Well done, good save.

Thanks for posting as it reminded me to check and adjust my chain. I clean it regually but occaisionally fall into the trap of my own lazyness of thinking that 'I will do it next time' and as most of my everyday trips are short I convince myself that this is ok but know it not to be. Thai serves as a good reminder regardless of the reason.

I think the chain adjustment procedure on the tenere is partly to blame. Having to set it with the bike upright and not on a stand is daft. That is the official way of setting it but without two people its near impossible so I think it gets left too long.
I know someone took off the linkage to work out ideal adjustment. They published the 'on centre stand' gap ie swingarm to chain gap - anyone remember what it was ?

unlucky but lucky ..... the regina chain itted to mine as o/e equipment was very poor quality
im wondering if yours was the same make .. im suspecting it may be

Pedantry aside, I'm with Gulgo on this one. Not enough information to say that it was the lack of chain guide that caused the problem.

hi, I have never suggested the lack of chain guide caused the problem, chains like any component can go wrong and fail. it really is quite easy to derail a chain while trailing and cause damage, so why not fit one?.
you wear body armour, jacket, boots, etc. you hope not to test how well they work?.
if you's think ooh.. snake oil, no one says you have to follow suit

ciao

I use the "Two finger " method. While the bike is on the sidestand, Put two fingers between the chain and the fattest part of the swingarm... It should be possible but a tight fit... Your chain is good :-)

Another easy test.. Tilt the bike upright, the chain should just lift of the chain roller :-)

My 2c

I never said you had, or that chain guides aren't useful in some circumstances - particularly on the dirt. You may well find me as a customer at some point ;)

All I said is that I don't see a particularly compelling explanation as to why it would have prevented this particular incident.

My user manual says to set it on the sidestand.

I've been around bikes all my working life and do a large annual mileage on several bikes, 25k to 30k miles a year on average, (I ride as part of my full-time job, I run several group tours each year as a part time occupation and do a lot of personal stuff too). I've lost chains before but nothing as dramatic as this... I have a Scottoiler fitted.

My preference is to run chains a little on the slack side as I'm a big lad with a healthy appetite and often the manufacturers advice (not just Yamaha), on chain adjustment, particularly on trail bikes, leaves it tight when the full range of suspension travel is used.

I'm not saying the lack of chain guide would have prevented a chain failing for some reasons, but it would have definitely prevented a derail from the rear sprocket in this case if that is what did cause this incident.

For me, and the type of riding I do, the addition of a chain guide definitely adds a bit of reassurance. It's great to see other peoples views on the matter. My main reason for putting the details here is to share the experience and see what, if any, lessons can be learnt. I always try to analyze a mishap whether it be a riding mistake or mechanical failure to see what i could have done differently either before or during the incident to have had a more satisfactory outcome.

Almost all other manufacturers of trail bikes do fit chain guides though...

Cheers.

I'm with stoicbloke and irishguy on this one. On a bike that requires substantial chain slack (50-60mm) it is bordering on negligent not to fit a chain guide. I also ride for a living, and believe me, a chain guide is essential imo, paricularly offroad.
I realise that the above event happened on-road, and so did the only major chain break I've had (curiously on a 96 Tenere). That aside, in general any bike running a lot of slack should have this safety net. Again imo, of course.
I am relieved that irishguy is ok. Good riding, mate.

Yip..two finger method for me too....has worked so far and is easy to do....

Just say'in like...

:)

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