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I'm thinking of getting an o ring chain for my 04 200. Do the o rings keep the lubricant where it is supposed to be? Are they worth the extra money? What is the maintenance like with the o ring chains. What would be a good brand toi buy?

Thanks

David

1. Yes

2. Yes - Outwear typical chains by 400-800 percent depending on the conditions you ride in. IMO

3. I clean the chain when I wash the bike. Warm up the bike after the wash by driving it for 3 or 4 blocks then spray the chain down with WD-40. Next day I spray on some chain lubrication. Work well for me.

4. I like the DID x-rings chains. But many good chains are available.

The rings keep the lube inside, but they still need lube on the plates.

My Sidewinder o-ring has held up well. They have gotten ridiculous on price, though. wsjkawasaki has a DID X-ring and I liked the way it looked.

I went with a non-oring for the first time ever and I'm not disapointed with its wear. It seems to have help up great. After its first stretching I have only adjusted it once. I probably shouldn't have listened to Jaybird but I did and it seems to be going OK.

In my opinion the O-ring chains are the only way to go. No more stopping halfway through a 100 mile turkey run to adjust a rubber band. I went about 300 miles before my first adjustment. I run a D.I.D with stock 13/47 sprockets and did not have to make any mods to the chain guide to run it. It cost me around $55.00. I haven't tried the X-ring, but from what I hear they are even better.

I've allways ran non-oring chains and the wear is basiclly the same you just have to be anal about cleaning and care. Butttt in sandy conditions definitly o-ring.

stick with the standard chain keep it clean and lube it

My standard chain wore out completely in two months. I got a heavy duty RK to replace it and was totally anal about cleaning it. Scrubbed it down wit a wire brush, soaked it in kero then in used motor oil. Let it drip dry, then gave it some Hondaline lube. Didn't last much longer. But, I ride in miserable conditions here in New Hampshire. There is always mud. There is always some sand. A standard chain just doesn't stand a chance in those conditions. I would always have to adjust my chain after every ride.

I now have an RK X-ring ($60 through local ind. shop) and have adjusted it twice in the last 400 miles. No comparison if you ride in the slop like I do.

X-ring is going on my bike as soon as the o-ring chain wears out. IF it ever wears out!

There ya go , If you ride in slop you better o-ring. I very rarely ride in anything but dry dirt conditions. So I get away with it.
But also you may have jinxed yourself when you soaked it in oil.
It tends to not let a good chain lube penetrate, stick and setup tacky, And it gets thrown off and washed out.

2 years and over 2 thousand miles on this X-ring chain I have and the only adjustment was after the initial streach at 3 months/500miles.
I don't do anything but blast it with a pressure washer after every ride.
Jaybird hates that I say this; too bad. That is fact and experiance over his book lerarnin' crapola.
The plates should be lubed but I've never done it. My chain is severly worn from riding on the chain guides. It looks wierd to see a flat spot on each link; like I dragged the chain through a file or something. My sprockets are in absolute perfect condition and look like new except for the oxydation on them. Sprockets and chain were changed at the same time and I recommend a new set of sprockets to go with a new chain just to be good to the chain.

Well...there 'ya have it! Everyone agrees, 'eh?

My last chain was an RK-Xring. It has held up fine. One adjustment in almost two years. It'll be good for another six months or so.

Obviously a whole lot of this is going to depend on your particular preference, your riding style and conditions.

I've talked to riders that have the idea their chain is doing great!!...on for years..holds up to an XR650! ...then they are limping home with countershaft sprocket teeth going 't-i-n-k' as they break off. Somewhere along the line, that setup should have already been replaced!

My particular maintenance plan? Power wash the bike, not paying particular attention to the chain. Wipe it off when I get home. WD-it with clean rag, then spray some teflon based spray. FWIW

I screwed up on my last chain and sprocket set. I got a full Renthal setup. I meant to get the O-ring chain and didn't pay any attention to the box or the invoice after I left the store. I didn't notice it was the standard chain till after I cut it to 110 links Oh well I figured if I kill it, I kill it. I happy to say so far (about 250+ miles) it's holding up GREAT. I only had to adjust it after the first ride to compensate for stretch. It hasn't moved at all since the first adjustment (it better not either for the $80bux I spent). I figured the Renthal chain would match up really well to their sprockets and so far so good.

BTW I ride in south Florida in 85% sand and lots of mud and standing water.