How long do you go between new chains?

agentbad · November 25th, 2014, 06:11 AM

I am at about 12k on my bike and the oem chain still seems like it's in pretty good shape. I'm asking because my friend has a Rebel with 40k and he's only replaced the chain once.

flitecontrol · November 25th, 2014, 07:32 AM

A lot has to do with the quality of the chain and the level of maintenance it receives. Some folks still put new chains on old sprockets because they think the sprockets look good so they must be fine. Not necessarily so. Unless a sprocket is badly worn, it's difficult to eyeball it and determine whether it needs to be replaced or not.

Regular cleaning and lubricating with a good quality chain lube will greatly extend chain life. One of my Rebels has a DID X-ring chain with over 20,000 miles on it, and no signs of wear. The OEM chain that was on it when I bought the bike from the PO hadn't been well maintained. It was rusty and had missing O-rings at 7,000 miles.

An easy way to tell if a chain needs to be replaced, other than frozen links and missing O-rings, is to grasp it at the three o'clock position on the rear sprocket and try to pull it back. If it moves more than a fraction of an inch, it is worn and should be replaced. Again, both sprockets should be replaced at the same time the chain is.

Sirref · November 25th, 2014, 07:36 AM

My first chain lasted ~10k miles but I got salt and **** on it and left it out in the rain/rode through the rain which accelerated the wear. I also started getting lazy about cleaning/lubing it. My current chain has 500-1000mi on it and is beginning to show signs of corrosion from being out in the rain, I need to clean and lube it real quick soon.

Really it's one of those things that'll last forever if you can keep it out of the elements and clean it properly but won't last terribly long otherwise.

Bigballsofpaint · November 25th, 2014, 07:44 AM

Scottoiler will pay for itself if you are a little lazy about chain maintenance. i have about 10k on my 250 chain, and 15k on my 1000 chain. Both dont need replacing. Scott oiler on the 1000 since its my main bike. Installed it around 2,000 miles, the 250 was always cleaned and waxed every 500 miles before it was a track bike. Now i just clean and lube before each track day.

Sirref · November 25th, 2014, 07:46 AM

I've wanted a scott oiler for the longest time, I'll probably invest in the next year or so. Also 500mi isn't often enough for me unfortunately. That's around the rate I was cleaning it.

Ghostt · November 25th, 2014, 08:11 AM

My 2¢ on chains,

If you properly maintain your chain, it should last awhile, no really set mileage.

Proper maintenance includes cleaning, lube, and correct adjustments.

I myself use the DuPont Teflon spray, here is a link to review,

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motor...n-chain-saver/

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/dupon...ain-lube-2012/

I generally clean and lube my chain about every third tank of fuel, on my Ninja 500 I've managed to get close to 20k miles out of a chain, I replaced it when it started to stretch like crazy.

cbinker · November 25th, 2014, 08:24 AM

keep it clean and lubed, and they last 20-30k.

Hero Danny · November 25th, 2014, 08:45 AM

As long as you don't ride in the winter (where there is road salt) and you properly maintain your chain, I could see you getting 30k miles out of. Maybe more maybe less. Regardless, if it looks good then mileage doesn't matter

Hero Danny · November 25th, 2014, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirref

I've wanted a scott oiler for the longest time, I'll probably invest in the next year or so. Also 500mi isn't often enough for me unfortunately. That's around the rate I was cleaning it.

Yeah, I was lubing my chain every 200 miles and cleaning it every 500. Isn't it funny how the bike feels faster after lubing the chain?

allanoue · November 25th, 2014, 09:05 AM

I cleaned my chain about every 2000 miles. The chain has 21,000 miles on it, and needs to be replaced. No issues with it under 60 mph but no highway speeds until I replace it.

verboten1 · November 25th, 2014, 09:10 AM

wow, If I think about it I might do it once a month or so. a ride is usually 200 at least.

I replace the KLR chain about every 10-15,000 miles which is about a year typically. It's lucky if I take the mud off when I am done off road.

The ninja chain is original I'm sure. at about 8,000 miles, it seems fine, the sprockets are wearing, but the chain is fine.

I'll probably replace at the end of next year, just because.

fast1075 · November 25th, 2014, 02:06 PM

I had a bike once that needed new chain and sprockets every 25 miles

.

Did I mention it had a 10" slick and 300+ horsepower?

Ghostt · November 25th, 2014, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verboten1

wow, If I think about it I might do it once a month or so. a ride is usually 200 at least.

I replace the KLR chain about every 10-15,000 miles which is about a year typically. It's lucky if I take the mud off when I am done off road.

The ninja chain is original I'm sure. at about 8,000 miles, it seems fine, the sprockets are wearing, but the chain is fine.

I'll probably replace at the end of next year, just because.

KLRs run better when their dirty, proven fact

snot · November 25th, 2014, 02:53 PM

I inspect mine regularly, I do a quick lube during the season and a good such and lube before my first ride of a new season.
+1 on changing the sprockets at the sametime.

