Trying to work out what I want in a 1st bike

JLM · 08-07-2008, 08:20 PM

I have started researching what I want in a first bike and have hit on a quandry.

Chain drive or shaft drive?

I am leaning toward chain drive as it just "feels right" to me. There are other reasons, but that is the main one.

As I understand it, the shaft drives are more mechanically reliable and easier to keep up, but suffer some noise and other problems that you don't have with chain drive.

Chain drives seem to be regarded as more maintenance needy and less reliable, but less noisy. (among other things)

Can any of you folks shed some light on the question for me??

If it helps, I am only interested in cruiser type bikes and am leaning hard toward the Hondas.

Thanks in advance!
JLM

primalmu · 08-07-2008, 08:52 PM

I think that chain vs shaft drive is such a minor issue for a first bike that it doesn't really matter.

hsartteacher · 08-07-2008, 08:59 PM

I have a chain drive bike, better for the kind of shifting I do and a sport bike, but for beginning riders, not sure it's a big issue.

artyboy · 08-07-2008, 09:02 PM

Shaft drives ride smoother, are more reliable and require less maintenance among other things. Chains give more power to the rear wheel and they're cheaper to fix if they do break. The shaft drive probably won't break and even if it does you'll have to replace it a LOT less often than you will a chain over the course of the bike's life. I haven't heard that chains are more quiet. You probably won't be able to hear either one operate over the noise of the engine.

Dodsfall · 08-07-2008, 10:04 PM

Throwing a money wrench into the mix, the belt drive is probably the quietest option, as well as being super-easy to maintain.

The final drive shouldn't be a big consideration when buying a bike. The differences are minimal.

Hawnted · 08-07-2008, 10:08 PM

There is also belt drive which some people like better than shaft. Its got some (not all) of the advantages of shaft drive in there is not much maintenance, and it is more efficient than shaft.

EDIT: looks like Dods just beat me to it.

Wayward_Traveller · 08-08-2008, 10:51 AM

Yep throw in my 2 cents too.
My first bike was a belt drive, and I never had to do anything to it at all.
My last bike was chain, constantly check for adjustment, lube, etc.
And if you are going to ride a fair amount you will have to change it the most often.
My new bike is shaft, and I love not having to worry about it. It's just one less thing you shouldn't (being the key word) have to worry about.
But as for a first bike option, have to agree with the others, not a deciding factor in anyway shape or form.

Honestly when I was looking at new bikes this year that is one of the options I never really bothered to let influence my decesion.

dewaine · 08-10-2008, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayward_Traveller

...

Honestly when I was looking at new bikes this year that is one of the options I never really bothered to let influence my decesion.

You didn't consider the VMax??

08-07-2008, 08:20 PM	#1
JLM Verified Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: central NC Posts: 21	Trying to work out what I want in a 1st bike I have started researching what I want in a first bike and have hit on a quandry. Chain drive or shaft drive? I am leaning toward chain drive as it just "feels right" to me. There are other reasons, but that is the main one. As I understand it, the shaft drives are more mechanically reliable and easier to keep up, but suffer some noise and other problems that you don't have with chain drive. Chain drives seem to be regarded as more maintenance needy and less reliable, but less noisy. (among other things) Can any of you folks shed some light on the question for me?? If it helps, I am only interested in cruiser type bikes and am leaning hard toward the Hondas. Thanks in advance! JLM

08-07-2008, 08:52 PM	#2
primalmu 2005 Bandit 1200S Join Date: May 2008 Location: Starkville, MS Posts: 4,303	I think that chain vs shaft drive is such a minor issue for a first bike that it doesn't really matter. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-07-2008, 10:04 PM	#5
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,879	Throwing a money wrench into the mix, the belt drive is probably the quietest option, as well as being super-easy to maintain. The final drive shouldn't be a big consideration when buying a bike. The differences are minimal. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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08-07-2008, 08:59 PM	#3
hsartteacher I Ride Like A Girl Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,526	I have a chain drive bike, better for the kind of shifting I do and a sport bike, but for beginning riders, not sure it's a big issue.

08-07-2008, 09:02 PM	#4
artyboy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CO Posts: 393	Shaft drives ride smoother, are more reliable and require less maintenance among other things. Chains give more power to the rear wheel and they're cheaper to fix if they do break. The shaft drive probably won't break and even if it does you'll have to replace it a LOT less often than you will a chain over the course of the bike's life. I haven't heard that chains are more quiet. You probably won't be able to hear either one operate over the noise of the engine.

08-07-2008, 10:08 PM	#6
Hawnted V Star 1300 Tourer Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 89	There is also belt drive which some people like better than shaft. Its got some (not all) of the advantages of shaft drive in there is not much maintenance, and it is more efficient than shaft. EDIT: looks like Dods just beat me to it.

08-08-2008, 10:51 AM	#7
Wayward_Traveller Idaho STAR Instructor Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 188	Yep throw in my 2 cents too. My first bike was a belt drive, and I never had to do anything to it at all. My last bike was chain, constantly check for adjustment, lube, etc. And if you are going to ride a fair amount you will have to change it the most often. My new bike is shaft, and I love not having to worry about it. It's just one less thing you shouldn't (being the key word) have to worry about. But as for a first bike option, have to agree with the others, not a deciding factor in anyway shape or form. Honestly when I was looking at new bikes this year that is one of the options I never really bothered to let influence my decesion.