MXA TEAM TESTED: SUNSTAR CRF250 DRIVETRAIN

WHAT IS IT? The Sunstar sprocket and chain are made from space-age materials designed to increase longevity and decrease weight.

WHAT’S IT COST? $22.95 (countershaft sprocket), $65.95 (rear sprocket), $97.95 (chain).

CONTACT? www.sunstar-mc.com or your local dealer.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Sunstar CRF250 drivetrain.

(1) Powerdrive. Sunstar offers its Powerdrive countershaft sprocket for the Honda CRF250 in 12-, 13- and 14-tooth options. Sunstar treats their Powerdrive sprockets with a Parkerizing process to protect the steel surface from corrosion and increase its resistance to wear. Parkerizing is commonly used in the production of firearms and makes perfect sense for the high-wear environment of countershaft sprocket teeth.

(2) Triplestar. Sunstar is proud to offer a plethora of gearing options. Need proof? The Triplestar 2013 Honda CRF250 rear sprocket ranges from 43 to 55 teeth. Additionally, the Triplestar is available in a black or bronze finish. Sunstar boasts that this rear sprocket is the longest-lasting aluminum sprocket on the market. Made from 7075-T6, the Triplestar has a tensile strength that would make Superman blush, plus a hard-anodized coating.

(3) 520MXR1. Sunstar sells a variety of chains for offroad. We counted six options, with four designed specifically for big bikes. The 520MXR1 caters to the motocross contingent. The gold chain is so vibrant that Mr. T would be jealous. We love the color. The extra-deep side plates have a superlight design, and the chain tips the scales at just under 3.6 pounds (for a 120-link chain). The 520MXR1 has a tensile strength of 9000 pounds, and all the materials have been heat-treated for strength and reliability. To quote a top Supercross privateer, “I haven’t had any problems with the Sunstar chain in Supercross. Given the load that’s put on the 520MXR1 through the whoops, it’s an indestructible chain.” Note that the 520MXR1 is available in 116- or 120-link lengths, although the longer chain costs $3 extra. Naturally, a master link is included.

(4) Installation. Mounting the Sunstar sprockets and chain to our CRF250 was a breeze. Everything lined up perfectly. Our only complaint was that the 520MXR1 chain didn’t come with a pair of latex gloves to keep our hands clean during installation.

(5) Performance. We were very impressed with the Sunstar drivetrain. The sprockets wore exceptionally well, and the 520MXR1 chain was very resistant to stretching. The Sunstar chain and sprockets are competitively priced, and we were able to put a lot of time on our CRF250 before they started showing signs of wear. As for the look, we especially loved the bright gold chain and black rear sprocket—although the bronze finish is quite attractive too.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? We wish that every chain company would add a pair of latex gloves to the box to make a messy job easier during installation.

There’s a reason so many top racers rely on Sunstar products. The drivetrain is lightweight, long-lasting and looks great. Think of Sunstar the next time your bike needs new teeth.