If you own a sport bike—whether it’s a Yamaha R1, a Honda CBR, a Suzuki GSXR, or a BMW S1000RR—you know how important maintenance is. But when it comes time to replace your chain and sprockets, the numbers can be confusing. What does ‘525’ mean? Why is my chain 114 links long?
As someone who has spent a long time testing and working on these bikes, let me make it simple: You must know your Factory Chain Specs. These numbers are your bike’s DNA, and using anything else is a risk you don’t need to take.
We’ve put together the most important factory data into one simple table that covers all the popular models. Let’s break down exactly what these specs mean for your ride.
The Three Numbers You Must Know
The manufacturer spent millions of dollars designing the perfect drive system for your specific motorcycle model and year. They chose a chain strong enough for the engine’s power but light enough for great performance. The table below gives you these exact numbers.
1. The Chain Size (e.g., 520, 525, 530)
This three-digit number tells you the size and strength of your chain. It’s based on measurements in inches, but it’s very easy to understand:
- The First Digit (Pitch): This is almost always a ‘5’ for these powerful bikes. It means the distance between the two pins in a chain link (the pitch) is $\frac{5}{8}$ of an inch.
- The Last Two Digits (Width): This is the distance inside the chain, which must perfectly match the width of your sprocket teeth.
- 520: The lightest option. Common on mid-sized bikes and dirt bikes. If you use it on a powerful bike, you must buy a very high-quality racing 520 chain to handle the torque.
- 525: The modern standard. Most new superbikes (like the BMW S1000RR and GSXR1000) use the 525. It offers a great mix of strength and low weight.
- 530: The strongest and heaviest. Often found on older, high-torque superbikes and large cruisers.
My Advice: Never use a chain that is narrower than what the Factory Chain Specs call for, unless you are changing both sprockets to a narrower size as part of a complete conversion kit. The chain and sprockets must match!
2. The Link Count (e.g., 114, 120)
The LINKS column tells you how many links your chain needs to be to fit your bike’s swingarm perfectly with the factory sprockets. When you buy a new chain, buy one with this many links. It saves you the headache of having to cut it. Always trust the Factory Chain Specs for this number.
3. The Gearing (Front and Rear Sprockets)
The FRONT and REAR columns show the number of teeth on your front and rear sprockets. This setup is the manufacturer’s choice for the best balance of fast acceleration and high top speed for street riding.
- Changing Gearing: If you want quicker acceleration, you can swap the rear sprocket for one with +1 or +2 more teeth (e.g., changing a 41-tooth to a 43-tooth). If you do this, you might need a longer chain than the original Factory Chain Specs called for.
Factory Chain & Gearing Specs Table
Use this table as your go-to guide for all your maintenance and parts ordering.
| BIKE | MODEL (Years) | CHAIN | LINKS | FRONT (Teeth) | REAR (Teeth) |
| BMW | S1000RR (2019-2025) | 525 | 120 | 17 | 45 |
| BMW | S1000RR (2013-2018) | 525 | 122 | 17 | 46 |
| BMW | M1000 R (2023-2024) | 525 | 120 | 17 | 45 |
| CBR | CBR1000RR (2017-2020) | 525 | 120 | 16 | 43 |
| CBR | CBR600RR (2007-2020) | 525 | 112 | 16 | 42 |
| CBR | CBR500R (2013-2023) | 520 | 120 | 15 | 41 |
| CBR | CBR300R (2015-2020) | 520 | 108 | 14 | 36 |
| GSXR | GSXR1000 (2009-2016) | 525 | 114 | 17 | 42 |
| GSXR | GSXR1000 (2007-2008) | 530 | 112 | 17 | 42 |
| GSXR | GSXR750 (2006-2020) | 525 | 116 | 17 | 45 |
| GSXR | GSXR600 (2011-2025) | 525 | 114 | 16 | 43 |
| GSXR | GSXR600 (1996-2000) | 525 | 108 | 16 | 45 |
| YAMAHA | YZF-R1 (2015-2020) | 525 | 114 | 16 | 41 |
| YAMAHA | YZF-R6 (2006-2020) | 525 | 114 | 16 | 45 |
| YAMAHA | MT-09 (2021-2025) | 520 | N/A | 16 | 45 |
| YAMAHA | MT-07 (2021-2025) | 520 | N/A | 16 | 45 |
| YAMAHA | Ténéré 700 (2019-2025) | 520 | N/A | 15 | 46 |
| YAMAHA | XJR1300 (2004-2015) | 530 | N/A | 17 | 39 |
The Final Word: Trust the Specs
I’ve seen too many riders waste money on the wrong parts or risk their safety with an improperly matched chain. Using this data—the actual Factory Chain Specs—removes all the guesswork.
Before you click ‘Buy’ on your next chain and sprocket kit, look up your bike’s exact year and model in this table. This simple step will save you time, money, and headaches. You will have a stronger, better-performing motorcycle, thanks to the Factory Chain Specs.