chornbe
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2006
- Messages
- 467
- Reaction score
- 0
Agreed. Shaft is the way to go for a tourer. For my money (and what I'll ride), no shaft, no touring. I suppose chains have gotten a lot better, but the manufacturers still recommend 500 mile clean/lube intervals and when making comparisons, with everyone getting individual and differing results, you really should only compare the MFG intervals. And the worst shaft drive beats the best chain drive every time when using that measurement. Chains have their place; I just don't think that place is in touring.I often hear this sentiment expressed. I guess it must be like miles per gallon or tire life? -- YMMV! Some of us are no strangers to long distance high speed motorcycling over (somewhat) long durations w/inclement weather -- and, (IMO) chain cleaning, lubing, adjusting, replacing (along w/sprockets) is a considerable (and unnecessary) PITA. I do it when there's no other way -- and maybe? a case could be made for the Blackbird that there is "No other way" -- but, when there's a bike like the FJR; that clean, quiet (and maintenence free) driveshaft just makes so much sense to me. But, like they say on these forums -- YMMV.
Take the Ducati valve clearance issue as your guide. Everyone says "Mine didn't need any adjustment until the 3rd or 4th one." (or xxK miles) Yeah, but that one guy who goes with all that "real world" data will get screwed big time when his Duc eats a valve at 12k miles with no checks. And the MFG will (rightly) laugh him out of the shop when he tries to get a warranty claim out of it.