
Chain, Belt or Drive Shaft?
We receive many questions from customers about the best final drive system. Should you choose a chain, drive shaft, or belt system? Each one of these systems offers both pros and cons, and each one excels in different uses and environments. Let’s look at the different options.
- Pros
- Least power loss between the engine and the rear wheel of all the drive systems (less inherent friction)
- Easy to adjust final drive ratios (front and rear sprockets can easily be changed)
- Individual components can be changed
- Chains can be threaded through braced swing-arms
- Cons
- High level of maintenance (chain must be lubed frequently)
- Chains and sprockets suffer from wear and must be replaced at varying intervals
- Chain lube prone to making a mess on the rear rim and countershaft area
- Pros
- Low maintenance once properly adjusted
- Lightweight
- Quiet operation
- Minimal frictional losses between the engine and the rear wheel (more than a chain, less than a drive shaft)
- No lubricants means no mess
- Cons
- Can be expensive to replace
- Prone to damage from road debris
- Cannot make as tight a turn around the countershaft as a chain can
- Final drive ratio adjustments are limited to drive sprocket availability
- Typically do not work well in racing and extremely high horsepower applications
- Pros
- Extremely low maintenance levels
- Quiet operation
- Sealed lubricants means no mess
- Cons
- When not properly engineered, drive shafts can cause a jacking or squatting effect under acceleration or braking
- Final drive seals can leak
- Can be expensive to repair failures
- The most frictional losses between the engine and the rear wheel of any drive system
- Can add significant additional weight to the motorcycle
- With few exceptions, final drive ratios cannot be adjusted
The pros and cons of each drive system should be weighed in when purchasing your new motorcycle.