The top motorbike chain lubes

The majority of motorcycles use a chain to take drive from the output of the gearbox to the rear wheel - some use a belt and comparatively more use a shaft but a chain is by far the most common. However, it has two main disadvantages over a belt or shaft; over time it will wear and stretch and require its tension adjusting (as will a belt) and it will also wear with the sprockets and potentially corrode, meaning it will need to be lubricated and protected.

This is where chain lube comes in. It has a dual purpose of helping to eliminate friction and hence, wear and keep the chain working smoothly while preventing it from picking up damage from dirt or moisture and shortening its life.

Are there different types of chains?

There are two types of chain; an open-chain which is typically used on lower-capacity bikes or off-roaders and needs cleaning and lubricating frequently while O-Ring or X-Ring chains use sealed rollers to keep lubricant in place. However, the latter still requires lubricant where the rollers act on the sprockets, for example as well as protection from corrosion.

In addition to different types of chain, there are also different kinds of lubricant available, depending on the time of year, the use of the bike, and the anticipated time between cleans and reapplications. For example, dry lubes will generally be a fine spray as opposed to a liquid (wet) lube while a wax will go on thicker and leave a residue, typically white.

Our recommended chain lubes:

MCN Editor Richard Newland has been using this for a while, and said: “There’s one trait that I’m particularly impressed by. Most sprays are oily and leave a wet residue that stays there until it’s washed away with detergent, but when you spray Fin Super on, it goes dry and looks like it’s simply evaporated.”

Pros

Dry-film so no chain fling

Multiple uses

Cleans and lubricates chain

Cons

Not cheap