I should probably try a search but figured what the heck..

Which loses more power, belt drive or chain drive or is there not much difference?

Al

 

Wouldn't say either one loses power, now if you don't have a belt or chain then you have a TOTAL power loss. What kind of bike? What kind of motor? What are you using it for? Racing on a track or racing your buddy on the street? Is this a touring bike or a custom bar hopper? Do you like washing your bike and is having a dirty bike worth longevity and reliability? Give us some details .

 

2012 WG, 106hp 115tq 103 motor, street driving, more shorter (under 200-300 miles in a day) rides than touring, don't mind the chain maintenance, like being able to repair on side of road with a chain, cheaper drive ratio changes (?)

Al

 

You sound like a chain candidate, chains are obviously heavier and will require more torque how much more, I don't know for sure but I'll bet the difference is minimal.

 

Ya maybe, but I have been giving thought to changing Drive gear ratio's and figured if I was going to do that going to a chain might be the easiest way.

Maybe not if there isn't much difference between the two.
Thanks.

Al

 

Belts are the new chains! Quieter, slightly more efficient IMHO, especially when compared with an exposed chain, low maintenance. As for repair on the road side, which is going to be easiest to fix? Too open a question! If either of them fails you have no prospect of going far, the chain being likely to cause incidental damage which the belt won't, when breaking. You're likely to need trailering with them both.

As for changing ratios, what do you have in mind and why do you want to?