Top gear: Best chain and sprocket upgrades

Published: 14 September 2023 Updated: 16 October 2023

A motorcycle’s chain and sprockets may, at first glance, seem like slightly old-fashioned bicycle technology but are actually one of the most sophisticated bits of kit on your bike.

There are O-rings, X-rings, hard-anodised sprockets, lightweight rear cogs… the list goes on. What’s more, the chain and sprockets will eventually need replacing as the chain stretches and the sprocket teeth wear, particularly if neglected and not maintained properly, and especially on high-performance machines.

When that time comes, there are more options than you might think. You can go for something cheap and cheerful, perhaps a middling, decent quality, ‘like-for-like’ replacement.

Related: Make the job easier with a paddock stand

Or you may be willing to pay for a high quality, lightweight, performance version, a heavy-duty, more durable example, or even ones that offer differing gearing options to improve your bike’s performance.

But what’s currently available? How much do they cost? And what do you get for your money? Here’s our current pick of some of the best…

S-Triple YZF-R125 Chain and Sprocket Kit

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This heavy-duty replacement chain and sprocket kit is one of the cheapest and best rated for Yamaha's hugely popular learner 125, the YZF-R125. It comes with a 14-tooth front and 48-tooth rear sprocket and uses a 132-link heavy-duty 428 chain.

Pros

Great price
Stronger than standard
Standard gearing

Cons

Not best-known brand

Sigma X Ring Chain and Sprocket Kit

Price: 165.67

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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The Sigma X ring chain and sprocket kits are intended as a medium upgrade on your bike's OE equipment and are available for a wide variety of machines, in this case for Ducati's 848.

It comprises Renthal sprockets, including a bronze hard-anodised rear sprocket, in sizes 15-tooth for the front and 39-tooth for the rear, and employs a premium Tsubaki X-ring chain, in this case with a 525 pitch and 98 links.

Pros

Upgrade over standard
Proven brands
Mid-range price

Cons

Sensible rather than startling

AFAM X Ring Chain and Sprocket Upgrade Kit

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Respected chain brand AFAM offer a series of chain/sprocket upgrade kits including this one, which is for Triumph's 1050 Tiger, although most models are also available. It's a complete kit including chain and both sprockets and even includes an Ognibene chain riveter.

The sprockets are the standard gearing 18-tooth front and 44-tooth rear but the chain is a premium Xs-ring extra reinforced 530 Grade 7 type for increased performance and durability and comes in a stylish black and gold finish.

Pros

Extra strength/durability
Even comes with a riveter
Stylish black/gold finish

Cons

More pricey than some

Alpha O Ring Chain and Sprocket Kit

Price: 96.38

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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These Alpha kits are intended as affordable, virtually like-for-like replacements for your bike's OE chain and sprockets, in this case for Ducati's 900 Monster. It includes pattern steel sprockets, here 15-tooth front and 38-tooth rear and a reasonable quality Tsubaki 520 pitch chain, in this case with 98 links to fit the bike concerned.

Pros

Affordable
Like-for-like OE equipment
Reputable brand

Cons

No performance improvement

D.I.D. Heavy Duty Chain and Sprocket Kit

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D.I.D. is another respected aftermarket chain and sprocket manufacturer and a typical example of its wares is this heavy-duty replacement chain and sprocket kit for Kawasaki's ever-popular ZX-6R supersports bike.

This kit includes a heavy duty 525 x 108-link X-ring chain, with improved retention of lubricants whilst keeping dirt and debris out so helping the life of your chain. As a general rule, X-ring chains can last up to twice as long as an O-ring chain.

The sprockets, 15-tooth front and 40-tooth rear, are by JT, renowned for their high strength and durability. There’s also a D.I.D. rivet link.

Pros

Quality brand
Improved durability
Rivet link included

Cons

Not the cheapest

Renthal Final Drive Kit

Price: 184.86

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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British firm Renthal is one of the most respected names of all when it comes to chains and sprockets and this kit for a Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade is typical of its wares. It includes a Renthal standard 16-tooth front sprocket, a Renthal standard 42-tooth rear sprocket and a 116-link Renthal 530-pitch chain.

Pros

Quality brand
Lighter weight
Great reviews

Cons

Pricier than most

D.I.D. Heavy Duty Gold Chain and Sprocket Kit

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Respected brand D.I.D's Gold chain and sprocket kits use only the highest-quality, most durable components, hence their premium price. This is a typical example for a Honda CBR125 from 2004-2010 but most other models are available.

It comprises a heavy-duty Gold 428 DID chain and JT replacement sprockets – 15-tooth for the front and 42-tooth for the rear.

Pros

Top quality
Maximum durability
Respected brand

Cons

Not cheap

Vortex Performance Chain and Sprocket Kit

Price: £439.04

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Vortex specialises in performance-upgrade chain and sprocket kits, often with revised gearing via different sized sprockets than standard which result in improved acceleration at the expense of top speed.

This CK6291 kit is for a Suzuki GSX-R600 but many others exist. So, as well as a high quality, Japanese 520 chain, the kit raises the overall gear ratio from 2.69 to 3 via 1-tooth smaller 15-tooth front sprocket and a two-tooth larger 45-tooth rear sprocket.

Pros

Improved acceleration
Decent quality
Looks good, too

Cons

Again, not cheap

- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.

By Jim Blackstock

Keen wet weather rider and dedicated product tester for MCN and sister publication RiDE Magazine.

Best motorcycle chains and sprockets

D.I.D. Heavy Duty Gold Chain and Sprocket Kit