CHAIN DRIVE,SHAFT DRIVE AND BELT DRIVE !! WHICH ONE IS GOOD ? WHY ?

The final drive on a motorcycle is the connection between the output shaft of the gearbox and the rear wheel. In scooters the engine is located at the rear, so that a simple gear train is used to put the power onto the rear wheels. In case of motorcycles, the distance between the output shaft and rear wheel is considerably higher. So it becomes necessary to use an appropriate drive which can transmit power and torque without much loss. 

Three most commonly used mechanism for transmitting torque and torque to rear wheels are :

1.)Chain Drive
2.)Belt Drive
3.)Shaft Drive

Chain Drive :

1. A chain drive system is used in almost all the bikes that we see on a daily basis, because it’s reliable and cheap to maintain.
2. It needs maintenance regularly. A chain drive system needs to be cleaned and lubricated after a gap of every 500 to 800 kilometres to protect the chain from getting dirty, rusted and dysfunctional. 
3. It works at almost 99% efficiency, where the remaining 1% is lost due to friction.
4. a chain drive system is capable enough to deal with high level torque produced in these machines, and almost all the dirt bikes and drag-focussed motorcycles feature a chain dive mechanism.

Cost of Maintenance – Medium

Cost of Replacement - Low

Maintenance Efforts – Very High

Power Loss :Very Low (Negligible) 

Belt Drive :

1. This mechanism is basically used in the cruisers, because the power delivery to the rear wheel using a belt drive system is more liner and smooth as compared to that with a chain drive system.
2. The belt does not require lubrication which is one major advantage over chain drive.
3. The life of these belts are comparatively lower, and requires frequent replacement due to wear and tear.
4. Out of the total power generated, only 91% is delivered to the rear wheel and the rest is lost during the transmission.

Cost of Maintenance – Low

Cost of Replacement – High

Maintenance Efforts – Nil

Power Loss :Low  

Shaft Drive:

1. This technology is the same as seen on cars. 
2. Shaft Drive provides the smoothest driving experience. Moreover, it has a longer life span then that of chain and belt drives.
3. The power loss in shaft drive is really high, about 25% due to extra gears and shaft.
4. It is more expensive and heavier because of the gears and technology.
5.  There is no maintenance required in a shaft drive.
6.  This system can be seen on bikes like Honda VFR 1200 and BMW K 1300S.

Cost of Maintenance – Very Low

Cost of Replacement – Very High

Maintenance Efforts - Nil

Power Loss :High

Finally,it depends on the application of the vehicle but when it comes to efficiency chain drive is most suitable mechanism for power transmission especially in Automobiles.