Drive Train

Sunstar Works Triplestar Sprocket

Sunstar is the largest OEM supplier of motorcycle and all terrain vehicle (ATV) sprockets and brake discs in the world. In fact, if you’re on a Japanese machine most likely it came from the factory with Sunstar. Sunstar offers the Works Triplestar combination that is lightweight, looks good, and from what I found out recently, is pretty damn durable for an aluminum sprocket. Since Sunstar sprockets came stock on our YZ450F and I’ve had great luck with them, I thought why not try out their Triplestar sprockets, to see how long they last.

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The one problem about aluminum sprockets is they simply don’t last long right? I have tested Renthal aluminum sprockets in the past that have broke teeth within 4 engine hours. That’s not acceptable! I am also a firm believer of when your sprockets get worn out and its time to change them, it’s also time for a fresh chain, so make sure to try and always change the whole drivetrain at the same time. This test isn't a big elaborate techy kind of test, but more of a testimonial of what I thought of the Sunstar sprockets. It’s not easy to talk about a sprocket, so let me just tell you how long it lasted and give you some other food for thought. 

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I am lucky to get ten engine hours on an aluminum sprocket out here on the west coast so changing out my drivetrain every couple weeks is the norm. Yes, I can ride up to ten engine hours every 7-10 days. Shockingly, I have just over 16 engine hours on this Sunstar Triplestar sprocket and it looks like this (see above). Not bad right? The Sunstar quality has been superb and when I told the guys over at Sunstar that I was shocked on how good the sprockets were, they acted surprised that I was so shocked. I know Sunstar comes on a lot of production machines, but in the racing world they’re not as prevalent in my mind for whatever reason. I kept the standard 13/49 gearing on the YZ450F and haven't had an issue with the Sunstar Triplestar sprockets breaking teeth yet. I am very impressed on the quality and durability of the brand. 

 Now I know most of you are asking yourself “why doesn't he use steel sprockets or at least a Twinring”? I like to keep aluminum on my test bikes because every time I’ve had a chain failure, it has been with a steel rear sprocket. Rear steels are hard on chains, especially if you’re a moto guy, so for my peace of mind, I stick with aluminum. I have ran steel sprockets in the past and although they last a long time, I have snapped more chains running steel sprockets than aluminum, so I choose to stick with the lighter rear sprocket. Mix matching a steel countershaft sprocket with an aluminum rear is not uncommon for me and when doing that steel/aluminum combo, I have experienced zero chain failures. If I was running an o-ring chain on my test bikes, I can run steel rear sprockets with better results. If you’re a off-road guy that rides a ton of mud, this sprocket test may have nothing to do with you. Steel sprockets, o-ring chains, and GNCC type racing is the norm, but for moto what I described above is what I felt.

If you’re looking for an aluminum rear sprocket that has a great lifespan look no further than this Sunstar Triplestar.