Do I NEED to change sprockets when changing my chain?

I know it's a good idea but moneys tight! I don't have new sprockets to compare to my old ones but they look fine to me, even with 20k on them

 

Post detailed pics

 

Can you hold off on the new chain until you can manage a set of sprockets? If not then you could flip the sprockets over.

 

Beware that the new chain will wear a lot faster without new sprockets.
Often you can buy a kit, DID chain and JT sprockets together.
Such a kit is a lot cheaper then buying all separate.

Look for those kits, they are mostly not much more expensive as only a chain.

 

It's not needed unless the sprockets are looking pretty bad, or the chain is worn out. A lot can depend on how well, and frequently, you oil your chain. A well maintained chain will leave sprockets in much better shape when it reaches the end of it's days. I typically change my sprockets with every other chain, and I usually get 20,000-25,000 miles out of a chain. I use a chain oiler rather than spray can lube, so YMMV. Literally.

 

I never clean my chain, just lubricate it with white-spray when it's shining silver.
Nothing else, my chain does between 30 and 40000Km.
Never had any problems, and I ride for more then 30 years this way doing between 10 and 15000Km a year.

A chainset is about 150 bucks and not worth so much trouble, it will last just as long.
Most forget that the main lubrication is inside the chain and sealed by O/X/Y-rings.

Some boil the chain to clean it and by doing so they kill the rings, as such the chain is killed for sure.

 

Oil is more the sprockets than the chain.

 

trying to post a pic!

Chain is toast do sure! Not even gonna ride it again on that one. I been planning on getting the kit and going +2 on the rear. Which I still wanna do but there's always some kinda shit that has to happen! It's not just the money. It's also fricken gorgeous outside, I've got a 5 day weekend and I wanna ride!!! Local bike shop has a did xring in stock but would have to order the sprockets.

Also, the guy at the local shop says I can't do any better than the stock front sprocket, vibration damping and such. Any truth to that?

 

I replaced my front sprocket with an aftermarket and noticed no difference in chain noise/vibration. But some people may feel differently. The change to a 45 tooth on the rear is an excellent idea. That's what I did and you'll really like the way the bike feels.

 

Same here, using DID-chain and JT-sprockets, works fine for me.

 

Another five days on your current setup is not going to make the universe collapse unless both sprockets snd the chain are really toast.

Aftermarket kits are available online. In this case IMO, a complete stock kit is going to be fewer pesos that the price of gearing down a couple of teeth, which is something you'll be stuck with if you don't like the results'.

Vibration? I would be questioning that. Sounds like more a sales pitch than anything else.

Supporting local dealerships is a good thing until the BS starts. Some places, without customers even noticing, have installed video acquisition with facial recognition that categorizes customers in two major divisions. Mullet and non-Mullet.

 

The OEM front sproket has some rubber dampners that aftermarket ones do not. They help minimize vibration.

 

20k sprockets will be far from fine. Sorry money is tight, but you'll be short changing yourself by not replacing both C & S.
I dribble a little Scotoiler oil on the chain when I return home...wipe of the excess before I go out the next time.
Every now and again I use Wurth brake cleaner pointed at the side of the chain links, dry, then Scotoil.
Clean lightly oiled chain, happy O rings and 20-25k miles

 

From the pic that sprocket is shot I would not run a new chain on it.

 

Chain technology has come a long way in a relatively short time. The same could be said for some tires. Stock chains even on great bikes just a few years back sucked.

For info on how to determine wear on both chains and sprockets RTFM and on this particular one. Grey is spot on.. That puppy is toast.

 

as an engineer, change them as a set