My first question is if the stock gs sprocket is steel or aluminum? I'm imagining that its probably steel. I'm thinking about buying an aluminum rear sprocket but I was just curious about how quickly it will wear out because aluminum is such a soft metal. The stock chain is a 520 right?

Actually, now that I think about it, nows probably a good time to ask about the differences in chains. I know you can get different types; O-ring, X-ring etc. Witch is the best? Why is it better? Is it worth the extra cash to spring for the more expensive ones? Thanks a lot.

Steel.  Aluminum will wear quicker, but I don't know by how much if chain maintenance is the same.  D.I.D. X-ring chains claim to be the best due to design, and tend to be more expensive; are they worth it?  I dunno.  I would think any o-ring chain would do (Bikemaster chain in waiting).

Stock sprockets are steel. Aluminum sprockets are fine but I have seen certain ones wear out really fast. Not so much with the GS. The ones that will last longer are hard anodiized.

Stock chain is 520. X-ring chains will last the longest, with proper care. The x-ring basically acts like 2 o-rings, trapping lubricant between them.

so what do you think in terms of life. 1 season on the low end? 3 seasons on the high end? I will be running this sprocket with a bran new chain and front sprocket as well, so its not like I'll be mixing worn out parts with new parts.

yes i'm a a nut i guess .. if i'm gonna buy a new chain its gonna get a new sproket  set . i know just about any of the sprokets that are laser cut are good . i just wish sidewinder would jump in the street  area . i used them when i raced motocross and i loved them . i owned my cr125 for over a year and put that set on there with in the first month or so . and i rode eveyweekend . as long as you take care of it and keep the right  tision on the chain you will be fine

I had an aluminum vortex sprocket on my TL1000S for 2 years/10,000 miles.  Of course I wore the sprocket round, but still.

A quality aluminum sprocket on the GS should last as long as you want.

Quote from: budget speed demon on January 19, 2006, 09:33:16 PM
so what do you think in terms of life. 1 season on the low end? 3 seasons on the high end? I will be running this sprocket with a bran new chain and front sprocket as well, so its not like I'll be mixing worn out parts with new parts.

Cheap chain (the $40 kind) and any sprockets will net you about 7K miles max.

Nice chain (above $100) and any sprockets will last you a long long time if taken care of properly.  I'm on two years on my nice chain and aluminum sprocket set.  Don't know how many miles but it's more than the cheap stuff lasted me and I'll get a lot more out of it.

As far as aluminum wearing more....  When I asked the counter person he said "well I run aluminum sprockets on my liter bike....you're on a GS500 right?"...

So I figure I'm good.

Quote from: V8Pinto on January 19, 2006, 09:46:21 PM

Quote from: budget speed demon on January 19, 2006, 09:33:16 PM
so what do you think in terms of life. 1 season on the low end? 3 seasons on the high end? I will be running this sprocket with a bran new chain and front sprocket as well, so its not like I'll be mixing worn out parts with new parts.

Cheap chain (the $40 kind) and any sprockets will net you about 7K miles max.

Nice chain (above $100) and any sprockets will last you a long long time if taken care of properly.  I'm on two years on my nice chain and aluminum sprocket set.  Don't know how many miles but it's more than the cheap stuff lasted me and I'll get a lot more out of it.

As far as aluminum wearing more....  When I asked the counter person he said "well I run aluminum sprockets on my liter bike....you're on a GS500 right?"...

So I figure I'm good.

That's the answer I was looking for. If it lasts me about 1-2 seasons I'll be happy, anything more is just icing on the cake. The chain I buy will be a high-ish end one so I think I'll be good. Thanks a lot for all the input

Most front sprockets are steel. If you see an AL front sprocket stay away from it.

With care (regular cleaning, lubing) an AL sprocket will last as long as a chain. This is convient since you should replace them as a unit anyway, otherwise the new and old parts will more quickly wear each other out.

BOTTOM LINE - STEEL sprockets are cheaper/will last longer/are heavier.- ALUMINUM sprockets lighter/more money/wear faster. REMEMBER speed is just a question of money how fast do you want to go ?  o-ring chain is fine x-ring is superior !

I've never changed a rear sprocket on any bike, just didn't need it.  Includes over 98k miles on a CM400, over 80k miles on a CB750, and over 80k miles on the 97 GS500.

GSs need a front sprocket every other chain but I've been changing it along with each new chain.  Get a DID o-ring chain from Chaparral for under $60 and a Sprocket Specialist front sprocket for $11-12 plus shipping.  Chains last close to 20k miles for me, changed it on the 02 GS at 22k miles first time.  I just lube and adjust them and ride them year around and in quite a bit of rain.  Never have wasted riding time cleaning one.