I cannot see an answer in the forum and I'm sure someone may be knowledgable. I have a Quck Change sprocket carrier and a selection of 520 rear sprockets for the big hub/6 cush drives. It's for my 1098S with racing ECU, Power Commander and short Termis. So I'm guessing max power a bit above the standard 160HP. Is a good quality DID 520 up to the task. I realise that the sporkets won't last as long and therefore the chain is also going to need changing sooner. That's no problem. My only concern is catastrophic failure and resultant carnage to bike and rider. Is it up to the job or should I stick with 525? The bike will visit the track a few times a year, experience WOT at close to redline and reach speeds up to 240 km/h. Thanks. Pic of the bike
Here are are couple of pictures with DID's specs and applications. The tensile strength of a 520 is approximately 75% of a 525. I'd say a 520 on that bike is ar your own risk.
I run a quality 520 on my track panigale with no problems over last 5 years. 190 rwhp. Street 520 and not race, if its a track bike only then it usually doesn't get all the salt and road crap on it that a road bike would get. But caveat emptor as the saying goes
Really good quality 520 chain should be able to take 200hp seems to be the internet truth, however it will wear a lot faster and potentially need more adjustment, as you would expect, if you are aware of this then fine
I run a 520 chain on my 1000rr blade, and have done thousands of miles on road with it in all weathers. Sure it really doesn't like not being cleaned and inspected a lot more than the regular 530 that should be fitted. Chain life is obviously reduced but regarding the weight saving it is a benefit to my bike. Sure inline 4 pot's produce little torque compared to big V Twins so it has a simple load to deal with. I only will use the DID ZVMX chains as they have a good service to value life. Any chain fitted to a bike should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis ,which some riders do not adhere to .
It's not quite as simple as displacement vs chain type. Bike type, geometry & weight play a major part in chain selection. Very powerful superbikes will lift the front before getting anywhere near exceeding max chain tension hence are okay with 520's, the heavier the bike and the longer the wheelbase, the more the requirement for a more heavy duty chain. The sprocket sizes chosen also play a part as they are in effect levers affecting the tension in the chain. So to be 100% sure, a wee bit of engineering needs to be done. The chain manufacturer is playing CYA with those diagrams above to keep joe bloggs safe when he tries to put a 520 on a heavy tourer.
Most if not all of the TT Superbikes run 520 chains. DID ER* are race only chains. When I've run them the pins are so hard that the riveted over ends fracture and fall off. This happens in only a couple of thousand road miles.
...and the 2025 Panigale V4 now comes standard with a 520 chain. So I would say that suggests they are up to the task of over 200bhp even for prolonged use.
It’s nothing to do with the power the engine makes and all about chain tension. The Panigale is a very light bike and short wheelbase. It’ll lift the front wheel long before max chain tension is reached, once the front lifts, that’s it; that’s the max tension the chain sees. The bike could have 1000 bhp and a 520 chain would still be fine!
Ok, but my point to answer the question posted, is that if Ducati feel safe enough to put it on a production bike with over 200bhp, it should be fine on one with more than 160bhp.
