How long to run the chain?

[thetruck454]

I change the chain case oil every season and check/adjust tension, but it donned on me that I don'r really know if I should be replacing the chain too. How long have people been running their original chain? I see the service manual says to take the chain out and measure the distance between 15 links in different places, but I think taking the case apart every season to do that seams excessive.

 

[yamadoo]

I have 12- 14k miles on my 4 stroke and like you change chain case oil every year.

I have heard some say to change chain and gears every 10k but to date no issues for me and and no regular posts of problems. There was a thread were a guy reported that he measured his chain at over 10k miles and was OK. So I am going to continue to ride.

I ride much less 'STUPID' now then when I was young and figure if the drive trains can hold up to the big HP numbers the guys with turbos and Super Chargers can run my trail cruisen should be well tolerated. May be wishful thinking, I know but seems like a huge expense and time.

I have found with my Apex I ride less agressive as I have nothing to Prove. Yes I can catch and pass you. Yes I have the power to carrry the skis. With the APEX it is more often is it SAFE to.............what ever, NOT do I have enough power to do what ever.

My two cents.

Yamadoo

 

[yammi4ever]

Chain roughly $100. Chaincase Will cost lots more if the chain breaks and takes it with it and the downtime for a sport that is too short already.

I am changing every 1000 miles but I am boosted and don't want to take the chance.

 

[s1d3w1nd3r1480]

Chain roughly $100. Chaincase Will cost lots more if the chain breaks and takes it with it and the downtime for a sport that is too short already.

I am changing every 1000 miles but I am boosted and don't want to take the chance.

I can understand and completely agree with preventative measures but dang that adds up after a while at $100 every 1000 miles. That is at least once a season for me (hopefully twice if its a good year). The maintenance and fuel costs are rising and this sport already cost so much as it is that seems like it is quite overkill for the most of us (yes you do say boosted so I would agree if you have the money, do it). I would say for the normal trail rider/ditchbanger there should be no worries about the chain but at the amount of miles the original author has I would say if I had the money I would do it for peace of mind but if budget is tight I wouldn't worry about it. Just my opinion though, take it with a grain of salt

 

[SledWrecker]

How often does the manual say to do the inspection? That's a good indicator of when it might be time to replace it (on stock non-boosted setup of course.)

 

[kkraus]

Wow! I have been riding High HP sleds for 30 years. V Max 4 10,000 miles. SRX 9000 miles, Warrior 10,000 miles, and now a Nytro 6500 and counting. I change the chain case oil and adjust every year. I have never had or heard of chain or chain case failure on a Yamaha. Must be one of the lucky ones.

 

[thetruck454]

How often does the manual say to do the inspection? That's a good indicator of when it might be time to replace it (on stock non-boosted setup of course.)

I think it says every year or 2500 miles

 

[Dimebag]

A buddy of mine ripped his chain in pieces on his 300 hp apex turbo. Luckily for him he got away with "just" a broken chaincase cover and chain.

Personally I believe the failure came from bad servicing, and not checking the tension correctly.
He is not exactly the most mechanicly skilled person i know of..)

I got 12000 km on my original chain mostly boosted. Im sticking with it one more season before i change it out.