I am replacing the chain on a 94 sport 400L. Sorry if this sounds stupid, but what is the difference?
Which is better. I know the o-ring chains are more expensive, but are they worth it?
I ride about every other weekend, maybe for 6 hrs. Mostly trails, water, and mud.
Any ideas?

 

Welcome to the forum 94sport400L, Where I come from there are no stupid questions, just stupid mistakes. For your riding I would go with a o-ring chain. They typically outlast ordinary chains, and for the best bang for your buck I would look itno a RK O-Ring chain.

 

another point of view

I ran standard chains and used WD40 for lube/rust protection. Sand and mud gets in the chain and kills orings. Chain lube is so sticky that dirt/sand sticks to it and makes wear worse.

My bikes were mostly big bores that would stretch the chain anyway, so I would just replace the standard chain once a year. Much cheaper and more reliable for me.

Street bike is different, O-ring is the way to go.

 

Thanks for the info...

 

I would go with the o-ring chain so when your needle/seat falls out of your carb like mine did without warning you can use the chains o-ring to reinstall the seat.

Steve Lubecki

 

The O ring is the channel design for the o ring seat and holds lubrication better. More reliable.

 

I never thought about sand. I only ride in it once a year. I went to oring chains after getting my CR500, it can stretch a standard chain in a matter of hours. That and it destroy's rear tires too.

Why do you use a oring chain on a street bike? Im just curious because I dont ride a streetbike.

 

Looks as though I will go with the O-ring chain.
Plus who can beat the McGuyver advantage like Steve pointed out.

 

A good o-ring chain will outlast 5 cheap chains. Only an idiot would reccomend an non o-ring chain for an ATV.