The Facts

• A motorcycle chain is what gets the power from your engine to the rear wheel of your bike. This is, in effect, what causes the bike to go forward.
  
  

Considerations

• Your chain requires regular maintenance. It's relatively easy to do yourself, but you will have to do it quite often as compared to belt and shaft driven bikes. Maintenance includes cleaning and lubrication at intervals recommended by your motorcycle's manufacturer. Check your bike's owner's manual for their recommendations, and see Resources for more information.
  
  Regular maintenance also requires regular chain adjustments to take up slack generated by normal wear and tear of your chain. Consult your owner's manual for your bike's specifications.
  
  

Types and Features

• Two main types of chain exist on motorcycles: O-rings, and everything else. O-ring chains are designed to try to keep as much of whatever lubricant you use inside of themselves as possible. Non-O-ring chains do not have this feature.
  
  Modern chains also usually feature a maintenance link (sometimes called a "master link") to make it easier when it comes time to change your chain.
  
  

Benefits

• Motorcycle chains are more easily accessed than their shaft and belt drive counterparts. Although maintenance is time-consuming with chain drives, they are less difficult and expensive to maintain as well. They are also relatively uncomplicated, and do not generally require special tools to maintain---just your hands and your patience.
  
  A properly lubed chain is relatively quiet, allowing you to enjoy the sound of your engine instead of the whine of a squeaky, angry chain.
  
  

Warning

• Improperly maintained chains are dangerous things. Failure to regularly clean and lube your chain can result in additional friction buildup when you ride. This can lead to premature chain stretching, and eventually to breakage. If your chain breaks, you won't be going anywhere without a tow truck---and you'll probably have engine damage as well. Although it's possible for a broken chain to fly off your bike without damaging anything else, it's highly unlikely that it won't damage your engine on its way out.