Replacement Chain Suggestions

I'm going to pick up a new chain for my 08 TE510 and would appreciate any recommendations on type and source.

Anyone know the size and number of links in the stock length chain?

is there a chain thats better/best for the te510 and or te610??? i dont know chains.

For baja racing the standard for many years was the ERV2 from DID. It was a very strong chain that was often used on big fast street bikes, etc. It also worked great for high speed, high horsepower bikes like a modified XR650. It is an o ring chain.

DID now makes a X ring chain that more or less replaces it. The ERV3.
IMO this is the gold standard chain.

Its more expensive than many others, and since its an X ring its a bit wider than some chains (and that can occasionally be an issue) but it simply wont stretch after initial break in, wont break, uses a riveted link, and since its an X ring it uses less hp than O rings.

There are lots of really great chains, and there are different criteria for picking a chain (cost, clip vs. rivet, weight, hp loss, etc.) for different types of riding. But for my way of thinking and my type of riding/racing the ERV3 from DID is the best choice for guys with big bikes. Not saying its the best choice for a budget conscious new rider on a TE250...

DID ERV3 chain with Ironman rear sprockets and an AFAM up front--usually wont need to be replaced. Ever. No problem doing 20,000 miles....if you run it dry with just WD40 after each cleaning.

Just one guys perspective on chains. I know there are other riders who have lots of success with other chains.

Ditto on the DID ERV3 X-ring. I changed out my 950's OEM driveline components 12K miles ago. Even with the big twin's torque its only ever been adjusted a couple of times.

I installed the same chain on my TE510 soon after purchase.

Is the "smart chain" and titanium sprocket setup from Krause Racing (Sidewinder) worth a hoot or just expensive Ti bling? Seems good for a once in lifetime of the bike type part if the claims are true unless you swap sprockets all the time for conditions. I know the type of riding will affect chain/sprockets life span significantly.

ya get what ya pay for,,,RK, DID, Regina etc,,,all build excellent chains ,,somewhere out there there is a hardnesss chart that I have seen comparing all the chains, but for sure the one that MK mentioned is right up there at the top. As for me (if not getting a free KTM OEM oringer) will spend the bucks and get a top of the line name brand chain, its one less thing to worry about.

Here is a good read.

http://www.quality-cycle.com/truth_about_motorcycle_chains.htm

good read for info but it too is of course biased in its views,,for a dealer of DID and RK (which are both great chain mfgrs),funny how Regina has more world road racing championships than all the other chains yet it is not good enough,,,Italians don't have the same quality control criteria as the the Japs,,,,,,hmm when was the last time a Japanese car or motor won a formula one race hmmm and Moto GP seems Italian bikes are the only thing competing against the Japanese bikes. KTM comes oem with Regina chains ,,they seem to handle themselves quite well in MX and especially off road.

I got off ,,,, rail there a little bit. They all make good and great chains choose your brand and you won't be disappointed with any of them. Im just very tired of our US way of being blinded by Japanese tech (not very innovative by the way most has been done before, by US, Italy, France Ger etc),,,,has anyone looked at their welds and hardware quality lately,,,yes they build good machines,,but man they so vanilla and they just love those DOHC 4 valve stickers on them.
basta! I need to go dial in my son's most excellent Suzuki!!! brakes great,handles great, looks good,,, and works well,,,,,,,,,,,only its like one of the manga automatons without any soul...... R (in rare form today)

Once bitten, twice shy. They got me a while back on a very expensive set up. The said it would last forever, and not only did it weigh a ton, but it wore out in one rider like some sort of cheap ebay chain. Then they blew me off when I contacted them about it, so I'll never buy from them again.

The best chain I've found is the chrome EK 520MVX X-RING chain. It's a great chain in any color, but the chrome adds to it's durability. I've got over 15 hours on the one on my 510 and it looks like new and has yet to be adjusted. I didn't even lube it after the last wash.

Its been covered before--but while we are going on about chains:

I dont wax or lube my chains. I wash my bike with a pressure washer, then hit all metal surfaces with WD40, spnning the chain while i spray it with the WD.

Started doing that on all my bikes 7-8 years ago and its worked great.

The chain/sprockets seem to wear a lot longer since there is no wax or lube to pick up dirt or sand and then grind everything.

Never had any issues with WD and the o/x ring at all.

I know others have their 'way' with chain care and its all good, just sharing whats worked great for me.

IMO chain wax and chain lube are hold overs from the days before sealed chains. They do more harm than good in some ways at this point.

could someone tell me the number of links for a 08 TE510?

I've searched the owners manual and website pdb with no luck.

My bike is not at my residence now so I can't just go out and count the links
like I want to.

I've had a DID ATV Gold xring, slightly thicker plates and cheaper than VM. Ran it 4k miles. Now have EK SRX, just as well built as DID. I would buy either again, the EK is less money at ~$80 for 116 links with rivet link.

Anyone know what comes stock on the 08 TE? Is it a CZ? I'm trying to track down a rivet link for it.

Unfortunately, the parts manual lists 12 part #s for the chain, DID, Regina and CZ. Only one of the listings indicate (450-510).

The notes field says W=TE, A=alternate, T=TXC C=TC.

My chain has no markings on it. So it's either a DID or the alternate CZ. ? Hopefully my dealer will recognize it and have a matching rivet link.

...I took another close look at the chain and discovered some, like every 10th, of the links are marked. It's a CZ 520 ORM.

112 or 114 links?

I didn't count, I always buy a 120 to be safe and cut it down to accommodate whatever gearing I'm running.

Stock length on the 08 TE510 is 112 links.

I purchased a DID 520VM Gold in 114 links to accomodate the 15 tooth counter I like to run for some of my ride terrain. In addition I purchased a clip DID 520VM master link and a Tusk master link chain press to make the install a bit easier.

The 14/47 combo will also work with the 114 link 520 chain, however the axle is near the 2nd to the last line in the back of the slots.

Halls had Husky OEM 47 sprockets on sale for ~$25 for those that need one.

I think I posted this in another forum here at the Cafe but it's worth repeating.

I've had very good results with AFAM sprockets.

As far as chains go, I agree everybody is manufacturing a high-quality chain these days as long as you're not going after an entry-level chain.

Also, I agree with Mike....chain wax is discouraged these days.

Call Nate at Dirt Tricks. They usually have great deals on Regina o-ring chains and of course their Ironman sprockets that last forever.