Shaft drive vs chain drive quads

[Fraser]

what are the major advantages/ diasadvanages to either or? i have heard the chains dont like the mud too much. i am looking into some future options here and just lookin for some opinions

[BRUSER]

Personal opinion?... I like shaft drive, much lass maintance on the shaft drive. Ths chain drive is great if you mod your quad ( it rhymes ;-) ) as you can easly change the final drive ratio. Maint. on the chain is critical, I had a chain break on a polaris quad and the chain "piled up" at the drive sprocket and broke a big chunk of the case half out :-(

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by BRUSER

Personal opinion?... I like shaft drive, much lass maintance on the shaft drive. Ths chain drive is great if you mod your quad ( it rhymes ;-) ) as you can easly change the final drive ratio. Maint. on the chain is critical, I had a chain break on a polaris quad and the chain "piled up" at the drive sprocket and broke a big chunk of the case half out :-(

ya, my cousin has been telling me that the o-rings in the chains dont like the mud too much. loads up on the sprockets and breaks things

[BRUSER]

But that being said, my son just picked up a Raptor and we have been down in Tenn at Windrock ( mud up the AZZ) and he has not been having any problems ( we have spent quite a bit of time cleaning and greasing the chain).....

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by BRUSER

But that being said, my son just picked up a Raptor and we have been down in Tenn at Windrock ( mud up the AZZ) and he has not been having any problems ( we have spent quite a bit of time cleaning and greasing the chain).....

kewl thats what i was thinkin, just be extra time on mantenice would take care of things

[Mike Hancho]

Originally Posted by Fraser

ya, my cousin has been telling me that the o-rings in the chains dont like the mud too much. loads up on the sprockets and breaks things

o-ring chains do better in the mud than non o-ring chains, the o-rings seal out all the bullshit from the pins and bearings..in fact o-ring chains last longer and are stronger than non o-ring chains...however thery do have more drag, thats why the dirt bike guys like the non o-ring chains better...

[Mclovin]

I rode my Honda in the mud all the time.. give it a nice dousing <sp> in chain lube before riding and after u hit water spray it again on your next rest.. then when done riding.. spend some time with a power washer getting all the mud out the nooks and crannys of the quad and take the time to make sure all of the mud is out of the chain then hit with some gear lube ride it down the road and then hit it with chain lube.. i did this everytime and never had a problem ( with the chain)

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by Mike Hancho

o-ring chains do better in the mud than non o-ring chains, the o-rings seal out all the bullshit from the pins and bearings..in fact o-ring chains last longer and are stronger than non o-ring chains...however thery do have more drag, thats why the dirt bike guys like the non o-ring chains better...

Originally Posted by Mclovin

I rode my Honda in the mud all the time.. give it a nice dousing <sp> in chain lube before riding and after u hit water spray it again on your next rest.. then when done riding.. spend some time with a power washer getting all the mud out the nooks and crannys of the quad and take the time to make sure all of the mud is out of the chain then hit with some gear lube ride it down the road and then hit it with chain lube.. i did this everytime and never had a problem ( with the chain)

sweet, thanks

[DuffMan]

In rough/rocky areas I've seen solid axle chain drive quads whack the sprocket/chain on rocks.

For rough terrain I'd prefer shaft drive. For a duner or general sport quad rocketship, chain.

[keithshotrodshop]

Definately shaft, however the biggest thing is that you want to make sure it is a 4x4, unless you are into that high speed crazy stuff. 2wd quads suck in the deep snow and mud.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by keithshotrodshop

Definately shaft, however the biggest thing is that you want to make sure it is a 4x4, unless you are into that high speed crazy stuff. 2wd quads suck in the deep snow and mud.

im talkin like sport quads, dont really need a 4wd quad. and wouldnt mind gettin up to the dunes one of these days. not shootin for deep mud or snow, got the jeep for that

[Mclovin]

Originally Posted by Fraser

im talkin like sport quads, dont really need a 4wd quad. and wouldnt mind gettin up to the dunes one of these days. not shootin for deep mud or snow, got the jeep for that

then chain is your cup of tea.. just be good to it and it'll be good to you

[Motor Slut]

Sport quad is a no brainer for a chain and a good metal sprocket guard. There really isn't a good shaft driven sport quad.

If you have a 4x4 then you don't want a chain drive. Way too much hassle to keep it adjusted and lubed, and very pricey to fix.

[89eliminator]

yeah, i would recommend a chain drive for a sport quad (almost all are). just make sure you oil the chain and keep up with the maintenance, and you wont have any major troubles.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by Motor Slut

There really isn't a good shaft driven sport quad.

ya, my cousin has the ltz 250 suzuki, but hes 5' somethin, and im like 6'. and ive rode it, just seems a little small. and id like something w/ a few more cc's