Drive chain types

[garynortheast]

Can anybody tell me, what is the difference between VM2 or VXGB motorcycle chains?

[shiftin_gear98]

No, not me.

[Adam Ef]

Does one have the X rings (as opposed to 0 rings) ?

[garynortheast]

The VM2 is listed as being specifically for the SV650 and the VXGB is listed as being for the Yamaha MT range. The ones I'm looking at are both DID, 108 links, and 525. Can't see that their can be much difference except that VXGB is a bit cheaper.

[Dave20046]

VM is heavy duty/higher grade , vx is cheaper - both are x ring. I'd get heavy duty. Mine's been on for 10s of thousands of miles and still in good shape.

*I should point out it's tsubaki though . With Renthal gold sprocks.

525APX-108
https://www.bandcexpress.co.uk/buy/Tsubaki-Tsubaki-Alpha-X-Ring-Gold-Drive-Chain---525---108-links/525APX-108.E32

[Dave20046]

Hang on , I just googled this and they may have swapped it round in recent years. VX may now be higher spec than the VM! If from the same vendor get the pricier one, if differing you might need to email DID to be sure.

[garynortheast]

Just had another look online and the VXGB chain is listed here for the SV

VXGB chain (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-SV650S-1999-to-2009-Models-DID-Gold-X-Ring-Chain-525VXGB108/142461081012?epid=1925266043&hash=item212b5795b4:g:jCcAAOSwlLdciqlm)

The VM chain here though is specifically listed as heavy duty.

VM chain (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DID-Gold-Heavy-Duty-X-Ring-Motorcycle-Chain-525-VM2-x-108-Links/142890354075?epid=1723732989&hash=item2144edc59b:g:zbYAAOSwF2xbX0WE)

[Dave20046]

That fits with what I remembered, get the heavy duty one.
No brainer at £2 difference.

[Dave20046]

By the way if you're not in a rush M&P (the seller of that heavy duty chain) are almost always featured on the 20% off ebay spends that seem to happen almost monthly

[garynortheast]

That fits with what I remembered, get the heavy duty one.
No brainer at £2 difference.

I generally do get the heavy duty DID, so I shall this time too.

By the way if you're not in a rush M&P (the seller of that heavy duty chain) are almost always featured on the 20% off ebay spends that seem to happen almost monthly

Thanks for reminding me about that Dave. It'll be a couple of weeks before I get the chain. I need new tyres first!

[Dave20046]

Avon Avon Avon :smt041

[garynortheast]

Pirelli Pirelli Pirelli :D

[DarrenSV650S]

I usually get ZVM. I think they're the strongest

[garynortheast]

Just found this.

https://didchain.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2020-Chain-Spec-Chart.pdf

VM is a heavier duty chain than the VX.

[Dave20046]

I think they did change it round a few years ago, unhelpfully. That's what I read when I commented before so it depends how old the stock is you're looking at/how old that chart is? With the links you posted I'd have guessed the VM was indeed the heavier duty of that vintage since it was more expensive and marked heavy duty.
What Darren said about ZVM rang a bell too.

Just get a Tsubaki and never worry again ...

[garynortheast]

Just ordered the VM chain. Funnily enough it was cheaper at £64 direct from M&P than from their ebay shop at £68.

Just bought a new pair of Pirelli Angel ST tyres from Tyretech Trading too for £144.

Just over £200 in one hit. Ouch!

[Dave20046]

I know, but it's an investment in fun.

2 tyres for £144 is pretty good too to be honest

[Adam Ef]

Just over £200 in one hit. Ouch!


At least you get something for it.. I cancelled an insurance policy this morning at a cost of £64... to end up with nothing.

[Adam Ef]

Gary, do you prefer the ST to the (newer?) GT version? Or there is a reason you go for them? Had bad experiences with Pirelli tyres on cars in the past but they get a lot of recommendations on bikes. Considering I like Metzeler and they're the same company maybe I should be giving Pirellis a go.

[garynortheast]

The ST wins on price Adam. Not used the GT before, but have wondered if perhaps I might get more than 5000 miles out of a GT. One day when I'm feeling flush I'll splash out and try a pair. I love the handling characteristics of the ST though.

[shiftin_gear98]

I loved the Pirelli STs on the SV, when I tried Garys suggestion.
I even still have a part worn set in the garage, still attached to the wheels off my SV.
Actually as I haven't gotten around to selling any of it I still have the whole bike, albeit in bits.

[embee]

As Gary said, https://didchain.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2019-Chain-Spec-Sheet.pdf

The ZVM is thicker plates (inner and outer) than the VX variants, so stronger (tensile strength). The pins look the same diameters but longer for the plate thicknesses. Wear index suggests 10% or so longer life for the ZVM, not sure what differences there might be in bushings, wear improvement might just be down to less deflection under load so better load sharing between adjacent links (? guess).
The GB suffix is for gold/black plates (gold outer/black inner).
The VX3 has superseded the VX2 I believe, not sure of the technical differences, but in essence an updated version.