Confessions of a troubled history in motorcycling

[Wingsconsin]

1978 Honda CX500 Standard
1985 Honda GL1200 Aspencade
1980 Honda GL1100 Interstate
1992 Honda GL1500 Goldwing
1996 Honda GL1500 Goldwing
1983 Honda CX500 Custom
1980 Honda CX500 Custom
1983 Suzuki GS650 GL
1983 Suzuki GS850 GL
2002 Honda GL1800 Goldwing
2003 Honda GL1800 Goldwing


That is a list of the motorcycles I have owned -

Notice anything they all have in common ???

All SHAFT Drives - :disillusionment:

I have never OWNED a Chain driven bike -- I do not know how to maintain nor adjust a chain on a motorcycle.

I don't think I am missing anything - but isn't shaft driven easier ...?

 

[Rob S.]

I don't think I am missing anything - but isn't shaft driven easier ...?

So you ride motorcycles because it's easier than driving a car? Hmm...shaft drive bicycles!

 

[GSXR7ED]

So you ride motorcycles because it's easier than driving a car? Hmm...shaft drive bicycles!

Are you saying “shaft drive” is the same as “axle drive”?

There’s preferences in maintenance...that may be the point here.

Ed

****

 

[Rob S.]

I think you need to see a cycle therapist.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Lol!

i know you’re kidding and making jokes, Mr Rob.

I am reading a book by a famous psychiatrist who has a peculiar uncle...Big time LOL!!!

Ed

****

 

[Buffalo Bill]

My shaft drive is my only choice is case of rain. Chain has to be dried out immediately after riding in the rain, or it starts to rust.
Shaft drive final drive ratios are final from the factory, no flexibility for performance tuning.
Shaft drive rear ends have a much higher unsprung weight that chain and sprocket.
Just some of the facts, man?

 

[GS1150Pilot]

1978 Honda CX500 Standard
1985 Honda GL1200 Aspencade
1980 Honda GL1100 Interstate
1992 Honda GL1500 Goldwing
1996 Honda GL1500 Goldwing
1983 Honda CX500 Custom
1980 Honda CX500 Custom
1983 Suzuki GS650 GL
1983 Suzuki GS850 GL
2002 Honda GL1800 Goldwing
2003 Honda GL1800 Goldwing


That is a list of the motorcycles I have owned -

Notice anything they all have in common ???

All SHAFT Drives - :disillusionment:

I have never OWNED a Chain driven bike -- I do not know how to maintain nor adjust a chain on a motorcycle.

I don't think I am missing anything - but isn't shaft driven easier ...?

As someone who has owned far more chain driven bikes than otherwise, I can definitely say that shaft and belt are easier.

 

[RichDesmond]

Easier? It depends. If you want to change your gearing, it's a heck of a lot harder.

 

[fbody_mike]

Shaft drives are great until something goes wrong, then you will wish it were a chain. Actually with today's O-ring chains it is not much work to keep them going.
For me, there was a 15 year period where I only had bikes with shaft drives, and when I bought a motorcycle with a chain, I found myself overly occupied thinking about cleaning, oiling, adjusting etc. Now it is something I just mess with every other week or so.

But as Bill stated, when it rains, only my shaft bike hits the road.

 

[Dogma]

They both have their purpose. It's not worth arguing about which is best. Both and neither.

An enclosed chain would be most of the best of both worlds, but it hasn't been done sine the early 20th century with a heavy casting. As far as know.

 

[Baatfam]

Enclosed chain?

1967 Honda CA-100 by R John Thieda, on Flickr

 

[Rob S.]

Cycle therapy? Nothing?

How about Shaft Bikes Matter? Shaft Drives Matter? You guys are no fun.

 

[RichDesmond]

They both have their purpose. It's not worth arguing about which is best. Both and neither.

An enclosed chain would be most of the best of both worlds, but it hasn't been done sine the early 20th century with a heavy casting. As far as know.

Yamaha XV920R

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_XV920R

 

[Grimly]

They both have their purpose. It's not worth arguing about which is best. Both and neither.

An enclosed chain would be most of the best of both worlds, but it hasn't been done sine the early 20th century with a heavy casting. As far as know.

MZ250 had one, which I used to commute for about 4 years in the early 80s. I think I had to adjust the chain once.
After that, I discovered Scott Oilers when one came fitted by the PO of a CBX550 I bought. The chain already on it lasted me about 30K and I adjusted it once in all that time. There was still plenty life left in the chain when I sold the bike.
The Stinking Old XS has a Scott (again, fitted by the one PO who wasn't a dirtbag) and I've barely had to look at the chain in the past several years.
I rapidly discovered during my CBX ownership that chainsaw bar oil is a more than adequate substitute for expensive Scott Oil - I'm fairly sure that's all S.Oil is, just dyed a pretty colour and ramped up in price by a factor of 5.

 

[Nessism]

1978 Honda CX500 Standard
1985 Honda GL1200 Aspencade
1980 Honda GL1100 Interstate
1992 Honda GL1500 Goldwing
1996 Honda GL1500 Goldwing
1983 Honda CX500 Custom
1980 Honda CX500 Custom
1983 Suzuki GS650 GL
1983 Suzuki GS850 GL
2002 Honda GL1800 Goldwing
2003 Honda GL1800 Goldwing

That is a list of the motorcycles I have owned -

Notice anything they all have in common ???

What strikes me is that they are almost all HONDA's! My condolences!

 

[GSXR7ED]

My shaft drive is my only choice is case of rain. Chain has to be dried out immediately after riding in the rain, or it starts to rust.
Shaft drive final drive ratios are final from the factory, no flexibility for performance tuning.
Shaft drive rear ends have a much higher unsprung weight that chain and sprocket.
Just some of the facts, man…

Meh, yeah... you have a point about the rain. But who wants to ride in potential wet weather...if you can help it?

How do dirt bikes with chains do well in the wet mud?

Like was said, no need to argue which is better...depends on the Rider.

Ed

****

 

[storm 64]

Two nice motorcycles, the rest...

 

[Rob S.]

...who wants to ride in potential wet weather...if you can help it?

Got caught in drizzle on the way home from the showroom on my brand new Sporty (just give me the keys and the owner's manual - I've been riding since before you were born).

And in the seven years that I've owned it, my 11E saw a mist maybe once. Haven't commuted in decades.

 

[Steve]

What strikes me is that they are almost all HONDA's! My condolences!

Even better than that, they're all water-cooled (except for the GSes). :encouragement:

.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Got caught in drizzle on the way home from the showroom on my brand new Sporty (just give me the keys and the owner's manual - I've been riding since before you were born).

And in the seven years that I've owned it, my 11E saw a mist maybe once. Haven't commuted in decades.

One thing I’ve learned (being in my mid 50s), throwing my weight around at work about my level of experience stirs up animosity in some/not all. Luckily, I’ve gotten past that.

Ed

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