My kit came with a tensioner but it caused a lot of noise and drag, so I eliminated it and never looked back. I love the way she rides without the tensioner, way smoother than with it. That said, a couple people tried to rain on my parade telling me I am gonna need to be able to adjust the chain tension as it wears. I am running #41 chain and after 1,200 miles the tension is still perfect... So I say go for it, as long as it doesn't interfere anywhere you're good to go. That said, the kit chains are usually total crap so I would expect that a kit chain might loosen up on you eventually, do yourself a favor and get some #41 chain and run that instead....