500 miles: Too long for chain lube?

[Mack]

Planning on taking the thing for a long ride over a few days before 1st service and to remove the RPM restriction. I plan on snagging it Tuesday or Wednesday from the dealer's clutches.

Problem is there isn't anywhere else to stash a can of chain lube (someone needs to market a really small 2-3 oz. spray can that is tail or under-the-seat stashable), nor do I really want to carry a large spray can around anyway.

So is the O-ring chain up to handling 500-600 miles without fussing with it?


Mack

[DrIoannis]

Well you will not have any problems.Put some more chain lube before you leave and you will be just fine.

[redleader666]

When the links in between the teeth get shiny it's time to lube up!

[cesarb]

Mack,
I found a small can of Motorex chain lube at a multi brand sportbike dealer last year. It fits under the pass seat where I also store a small rag to wipe fuel spills etc..

[GS TRV]

why not use a little rucsac?

Im a Kreiga fan

Kreiga.com

[le_loup]

Its a little pricey but this is the only industry alternative that i could find to not carry a big a** can around....its and automative chain oiling system that is kept on the bike and has a little control panel....some of these systems claim they can make a chain last 100k miles....this is the best one that i have found....dont know if its worth the price though....runs for $280 US from the manufacturer.

Scottoiler | Motorbike Chain Oiler | Motorcycle Chain Lubrication

[LiterBoy]

Originally Posted by Mack

...So is the O-ring chain up to handling 500-600 miles without fussing with it?

In a word, yes. Unless you're riding a dirt or mud trail, you're good. Go have fun! And report back on your ride.

[RRrider]

we're talking about general wear and tear...so if one is lubing every 200 miles or so, then missing a couple of lubes won't do much if any harm.

[markjenn]

500 miles is no big deal, although your chain will last longer if you can give it attention a little more often than this. Some guys never lube o-ring chains. They don't get great chain life, but they typically work Okay for 10K or so.

There are lots of options for carrying chain lube - a small plastic bottle with 90W gear oil is just about as good a chain lube as the fancy aerosol stuff. More trouble to apply, but it works just as well. And there are some pretty small cans of spray lube (e.g., 6oz) readily available.

I strongly suggest you sort some kind of luggage option though. When you make 500-mile trips you need to be able to carry more than what fits in the tail: a flat kit and pump/compressor/CO2 cartridges, faceshield cleaner, rain gear, some water and perhaps a snack, a spare pair of gloves, cell phone, spare ear plugs, a leatherman type tool, an extra layer of clothes, etc. You can go backpack or sort some kind of tank bag or tail pack, but regardless, to be going on 500-mile trips without having any way to handle the more common contingencies is just not being adequately prepared. Once you have this sorted, carrying a little chain lube won't be a big deal.

- Mark