Should I stay away from chain drives on a cruiser?

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ragin cajun · Sat May 13, 2006 2:42 pm

As the title asks, from an all around standpoint (maintenance, durability, reliability, safety, etc), should I (as a newbie) stay away from a chain drive cruiser. Saw a Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter today and was stunned by the looks, saw it compared favorably with a Suzuki Volusia 800 that I'm also liking but the chain drive was the big difference.

(Boy, can't wait for next weekend for my MSF course and then to start sitting and looking at bikes).

niterider · #2 Unread post by **niterider** » Sat May 13, 2006 2:58 pm

The chain drive does take a bit more maintenance than the shaft or belt.
It also wears a little faster than the shaft or belt, but as for reliability and safety I don't think there is any real difference.
I believe that chain maintenance is nothing that cannot be learned by a newbie.
I prefer the shaft drive, little or no maintenance. Some of this other riders that use the chain can give you better info on that. Have fun riding.

Sev · #3 Unread post by **Sev** » Sat May 13, 2006 3:11 pm

Chain drive can deliver the power a lot more abruptly.

jstark47 · #4 Unread post by **jstark47** » Sat May 13, 2006 4:20 pm

Read this thread: viewtopic.php?t=11836&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

jmillheiser · Sat May 13, 2006 6:06 pm

shaft drives can be plenty abrupt as well, if your not smooth on the throttle.

angrypeppers · Sat May 13, 2006 6:12 pm

Thanks for the link, jstark! I'm glad my post may help out someone else...

Chris

earwig · #7 Unread post by **earwig** » Sat May 13, 2006 7:21 pm

In my opinion belt is best. No maintenance at all and you get immediate response... at least if it has a tension wheel or something similar to keep it tight w/ no play. I am not familar with all bikes that use belt as the final drive, but mine requires no maintenance at all and is good for 50,000 miles. The resplacement belt has no set time to replace.

Sev · #8 Unread post by **Sev** » Sat May 13, 2006 8:45 pm

Final Drive should not be a make or break deal when buying a bike anymore. All three are relatively easy to maintain, and if you get the bike that fits you well you won't mind ANY extra work that may come with the drive for whatever reason. Mine's a chain, and I could care less that I need to oil it, and tighten it once in a while.

You should be more concerned with how good it feels to be sitting on the bike.

BigChickenStrips · Sun May 14, 2006 2:32 am

real men [and women] use chain drives...

j/k chains are fine if your good on maintenance, dont let final drive be a deal breaker on any bike, all final drives basically do the same thing.

good luck and ride safe

#10 Unread post by **zarakand** » Sun May 14, 2006 4:51 am

Chain drives are very easy to maintain, lubing them takes about a minute. As far as tightening that depends on your level of comfort with mechanical tinkering. Though I think its about a $100 to get done at the dealership.