I've been riding motorcycles for lots of years with various chains...dirt and street. I've recently had two used bikes come to me with really worn out chains. One (a VFR 800) I put on a cheap Volar chain and it lasted about 1000 miles only. I won't make that mistake again.

However, I always see..."Don't use a clip-type master link...weak..."....In my experience it seems like there are a lot more chances of riders and wrenches messing up a rivet-type link and having that end up weaker yet.

Has anyone actually seen or had a clip-type masterlink chain fall off? Are they really much more of a risk? I've long carried a spare master link and a chain tool, especially in the back country in Baja or when I go long around the remote west, and I have broken chains on my KTM 520...fixed it with a master link, trailside. Many of the bikes I have owned came to me with clip-linked chains and I have sometimes just left them on...am I being a risky dude?
Opinions and experiences? Thanks,
Don Hanson

 

I`m 48 and have used split link chains since I began riding at 17. Thats a fair few tens of thousands of miles. I have never had an issue with the chain (hope I haven`t just jinxed myself). My son has been racing moto x`s for over ten years, split link again, and no problems either, I believe that as long as you buy a decent chain, fit it properly and maintain it as expected, then theres nothing wrong with them at all. I will continue replacing my worn chains with another split link chain. In my opinion....others may argue.....your not being risky at all.

 

As wes 17 says, he's used split master links for years with no problem. Based on his comments I'd say he's a fairly maintenance minded guy. I don't know that that could be said about a lot of riders. The loads on a chain are for the most part longitudinally and not lateral. There isn't that much force being applied that would tend to push the master link off.

On street bikes, the area around the front sprocket is pretty tight, whereas on off road bikes there tends to be more open space. If the chain does come apart there's a greater chance for the chain to get bound up around the front sprocket of a street bike, locking up the rear wheel. For me, in traffic or on the highway, that's not an option. The manufacturers say there should be a riveted master link and I think it's with good reason. I'm sure others here will chime in as well.