Best Steel Motorcycle Sprockets: Front and Rear Picks
If you want a steel motorcycle sprocket, four options here are worth a look: the Vortex 520 front, the Renthal Twinring rear, the SuperSprox steel rear and the Sunstar Works-Z rear. Each takes a different route to the same goals, which are less weight, slower wear and a cleaner chain run.
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Four steel sprockets compared
| Sprocket | Position | Material | Maker’s main claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex 520 | Front | Induction-hardened steel, zinc plated | Drilled to cut weight; pitches 530, 525 and 520 |
| Renthal Twinring | Rear | Nickel-plated steel outer ring, 7075 T6 aluminum inner ring | Two-piece flat-faced design with mud grooves |
| SuperSprox Steel | Rear | Laser-cut steel, tri-zinc coating | Up to 20% less rotational mass; thicker teeth |
| Sunstar Works-Z | Rear | Steel, offset teeth | 50% thinner than a traditional 520 steel sprocket |
Vortex 520 front sprocket
The Vortex 520 Front Sprocket is machined steel with zinc plating and perforations to reduce weight. Vortex front sprockets come in three pitches: 530, 525 and 520. Specs vary a little by make and model, so match the listing to your bike rather than to the photo.
The interesting part is the hardening. Vortex uses induction hardening, which heats the steel with a regulated electric current. The source description contrasts this with ordinary heat treating and says it allows very tight tolerances. Vortex says the result is better concentricity, and with it a quieter, stronger, longer-lasting sprocket.
- Induction-hardened steel
- Drilled plate to cut weight
- Zinc plating for corrosion resistance
Renthal Twinring rear sprocket
The Renthal Twinring Rear Sprocket is the only hybrid here. It has a nickel-plated steel outer ring, which carries the teeth, and a 7075 T6 aluminum inner ring to save weight. Renthal says the design went through five years of testing and development.
The two rings are heated to 200°C so they expand and fit together. Set screws in flat sockets then stop the rings moving sideways. The finished sprocket is flat-faced and slim. Renthal cuts it on CNC machines for tooth shape and dimensional accuracy, and adds mud grooves that stop mud packing between the teeth. It is aimed at off-road and motocross riders. For a matching front, Renthal also lists the Renthal Ultralight Front Sprocket.
SuperSprox and Sunstar steel rear sprockets
SuperSprox Steel Rear
The SuperSprox Steel Rear Sprocket is laser-cut from a CAD-designed steel plate. SuperSprox gives it extra-large teeth, thicker than on comparable sprockets, to improve chain contact and extend life. It keeps the stock pitch, so it does not force a change in chain size. A lighter core cuts rotational mass by up to 20%, according to the maker.
The Tri-Zinc coating has three stages. Nickel and silver go on first to resist corrosion. Black passivation then seals the steel’s pores so rust and debris have less to grip. A glossy protective finish goes on last. SuperSprox also sells a matching front sprocket.
Sunstar Works-Z
The Sunstar Rear Works-Z Steel Sprocket is built around self-cleaning. Its alternating offset teeth are meant to keep debris off the chain. The offset design also makes it 50% thinner than a traditional 520 steel sprocket, which suits racing and other uses where weight counts. The listing also says it lasts longer than standard steel sprockets, but gives no figures. I would treat that as a claim to check against owner reports for your bike.
If you would rather skip steel: ProTaper Race Spec
The Pro Taper Race Spec Rear Aluminum Sprocket is CNC machined from alloy and aimed at hard off-road use. Its angled mud grooves clear dirt as the sprocket turns, which ProTaper says prevents the build-up that causes power loss and quick wear. The grooves are cut opposite the load-bearing teeth, and ProTaper says this raises sprocket-to-chain contact area by 40% compared with conventional designs. It sits here as the lightweight alternative to the steel and steel-hybrid options above.
Fitment, wear and chain care
Are sprockets universal?
No. A sprocket has to match your chain’s pitch, the tooth count you want and your bike. The wrong one can damage the chain and the wheel, and can lead to a crash. Check the listing against your model before you order.
How do chain and sprockets wear together?
A worn chain wears sprockets faster, and worn sprockets usually mean the chain is also worn. Replace them as a set. Dirt and corrosion on the chain hurt smoothness and sprocket life, so regular cleaning pays off. How often depends on how hard and where you ride. Your owner’s manual gives the service interval for your bike.
This video from Dam Sport covers choosing a chain and sprocket kit, which is the simplest way to keep the parts matched:
Video: How to Choose the Best Chain and Sprocket Kit for Your Motorbike | Dam-Sport (Dam Sport)
Sprockets sit alongside other wear parts. Our guide to motorcycle camshafts covers another engine-side upgrade. New riders building a toolkit can start with the beginner gear checklist. If you are inspecting a used Kawasaki, the Kawasaki buyer guide with used checks is a place to start.
Featured image: Rear Sprocket. by JCHaywire, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr. Cropped.
