Chains

[Antares]

Hey all,

Just coming up on the end of life of my Tsubaki Sigma XRG chain for the XR, amazing chain, no deep corrosion despite having ridden in the winter and over 20,000 miles on the chain, I reckon it still has a couple thousand miles but it's starting to get a stiff link here and there, I can still free them up with a bit of chain clean and lube but it's getting there. Sprockets amazingly still look really good compared to what came off the front when I did the first sprocket change they look brand new.

What I'm curious about is how many miles did you guys get out of your DID ZVMXs and the BMW Endurance chain. When I went to change the chain I was going to put on ZVMX but they didn't have it in stock so I got a free upgrade to the Tsubakis (used them in the past great chain).

Doing simple cost per mile calcs

The Tsubaki costs about 155-160 quid and lets say will last 25,000 miles before it's properly time to change
ZVMX is about 100-105.
BMW Endurance about 230-250.

So taking the Tsubaki as base I'd expect the ZVMX to last at least 15,000 miles with the same sort of lax maintenance I've had on the Tsubaki (I cleaned it maybe a dozen times since i had it and lubed it somewhere between 500-1000 miles)

And the BMW chain I'd want to last 35,000 miles at the very least with significantly less maintenance.

Having read a few reviews now, whilst I'm still not convinced people are "using" the chain as intended, it's also clear it's no magic bullet.

This obviously doesn't really factor in sprockets etc but the tsubaki still looks and functions like new apart from slightly more side to side play (not excessive) and the aforementioned occasional stiff link

[bobdave]

I'm on my original chain with 15500ish miles and it still has a fair amount of life left, as do the sprockets. I try to keep it well lubed (probably overlubed in comparison to many of my mates on their bikes) but it seems to work. The only negative is having to put a bit more work into keeping it clean from the amount of lube thrown around !

[Antares]

Originally Posted by bobdave

I'm on my original chain with 15500ish miles and it still has a fair amount of life left, as do the sprockets. I try to keep it well lubed (probably overlubed in comparison to many of my mates on their bikes) but it seems to work. The only negative is having to put a bit more work into keeping it clean from the amount of lube thrown around !

My Gen 1 original (a mid range Regina chain) lasted 16000 miles but then it was completely shot by then, like, full 90° bend around with the chain off the bike and the front sprockets were ruined too. This tsubaki has been on since. and definitely outlasted the OG, then again i bought the bike with 15000 miles so I have no info on how the previous owner maintained it.

[SMXR]

15,000 miles on Gen 2 M Endurance chain, and too be honest, it still looks as new. Bike (and chain) new Sept 2020, and ridden right through both winters. Chain never really cleaned, but bike is well cleaned after every wet ride - especially after winter salted roads. Rub oily rag over chain (courtesy of leaky sump plug on my '77 CB750) every now-and-then. I don't suppose I would have chosen Endurance chain over alternatives, but it came with the bike, and I can't complain with performance so far.

[Salem]

To me there are two factors in chain life. One is your right hand, the other is dust/sand eating into rings and creating leaks to the internals and for sure friction.I can't see how a M chain deals with the latter any better. I'm cleaning my chain regularly, and to make that easier I created my chain cleaner. This is a mini rain gutter, and I use a 12V pump out of a cat fountain. Works well, I clamp the gutter between front gear and guide. No mess, fairly amazing what comes off the first time. I use diesel, what comes off sinks rapidly. it does not stay in suspension.

[RyanGTXR]

Just changed my C&S last week, the DID I had on only went about 10k miles and it's been stretching to fook last few rides so replaced with the Tsubaki. won't waste my money on DID again, yes they're way cheaper but no where near the mileage as Tsubaki / Regina over the years on different bikes (15-20k).
The Tsubaki also has solid split link pins which I prefer over the DID soft links and I have the Whale chain tool to rivet together properly too

[garyculb]

 DID ZVMX has been my GO TO Chain for 5 years. Very reliable & easy to install. Great on my KTM GT. Gotten used to changing out the chain & front/rear sprokets all at the same time.

Best,

Doc

[Antares]

Originally Posted by RyanGTXR

Just changed my C&S last week, the DID I had on only went about 10k miles and it's been stretching to fook last few rides so replaced with the Tsubaki. won't waste my money on DID again, yes they're way cheaper but no where near the mileage as Tsubaki / Regina over the years on different bikes (15-20k).
The Tsubaki also has solid split link pins which I prefer over the DID soft links and I have the Whale chain tool to rivet together properly too

Had the same experience with tsubaki VS DID on my ER6 but in fairness I used DID VX2 and 3s on my ER6,

As far as cleaning the chain goes, had no issues, this pic was taken about 2 days ago, so no issues with that:

[smithy]

Have over 40k km on my DID ZVMX chain...and it's still good. Aluminum rear sprocket too.

Smithy.

[zvez]

I'm curious as to how long the BMW endurance chain lasts. I've seen varying reports of longevity. It'd have to be a lot to justify the price.