Need a new OEM chain

Hi everyone, I need to put my 2006 Interceptor into a shop to get the chain and sprockets replaced, but I want to buy the parts and just bring them to the mechanic. I am looking at bikebandit at the OEM components, but for the chain, I see two different ones listed:
1. - CHAIN SET, DRIVE
(DID50 112-120L) (DAIDO) (STANDARD LINK 110L),AC 2AC 06405-MZ1-P01 242.43

and

2. - *40540-MZ1-317
(RK50-112-120L) (RK EXCEL) (STANDARD LINK 110L),AC 2AC 40540-MZ1-317 444.91

I am assuming those are two different chains that come from OEM, but what is the difference? Should I just get more expensive and assume it is better? I couldn't find comparison based on part numbers.

Thanks for your help!

 

If it was me I'd by the DID, but I wouldn't buy OEM. I'd buy from an aftermarket vendor. You should be able to pick up a good DID chain for around $125-$140.

 

Yup, aftermarket. Just bought a set from sprocketcenter.com They have an OEM option for chain. Much cheaper. I went with the 17 x 45 and DID 520 X-ring. Larger sprockets are easier on the chain.

 

17-43 would have been better, it may be to low, I am running a 16-45 and that is close to perfect, next time I go with stock gearing 16-43,

 

Yup .... agreed!

I replaced the chain on my last VFR with the DID 530 VX Pro-Street X-Ring Chain (2002 6th Gen)

I went with stock gearing. I'm all highspeed / highway as I commute about 160-170km's round trip every day from the country into the outskirts of the big city.

 

I went with the 17-45 because it is +1.5% on speed and -1.5% on torque from stock, where as the 17-43 is +6.3% on speed and -6.3% on torque. I didn't want to lose out on 6.3% torque but I wanted the rpm's a smidge lower. A 16-45 is -4.4% on speed and +4.4% on torque from stock. I have a track bike for going fast. I used this website as a reference:

http://www.sprocketcalculator.com/

 

that speed chart is wrong on a 2006 vfr

 

Doesn't matter what bike it is. It just compares stock sprocket combo to optional sprocket combinations. If you are unsure of it, you could look up diamond chains website or calculate sprocket ratios. This isn't rocket science. Please, do explain how it does not relate to a VFR.

 

OEM sprockets are hella expensive. You can grab OEM sized JT Sprockets off amazon for like half the price Honda wants. Whatever chain you want.

You can find your bike's stock gearing and part #'s here.

http://www.jtsprockets.com/catalogue

 

A quick note ... the OEM front sprocket is worth the money if you're staying stock.

It has a rubber coated surface on the sides that dampen it and reduce vibrations. It's noticeable.

 

That's debatable, I never noticed any difference between stock and aftermarket countershaft sprocket. Some notice a difference, and some don't. Not worth the price difference to me, but I'm a cheapskate. :beguiled:

 

Yeah, I didn't notice the change. But then again between aftermarket exhaust and wind noise, who knows...... :noidea:

 

Funny how some will feel vibration and some won't. My son does not feel the effects of a missing wheel weight on the front of his civic yet I feel like the car is shaking apart.

The last several chains and sprockets I have gotten for mine have been from the Sprocket Center. I have been using DID with the X ring. OEM specs. I will let everyone else consume far to much time and effort getting miniscule performance improvements by using sometbing other than what was designed for the bike. Maybe next time I will follow Jeff's lead and go back to OEM front sprocket and see if I notice the difference. But as it is, I am not noticing anything that is bothersome.

 

I noticed a huge difference ... but I'm always listening and feeling for changes in the bike at all times and am sensitive to it.

Maybe it's because I spend so much time in the saddle putting 20,000+ km's per year on a bike? (I want to say last year did closer to 30K??)

 

I agree with Jeff that the rubber-damped OEM front sprocket is worth the extra $$ cuz it's quieter, with less vibration.

 

I would say the rubber has to make a difference

 

Someone should have told your daddy that.

 

This thread was just what I was looking for! Just ordered a DID kit from sprocketcenter. Thanks

 

This is very good advice. Been there, done that.