Hmm, No noise, I've adjusted my chain twice in the last 15K+ miles, lube it a couple times a year with chain wax, and the brake caliper side of my rear wheel is much dirtier than the chain side...and that's with low dust pads.

 

For me running a 120" motor (and I like to use it) I like the peace of mind it gives me when I'm far from home or a dealer. If I should break a chain (not likely) I can fix it on the side of the road in a half hour. Break a belt while on a trip you're looking at a tow plus most likely a $700+ bill.

 

Modern O ring or X ring chains do not suck. Maintenance is as easy for them as it is for a belt.

 

IMO chains are messy and a PITA to maintain.

 

I'm gonna go out on a limb her and say that he is probably building an engine that's gonna snap a belt in little or no time, at all.

 

Chains now. No noise. No mess. Some of us are putting 150-200hp+ to rear wheel and belts are pretty marginal. Plus chains let us run bigger rear tire with more clearance .. But I don't think the OP asked about opinions on belts. Just chains.

 

Are you sure about this? My 2014 Triumph Tiger XC has either an o or x-ring chain and my owners manual wants it cleaned and lubed every 250 miles! I don't do it that often as I don't ride off road and it never rains here so it never sees water but I sure get to it every 500 miles at least. Chains really do suck. PITA. The belt on my '09 Ultra now has almost 74,000 miles of trouble and maintenance free riding. I check it to make sure it's in spec and not cracking but I'd never trade the belt for a chain.

 

Reason I want a chain is that I don't want to be stuck along the road on a trip with a broken belt. Chain I can fix along the road. And I've seen lots of bikes snap belts putting out less power then I plan to put out. I snapped a belt before on an 04 that had a wider belt. And, I was only at 130hp/tq. I don't want to worry about snapping a belt so I'm going to chain since I got everything apart. I'm planning to be in the 160 hp/tq range.

 

I have owned all three variations, old series chains with engine drip oilers, o-ring chains, and belt drives. Had a friend with a nitrous set up on a built S&S engine, could wipe teeth off a belt(using N wrong). belts require removal of primary to fix, chains do not, chains AND belts require periodic inspection and adjustments, chains will not stone cut as a belt can and has been seen by me.

If I had a preference, and expense not so high I would go back to chain, just so I could change it at home in the thirty minutes the old ones took when it became worn out. O-ring chains do need external lube where the sprocket contact is but there are dry lubes out there much better than oils.