Chains

What Are Drive Chains and Why Do They Matter?

The drive chain is one of the most mechanically critical components on any chain-driven motorcycle, ATV, or powersports machine. Positioned between the engine's countershaft sprocket and the rear wheel sprocket, the drive chain is the literal link that transfers engine power to the ground. Without a properly functioning chain, all the horsepower your engine produces simply cannot reach the rear wheel — making chain selection and maintenance one of the highest-impact decisions a rider can make.

Drive chains are engineered around several key specifications: pitch (the distance between pins, such as 420, 520, or 530), number of links, and sealing technology. The right combination depends on your engine's displacement, power output, and intended use — whether that's a lightweight dirt bike, a mid-range adventure tourer, or a high-horsepower sport bike.

Types of Drive Chains

Modern drive chains come in a range of seal types, each offering a different balance of friction, longevity, and maintenance needs:

• Standard (Non-Sealed) Chains — Lower cost, lighter weight, but require more frequent cleaning and lubrication. Common on smaller-displacement and motocross applications.
• O-Ring Chains — Feature rubber O-ring seals between inner and outer link plates to retain factory grease around the pin-bushing interface. Significantly longer service life than non-sealed chains.
• X-Ring Chains — An evolution of the O-ring design, X-rings (and similar profiles like RX-rings or XW-rings) use a four-lip cross-sectional profile to reduce friction while providing even better sealing and lubrication retention.
• U-Ring Chains — A newer seal profile providing excellent sealing with reduced friction compared to traditional O-rings, bridging the gap between O-ring durability and X-ring efficiency.

What to Consider When Buying a Drive Chain

Getting the right chain starts with matching the correct pitch and link count to your specific make, model, and year. Beyond that, consider your riding environment — sealed chains are strongly preferred for street and trail riding where consistent maintenance is difficult, while non-sealed chains may suit competitive motocross where frequent replacement is expected. Tensile strength ratings are equally important: higher-displacement, high-horsepower machines demand chains with significantly higher load ratings to handle acceleration forces without premature stretch or failure.

Regular inspection is key regardless of which chain you choose. Signs of wear include visible stretching (measured against the manufacturer's maximum stretch specification), tight or stiff links, and worn or hooked sprocket teeth. A worn chain should always be replaced alongside the drive and driven sprockets — mixing a new chain with worn sprockets accelerates wear on both components.

Top Drive Chain Brands

RK Chain is one of the most recognized names in motorcycle drive chains. RK's reputation for quality drive chains has led to partnerships with Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and other manufacturers, with RK chains included as OEM parts on many dirt bike and sport bike models. Their lineup spans a wide range of performance tiers — all RK chains are pre-stressed and pre-stretched for great performance right out of the box with minimal adjustments needed. At the top of their range, the ZXW, XRE, and EXW series feature triple barrier protection plus anti-debris protection, with two lubrication pools to guard against high-speed abrasion.

JT Sprockets is a globally respected brand best known for its extensive catalog of sprockets, but also offers a complementary line of drive chains. JT Sprockets and chains are a leading global brand for motorcycles and ATVs, utilizing only the finest raw materials and cutting-edge technology to produce replacement sprockets and chains designed to meet or exceed the specifications required for all modern motorcycles, including street, motocross, enduro, off-road, and ATVs. Riders who already rely on JT sprockets will find their chains a natural match for a coordinated drivetrain replacement.