Oiling my chain yesterday I noticed that it seems to have a few �tight� links. They don�t flatten out after leaving the sprocket and stay with a slight kink. Probably these do straighten out under power, but not when turning the wheel by hand.

After 10,000 miles the sprockets are also showing signs of wear, but are not badly hooked.

I don't use a Scott-Oiler and the bike is used for commuting all year round in all weathers and the occasional off-road venture.

Time for a new chain and sprocket set before if jumps off ?

Yamaha original or other recommendation ?

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Sounds like a good idea yes, prevention is better than repair and all that......DID is good stuff. Ciao.

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(Now sold on, sob) 2011 Blue XT660X with gold wheels, was 26,500 km.
Engine mods: K&N Stage 1 filter, DNA Stage 2 filter, snorkel removed, Kev fuel mod fitted.
Plus: smoked Puig screen, Yam aluminium sump guard, Yamaha / Acerbis handguards, Givi Trekker aluminium side cases, Leo Vince X3 cans plus Kev front fork mod and Fender Xtender. Just fitted Michelin Road Pilot 3 tyres.

SOLD the XTX for a Super Ten 1200. And just bought a Raptor 700 so staying on here for some tips....

Pull the chain rearwards away from the rear sprocket to gauge how worn the chain/sprockets are. If the chain doesn't lift off the sprocket too much all is good (just lube the chain with light oil to help loosen sticky links. (don't use WD40 or similar as this could wash past the o-rings and dissolve the grease.)

What ever chain you decide to go for I would recommend a scotoiler or similar. Any particular reason you don't use one already?

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Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big an wear glasses if you need em.

I had a Scottoiler and couldn't live with the mess. It didn't help that the reservoir in the model I had was only good for 500 miles. I think anyway that oiling by hand encourages you to check the chain rather than forgetting about it.

Nick: the chain that I replaced when we were in Casablanca had done over 20,000 miles with much grinding due to sand/oil paste on pistes, but the sprockets were almost mint. MotoPlus fitted a MZ chain which is the make that got all the bad publicity on the BMW F650/800GS bikes, but the version I have is much higher spec. Having said that, DID is highly rated.

Have a look at the chains offered by Greg Masters on UKGSer, http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=294135

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Thanks Tim!

having 4 offroaders it's a constant battle to stay on top of maintenance and cost,

I just fitted a new chain and sprockets at 13,700 miles. Same thing, chain was kinking but wasn't completely worn out but I was reaplacing collapsed carrier bearing so replaced chain and cush drive and stripped the rear linkage all at the same time. I use a Scottoiler and the bike spends about 70% of it's life on trails so maintence is more regular and dedicated. I fitted the DID Extreme ( gold chain ) which is about two grades above o/e.

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Touratech big guard. Yamaha handlebar guards. Pivot Pegz. Yam main stand. Camel Toe. 30 mm risers. 14 tooth front sprocket. Big balls. Old and not wise.

Not 100% convinced by the economics ... the cost of a Scott Oiler is probably a bit more than a new chain and sprocket set.

Not 100% convinced about using one off-road - too much oil tends to carry more grit on the chain.

As Tim says - it can be messy and frequent manual inspection and lube is good practice.

And I am embarassed to say I have never kept a bike with a chain long enough to justify buying one - maybe this is a reflection that I like my Tenere more than previous bikes :-) and that I tend to do my higher mileage journeys on my 1200 GS (shaft drive).

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Yes a lot of oil goes on, but most flings off (hence the mess) taking the grit with it - this is the main advantage of the Scottoiler. I can guarantee using a standard lube/wax you will get a lot more grit carried on your chain than you would with a Scottoiler.

Inspecting your chain is good practice weather you have a Scottoiler or not, I have one fitted and always inspect the chain weekly. Mines done just over 20000 miles on OE chain and sprockets and still going strong with a Scottoiler, so its already paid for itself. GULG has done even more I think.

Each to their own, but the "mess" (which is a lot easier to clean off than lube) is small price to pay for getting twice as many miles out of your chain set IMHO.

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+1
I regularly go over the chain with a toothbrush to get rid of any dirt but have been asking myself why lately as the scotoiler seems to keep it clean no matter how much dirt/mud/moss/sand covers the rest of the bike.

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Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big an wear glasses if you need em.