However, you shouldn’t be fooled by this price and think the product is substandard.

Compared with the standard chain in similar conditions, this X-ring chain lasts about 35 times longer. It also outshines the O-ring with strength, durability, and convenience. The downside is 120 links long. If it happens that it is too long, consider getting the D.I.D KM500R Chain Cut and Rivet Tool. The tool is designed to cut a variety of chain sizes: 520, 525, 530 and 532.

The tensile strength is rated at 8210, which is also a great takeaway for those accustomed to putting heavy loads on their motorcycles. A typical tensile strength should be over 8000 pounds.

7. EK Chain 525 SRX2 Quadra – Best Sport Bike Chain

EK Chain is also a worth-considering motorcycle chain. It is a product of Japan, and we know Japan as the powerhouse of popular machinery. Remember the famous Yamaha, Toyota, and Suzuki brands? One would, therefore, expect the same quality from any product emerging from that country.

The chain is made of quality materials thus it will last for a long time. Its x-rings reduce friction to enhance a natural flow of your wheels. Make sure the sprockets are still up to the best quality as well. Many motorists overlook the need to renew the sprockets as well.

Oftentimes, the chain and the sprockets wear simultaneously. Replacing only the chain may subject it to damages. The teeth of the sprockets might have chipped so they may not hold the chains properly.

This chain is a great buy with a tensile strength of 9000 pounds. How many affordable X-ring chains have you found having a tensile strength of this magnitude? Very few I guess! Installing a chain is easy. As long as you have the SLJ Master Link and the wrench then you’re one step closer to installing the chain.

8. CRF450R Pro Taper 520 MX Chain – Non-Sealed Motorcycle Chain

If you are into gold-plated like me then this could be your best buy. But, it is a non-sealed chain, meaning it requires regular maintenance. Well, that is the downside of the chain. It’s not a big deal though if you are accustomed to maintaining your motorcycle on a regular basis. If not, then look for the sealed O-ring and X-ring models.

Pro Taper 520 MX Chain is a heavy-duty chain designed for modern 4-stroke motorcycles and ATVs. It embraces the highest level of Pro Taper quality. Having this chain will enhance your bike’s performance in both road and off-road applications.

Included with your purchase is the clip-style master link which connects the chains seamlessly. In case you notice the chain is longer than your factory chain, you can easily cut it with the chain breaker. It shouldn’t take you the entire day to install this chain.

The chain was designed for 125 to 530cc applications. It has a tensile strength of 8800 pounds, which I find very impressive for heavy loads. Also, the overall design of the chain is high quality with the high-strength steel alloy materials.

Buyer’s Guide for the Motorcycle Chain

Now that we’re done with the reviews, let’s embark on a journey to guide you on how to help you choose the best motorcycle chain. These chains come in a variety of designs and other configurations. Thus, you need awareness when making any purchases.

Contents:

What’s the right chain size to choose?

It may be confusing to buy the right size especially if it’s the first time. Usually, the sizes of these chains are mentioned per the pitch and the length. You’ve probably seen numbers such as 520, 530 and 120 in the product description and unaware of what it means. The numbers 520, 525, 530, etc. are referred to as the pitch, which is the distance between the pins of the chain. These numbers should help you choose the right size of your chain. Or you can simply use my chain size chart.

What are the best features to look at when buying chains?

Typically, you would look at the kind of the chain if it fits your bike or has the best quality. We often ride bikes in unfavorable conditions. That being said, any compromise of the best quality can invite the danger to your riding experience.

Build materials

The first feature I would like to advise you with is to check the finish, in fact, the build materials. Because the chains are often exposed to inclement climates, you have to get the chain that is weather-resistant and corrosion-resistant. Gold plated chains excel in this area. Even other materials like steel do well in corrosion resistance.
Avoid low-quality metals on your chains as that could compromise your safety. When riding in off-road situations most of the time, you have to consider investing in materials of premium-quality such as specially heat-treated carbon steel alloys and gold plates. They offer the best durability as well as prevention against corrosion.

Tensile strength

The other feature to check is the configurations such as the tensile strength. This tells you how much load the chain can endure. The typical tensile strength exceeds 8000 pounds. If you’re accustomed to subjecting the chain to loads, then consider the higher tensile strengths to avoid any damage.

I have a chain that has a tensile strength below 8000 pounds. That does not necessarily mean it is the best choice. It’s only a matter of loads on the chain. The overall features of the chain are impressive.

Ease of installation

If you are new to motorcycle maintenance, you may find it hard to install the chain. This short YouTube video should help you install both the sprocket and the chain. Even your installation manual can help you achieve that. You can also rely on the experienced motorcyclists for advice on how to install with ease.

A word of advice is that, avoid purchasing standard chains if you hate the installation part. You might find yourself having to install several times in a year.

Price

The price is also an important consideration when buying motorcycle chains. However, you should not be fooled by cheaper prices thinking that it the best quality. Some chains come at lower prices and I used to misinterpret that as mediocre. First, check the features before considering the price.

In my products, I have carefully selected the most affordable yet high-quality chains.

What type of motorcycle chain should I choose? O-ring, X-ring or standard chains?

Now, this is the most important one. If you’ve been riding motorcycles, you’re probably aware of the non-sealed standard chains. The challenge with these ones is that they need regular maintenance. They do not preserve the lubricant and so you need to familiarize yourself with the maintenance guide. As thus, the chain ends up being exposed to rapid wear. The sprocket, too, ends up wearing out, and all these are costly. The standard chains are, nonetheless, good but offer disadvantages of durability.

The O-ring, on the other hand, provides better preservation of the lubricant. You will notice the O-rings between the pins. Such chains last longer and provide reduced friction, thus enhance your riding experience. The X-ring chains are the most efficient among the three. The retain lubricant better than the O-ring and the standard chains. However, they come at a cost. The O-ring and the X-ring also need maintenance but it is minimal.

How do I know if it’s time to change my motorcycle chain?

To avoid unexpected breakage of your chain, you need to know signs of change. Unlike vehicles with digital displays that alert you to change a certain part, motorcycle chain change can be confusing. You need to monitor that.

If you see some space created when pulling the chain at the rear sprocket, it is the time to change. If you feel it is loose when you adjust it, then it’s time to change. Also, if you see some visible breaks in the sprockets’ teeth, it could be time to change both. Both the sprocket and the chain wear simultaneously, so you have to change them at the same time.

How can I prevent chain breakage?

Like any other part of your motorcycle, it is inevitable that someday it may need replacement. The frequency of replacements, however, depends on the quality and the care you give. Substandard build-materials will, of course, break quickly. You need to be careful when selecting the motorcycle chain. I reassure you that all the products I have chosen are of top-notch quality. They’ve received many ratings from customers.

The other important consideration to avoid breakage is to care for your chain. Please ensure that you use the right motorcycle chain lube. There is an article I wrote specifically about motorcycle chain lubes; you may have a look to properly care about the chain.

Also noteworthy is how you ride. Off-road rides require heavy-duty chains.