chains are dominant for one reason $$$$ cheaper for manufacturers, but anything used on an unpaved surface chains are best as well as extreme motorsports
I have a 2010 BMW F800ST which is a belt drive. Touching wood, it has never had an issue. 30 years ago I had a school project to do, and found some research on diamond thin films, where they could coat materials in graphene and treat it to convert the carbon into diamond. at the time the technology was prohibitively expensive so it was only used by the military and space programs to in effect diamond-plate optical surfaces that needed extreme scratch resistance (think of things like the lenses on the Hubble space telescope). I guess that it is more commercially viable today.
This does look promising, viewed a few reviews of what's to come and estimated costs etc. The reviews are all based on what BMW is providing apart from the technical qualities of the coating. It seems that along with no routine cleaning and KY Jelly application (except in Bikes)& Babes) also no need for adjustment. So if it works, all that would be needed is clean as with the rest of the bike when grubby or our OCD kicks in, all sounds brill, also it seems that they are supplying sprockets with the chains but so far there isn't a lot on offer other than for some of the BMW or similar range. Once perfected the estimated cost for chain and sprockets of around £400 may well be worth paying!!!!
my 2 cents on the chain It's work a go if you are going to keep your bike . I've put 75000 miles on belt drive bikes and never had one issue , I'd considered the conversion for the TFC but despite the fact I hate the mess I'll not convert .
As a Luddite I just have to have chain it's what bikes wear! I did have a Kawasaki LTD440 at one point that had a belt and I can't say it gave any problems in the thousand or so miles I had the bike before I couldn't take it any more and binned the orrible little 'custom' abortion. I will say as well that you look a proper idiot in a fight with the mods wading in with a rubber and kevlar belt! Long live the good old chain and, if it's zero maintenance then I'm all for it over belts. Belts are for hoovers! Oh and harleys which suck almost as much as hoovers!
4 year old thread so I have to ask why I've heard of such a product? have to assume it didn't pan-out as hoped. also wonder how the sprockets faired with such a chain.
The chains are still available. Regina developed the chain for BMW, its available in 525 and 520, so all the Triumphs would be covered by that. The theory of applying DLC to the chain to reduce friction and therefore wear is sound but unless the sprocket is as well then wear can still occur. I did consider getting this chain for my SC, but when I read the maintenance / warranty terms, the so called maintenance free chain needs just as much maintenance as a normal chain.
It is not a no-maintence chain. It is a chain designed not to require maintenance between annual services. The nice man at the delaer will then measure chain wear and then tell you whether or not you will need a new chain before the next service based on your mileage. Ideal for affluent BMW and Triumph owners who dislike getting their fingers grubby. Some idiot in the USA took the "no-maintenance" literally and proved beyond any doubt that this chain would not run for 40,000 miles without lubrication.