November 25th, 2014, 06:11 AM	#1
agentbad ninjette.org sage Name: bob Location: Earf Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250, 2006 SV650N Posts: 642	How long do you go between new chains? I am at about 12k on my bike and the oem chain still seems like it's in pretty good shape. I'm asking because my friend has a Rebel with 40k and he's only replaced the chain once.

November 25th, 2014, 07:32 AM	#2
flitecontrol ninjette.org guru Name: Lee Location: Monroe, LA Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): Rebel 250s, Ninja 250s VN750s (currently nine total) Posts: 465	A lot has to do with the quality of the chain and the level of maintenance it receives. Some folks still put new chains on old sprockets because they think the sprockets look good so they must be fine. Not necessarily so. Unless a sprocket is badly worn, it's difficult to eyeball it and determine whether it needs to be replaced or not. Regular cleaning and lubricating with a good quality chain lube will greatly extend chain life. One of my Rebels has a DID X-ring chain with over 20,000 miles on it, and no signs of wear. The OEM chain that was on it when I bought the bike from the PO hadn't been well maintained. It was rusty and had missing O-rings at 7,000 miles. An easy way to tell if a chain needs to be replaced, other than frozen links and missing O-rings, is to grasp it at the three o'clock position on the rear sprocket and try to pull it back. If it moves more than a fraction of an inch, it is worn and should be replaced. Again, both sprockets should be replaced at the same time the chain is.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

November 25th, 2014, 07:36 AM	#3
Sirref Private Joker Name: Ben Location: Towson, MD Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '14	My first chain lasted ~10k miles but I got salt and **** on it and left it out in the rain/rode through the rain which accelerated the wear. I also started getting lazy about cleaning/lubing it. My current chain has 500-1000mi on it and is beginning to show signs of corrosion from being out in the rain, I need to clean and lube it real quick soon. Really it's one of those things that'll last forever if you can keep it out of the elements and clean it properly but won't last terribly long otherwise. __________________________________________________ I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see?

November 25th, 2014, 07:44 AM	#4
Bigballsofpaint ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jay Location: CT Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2015 636 ABS - 69 Honda 305 Posts: A lot.	Scottoiler will pay for itself if you are a little lazy about chain maintenance. i have about 10k on my 250 chain, and 15k on my 1000 chain. Both dont need replacing. Scott oiler on the 1000 since its my main bike. Installed it around 2,000 miles, the 250 was always cleaned and waxed every 500 miles before it was a track bike. Now i just clean and lube before each track day.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

November 25th, 2014, 07:46 AM	#5
Sirref Private Joker Name: Ben Location: Towson, MD Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '14	I've wanted a scott oiler for the longest time, I'll probably invest in the next year or so. Also 500mi isn't often enough for me unfortunately. That's around the rate I was cleaning it. __________________________________________________ I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see?

November 25th, 2014, 08:24 AM	#7
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	keep it clean and lubed, and they last 20-30k. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

November 25th, 2014, 08:45 AM	#8
Hero Danny Inline 4!!! Name: Danny Location: MA Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.	As long as you don't ride in the winter (where there is road salt) and you properly maintain your chain, I could see you getting 30k miles out of. Maybe more maybe less. Regardless, if it looks good then mileage doesn't matter __________________________________________________ Be careful. Remember you are invisible

November 25th, 2014, 09:05 AM	#10
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	I cleaned my chain about every 2000 miles. The chain has 21,000 miles on it, and needs to be replaced. No issues with it under 60 mph but no highway speeds until I replace it. __________________________________________________ Keep calm and ride on -Motofool Never quit on a rainy day -ally99

November 25th, 2014, 09:10 AM	#11
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	wow, If I think about it I might do it once a month or so. a ride is usually 200 at least. I replace the KLR chain about every 10-15,000 miles which is about a year typically. It's lucky if I take the mud off when I am done off road. The ninja chain is original I'm sure. at about 8,000 miles, it seems fine, the sprockets are wearing, but the chain is fine. I'll probably replace at the end of next year, just because. __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

November 25th, 2014, 02:06 PM	#12
fast1075 ninjette.org guru Name: harry Location: Central Florida Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250, 2004 Buell XB12s, Honda 110 Elite Posts: 332	I had a bike once that needed new chain and sprockets every 25 miles . Did I mention it had a 10" slick and 300+ horsepower? __________________________________________________ "They don't pay me enough to ride this thing!" Kenny Roberts after winning the Indy Mile on the TZ750 powered Grand National bike.

November 25th, 2014, 02:53 PM	#14
snot sammich maker Name: snot Location: West Ohio - in the kitchen Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 white 300, 09 KLX 250 SF, 09 thunder blue 250(traded) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '15	I inspect mine regularly, I do a quick lube during the season and a good such and lube before my first ride of a new season. +1 on changing the sprockets at the sametime.

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