On other bikes, there's a rubber damper between the rear sprocket carrier and the rear wheel. The VFR setup appears to be a little different (just a little). Do these bikes have a cush drive? If so, where is the damper located? If not, what kind of life do y'all get out of a 530 drive chain? Thanks.
Yup they all have cush drive. The rubber molded damper is located behind the sprocket mount in the wheel hub. The sprocket drives the 'cover' which drives the rubber which drives the hub. there is a nice pic in the service manual.