What the difference between an o-ring chain and a non 0-ring chain?? Which one is better and which one lasts longer??

 

The places you ride will determine what kind of chain to buy. If you ride in a lot of mud go with an o-ring because it actually has small rubber rings in the links of the chain. These o-rings keep grease in the rollers that is injected when the chain is made.

A heavy duty chain is much more simple. There isn't any seals or grease and the links are metal against metal.

Both chains can stretch over periods of time, both chains can kink when not lubricated properly, but the o-ring will probably last longer in really harsh conditions.

 

An O-Ring chain will probably last longer, but a non o-ring chain transfers more power (very little). It is all up to how much you want to spend.

 

The reason you find o-ring chains on most, if not all new quads, is because the low maintainance they require. The rollers are lubricated at the time of manufacture and the lube is sealed in with the 0-rings. Most people who should know say no lubrication is necessary since it cannot reach into the rollers anyway due to the sealed rollers. About the only benefit of lubricating 0-ring chains is to prevent the side plates from rusting. If you have an 0-ring chain you must be careful of what lubricant is used if you do decide to lube it & get a lube made for 0-rings. This would have no petroleum to rot the 0-rings. Likewise, don't use kerosene to clean the chain for the same reason. I use Chain Wax by Maxima as a lube mostly as an old habit from before the coming of o-rings. It just makes me feel better.
This a long answer to a short question, but maybe covers some things you'd think of later.