What is the difference between 'O' Ring Chain and 'X' Ring??
 

Ordered a Chain and sprocket set for my 1989 XT600 and received an 'X' ring Chain.....made by DID.

Is it as good as an 'O' ring chain? I didnt even Know you could get an 'X' ring chain...... what is the difference? and do I have to Lube it different to an 'O' ring one?:confused1:

Sorry to sound an Ignoramus but I have lived with Shaft drives for too long!

An O ring chain has a sealing rubber ring which is O in cross section .
An X ring chain has a sealing rubber ring which is X in cross section .

Lubing is the same [and open to personal choice and public debate ].

X ring is probably better ,depending on the application .

DID is a good brand .

That's about it really .

techno blurb X-Ring

some useful info... xring has a square section oring that should resist more to dirt.

Facts you should no about Motorcycle Chains!

shortly x ring should be better than o-ring, but shape of the rubber oring is surely only one factor of a chain strenght...

Yes, apparently so. How long did the chain on your last chain drive bike last?:innocent:

Happy to say things have improved dramatically. The X ring (well described by Dodger) essentially provides two sealing surfaces due to the X profile of the O ring it uses. Look at the ring closely. Compare to conventional O ring.

You've acciddently stumbled upon the best chain (IMO) in the world. Go with NEW, OEM sprockets. My last DID X-ring 525 VM-2 lasted 25,000 miles....with more to go. I only changed it because I was begining a long ride (7,000 mi) in Mexico. Hard to get good chains there. At about 15,000 miles I would change out your countershaft sprocket (cheap). This can add an extra 5 to 10K or so to overall chain life. YMMV. IMO.

I'm on my 6th DID X-ring VM-2 chain on four different bikes. (not counting dirt bikes.) ('95 Tiger (530), '99 Tiger (530), '02 V-Strom, '06 DR650.

Patrick. :mchappy:

It was your lucky day when that DID X-ring arrived. As Mollydog said Probably the best chain around. With good quality modern chains I find that I don't have to adjust them between rear tyre changes. Which means no additional maintenance.