What are the disadvantages of a motorcycle chain being too tight?
2 Answers
Motorcycle chain being too tight can damage the countershaft bearing and needle roller (bushing), and the lifespan of the rear wheel cushion bearing will also be significantly shortened. A motorcycle is a two or three-wheeled vehicle driven by a gasoline engine, steered by handlebars for front-wheel turning, known for its lightweight, flexibility, and high speed. It is widely used for patrol, passenger and cargo transportation, and also serves as sports equipment. Broadly speaking, motorcycles are categorized into street bikes, road racing motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, cruisers, and touring bikes. A motorcycle consists of five main parts: the engine, transmission system, running gear, braking system, and electrical instrumentation equipment.
An overly tight motorcycle chain is far from ideal. Riding with a chain tensioned like a guitar string makes it clatter over bumps and risks snapping. Excessive tightness accelerates wear, rapidly grinding down both the chain and sprockets—a replacement set can cost hundreds. I've even seen cases where overtightening overloads the rear wheel bearings, leading to premature failure and costly repairs. Without proper slack, road vibrations transmit directly to the rider, causing numbness on long rides. Worst of all, it increases fuel consumption due to added drivetrain resistance, making the fuel gauge drop noticeably faster. Check chain slack every two weeks—proper adjustment allows about 2-3 finger widths of vertical play, ensuring both cost-efficiency and safety.
