BMW M CHAIN MAINTENANCE

[PaulS1000XR]

Just taken deliver of a new XR (my 5th XR) and this is fitted with the optional and significantly more expensive M chain.

It looks very nice but not clear about future maintenance.

Dealer said that it doesnt really need cleaning and lube between services. The BMW Rider Manual is a little vague and suggests that whereas lubing is not necessary it will extend serviceability of the chain in undefined harsher conditions.

What do others think? 

[Antares]

There was a heated debate on it a while back.

I've not had it so take my words with a grain of salt and as my personal opinion.

- The rollers are self lubricating and don't require lubricant.
- Lubing it will attract dirt and particles that'll cancel out it's maintenance free-ness.
- Clean with water every once in a while to get rid of accumulated dirt, dry thoroughly.

Only the rollers are coated and the outer links can still show cosmetic rust, however the zinc plating should be fairly resistant, might be worth applying some non-sticky rust preservative, or just keeping on top of cleaning and drying it.

However, If lubed and cleaned like a regular chain it'll last longer than a regular chain, that is hugely relative to conditions and riding style though.

If you're going to lube it, I'd go with some really dry non-sticky wax lubes, like Maxima Chain wax, Wurth High performance dry, tru-tension banana slip wax.

And mainly apply it to the outer links.

PS: 5th XR??? Are you on a lease schedule replacing them yearly or what's the game plan?

[Gazk]

For me I give the chain a wipe down once I've washed the bike with a meh sort of oily rag.

That said I do use one of the three-sided chain brushes as well.

I did forget to clean the chain one wet ride and the rollers and side plates where a little discolour the next day, but a quick wipe over with the oily rag and the brush and it was ok.  I am glad I did not leave it any longer.

I guess:

To lube or not to lube that is the question!

[PaulS1000XR]

Originally Posted by Antares

There was a heated debate on it a while back.

I've not had it so take my words with a grain of salt and as my personal opinion.

- The rollers are self lubricating and don't require lubricant.
- Lubing it will attract dirt and particles that'll cancel out it's maintenance free-ness.
- Clean with water every once in a while to get rid of accumulated dirt, dry thoroughly.

Only the rollers are coated and the outer links can still show cosmetic rust, however the zinc plating should be fairly resistant, might be worth applying some non-sticky rust preservative, or just keeping on top of cleaning and drying it.

However, If lubed and cleaned like a regular chain it'll last longer than a regular chain, that is hugely relative to conditions and riding style though.

If you're going to lube it, I'd go with some really dry non-sticky wax lubes, like Maxima Chain wax, Wurth High performance dry, tru-tension banana slip wax.

And mainly apply it to the outer links.

PS: 5th XR??? Are you on a lease schedule replacing them yearly or what's the game plan?

Thanks for your useful comments.

Yes 5th XR, I change them at around 16k miles which I do in a little over 2 years. I pay cash. My view is that after that there is the expensive 18k service plus other stuff that wears out like: brake pads, discs, chain, sprockets - the cost of not doing this is offset against the trade up cost for a new XR.

I have looked at other bikes, including the Ducatti V4 and the KTM 1290 Adventure but I think that the XR suits my needs best

[PaulS1000XR]

Originally Posted by Gazk

For me I give the chain a wipe down once I've washed the bike with a meh sort of oily rag.

That said I do use one of the three-sided chain brushes as well.

I did forget to clean the chain one wet ride and the rollers and side plates where a little discolour the next day, but a quick wipe over with the oily rag and the brush and it was ok.  I am glad I did not leave it any longer.

I guess:

To lube or not to lube that is the question!

Sounds reasonable

[Belco100]

Sorry, slightly off topic, but can you buy these chains anywhere else yet? i.e. not through BMW? From I can make out they just have a DLC on the rollers to make them last longer - not seen anyone else do this?

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Belco100

Sorry, slightly off topic, but can you buy these chains anywhere else yet? i.e. not through BMW? From I can make out they just have a DLC on the rollers to make them last longer - not seen anyone else do this?

Yes you can buy the chain alone for ~260 quid from BMW-moto-europe or beemershop, but alternatively this chain is made by Regina and if you want to buy it directly from them for any bike at any length it's called the Regina HPE chain, comes in 520, 525 at various lengths for around the same price.

It's a game of totting up the expenses, at my usage I use up a can of chain lube and cleaner in about 6k miles, so about 80 quid in cleaners across the life of the chain, this puts a quality chain's total cost at around 200 quid, so really this maintenance free chain only has to last about 1.3x the life of a normal chain to make up the difference in cost, which is not a huge amount, and then take into account your time and swearing cleaning up lube fling from your bike...

[Winger]

Having sold my SuperMoto this week and bought a 1050 SpeedTriple which on the outside looked great, but now home and under closer inspection also had a previous owner who’s relationship was on par with a disposable hanky spare the odd thought for the next owner 

[Tony]

Originally Posted by PaulS1000XR

Just taken deliver of a new XR (my 5th XR) and this is fitted with the optional and significantly more expensive M chain.

It looks very nice but not clear about future maintenance.

Dealer said that it doesnt really need cleaning and lube between services. The BMW Rider Manual is a little vague and suggests that whereas lubing is not necessary it will extend serviceability of the chain in undefined harsher conditions.

What do others think? 

The chain is maintenance free between services, according to BMW, unless you are riding in adverse conditions ie, rain, salted roads etc

It will rust up like any other chain and will require cleaning if you have it out in the wet. Personally, I'm not sure if it's worth it

[Leo167]

Originally Posted by Belco100

Sorry, slightly off topic, but can you buy these chains anywhere else yet? i.e. not through BMW? From I can make out they just have a DLC on the rollers to make them last longer - not seen anyone else do this?

The M chain plates are stamped Regina, maybe look up a model from them?
you know like some of the M billet stuff is from Giles tooling