sidekick
los angelas
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Joined: 11/25/2003
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I'm gonna buy a bike, and i was orignially looking for a chain drive, because they put up with more abuse, but, the more i think about it the more i think a shaft would be nice. From what i gather, all you do is lubricate it occasionally and that's it, where as with chain you lubricate often, and adjust and replace periodically. I was wondering if any of you with experience would advise me against one or the other for whatever reason.
btw, i don't intend to do wheelies, or abuse my bike very seriously in other ways.
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flatshift5
Allentown, PA
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Joined: 11/24/2003
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shaft drive bikes do not need lubricating by their owners. the shafts are contained in a "tube" and lubricated on their own, along with the rear final drive unit, with a fluid lube. that lube needs to be checked and or replaced at periotic levels.
a chain needs to be lubed every 2-300 miles or so and cleaned and relubed at certain intervals. i clean and relube mine every 700-1000 miles. i lube only after every 1-200 miles. it's no big deal with a rear stand, and it's cheap up-keep. oh....and there's periotic tightening if you get stretching.
there are benefits to both. with a chain, getting caught in the rain means a cleaning and relubing, no matter what. a chain costs me 100 bucks every 10000-13000 miles, depending on how hard i ride. (sportbike) with that chain, i'm more than likely to replace the sprockets as well. (front is steel and rear is aluminum) total cost=$175.00 and my time.
shaft drive is really flawless, with the exception of fluid changes and the added weight of the system. if weight is no big thing to you, and then it may be for you!!
"Life's a journey, not a destination..."-Aerosmith
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sidekick
los angelas
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Joined: 11/25/2003
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thanks for the reply. weight is not a significant issue with me right now. i'm looking for a nice, practical bike, and a little weight from a shaft drive won't matter to me.
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BlackZZR
California
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Joined: 01/02/2004
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I have owned a shaft. Back in the early 80s I had a gs850, wonderful bike for its time. shaft drive never gave me any problems and I put 54 thou on the bike before I sold it.
I enjoyed the fact that you didn't need to carry lube on trips, check the slack of the chain before riding or get lube all over the rear wheel.
Since that bike I have only owned chain bikes, but that is because sport bikes started evolving and I went in that direction.
I hear that shafts use up Horse power but cannot say how much they use.
I would recomend a shafty to anyone, the bike manufacturers have been building them for decades and have the tech. down pact.
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itchybro
Knoxville TN USA
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Joined: 12/07/2003
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Being a current BMW owner and having pretty good luck for quite a few miles so far, my favorite shaft bikes at the moment are: R1100/50RT (that's what I own) or the sportier R1100S (that's what I'm coveting at the moment)
The RT series is probably the best compromise between sport and touring (leaning a little more toward the touring side) and the "S" leans a bit more toward the sport side. Both bikes use the R259 opposed twin mill which has a proven history. (it also is known for "character" so do your research. read "surge" but, mine has been flawless thus far.)
Not to be labeled a beemer schnobb, check out the latest generation of Moto Guzzi's. The "Breva" models look VERY cool. If sport is your bag, I rode a V11 Rossa Corsa Le Mans this summer at the Honda hoot that was out of this world! Also shaft drive.
There are some great ones out there.
--------------------------------
The Pioneers had a hard life but, every now and then someone would break out a fiddle and make it worse.
96 BMW 1100RT
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recycl8
Charleston South Carolina
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Joined: 12/10/2003
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You forgot to mention price tag on those NICE BMW's..lol The Concours is a good bike, right? well 108 horspower yet 91 at the rear wheel, it's a shaft drive. Could the shaft rob that much? has to be some other gremlin in there somewhere, or else that bike DID get the shaft.
which is stronger btw, chain or shaft? now I'm confused
Chain is great for the twisties, less unsprung weight, and none of that gyroscopic force fighting against you, I'm sure there are other reasons yet I have no clue...lol
I hear the BMW RS is AWESOME, best in it's class on power and handling, yet extremely uncomfortable, not something very desireable in a Sport Tourer, it leans well, yet also leans more towards the Sport side. Also the antilock brakes...usless on the BMW , if you REALLY slam on the brake, all you get is a click click click,(can you say screwed) just what I read anyway.
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flatshift5
Allentown, PA
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Joined: 11/24/2003
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BMW's..........(drooooool....)
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BradleyRas
Harrisburg, PA USA
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Joined: 12/31/2003
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I'd take shaft drive anyday over chain...
chain:
regular adjustments and lubrication every 400 miles
cleaning (can be very dirty)
chain oil flys on wheel/bodywork
the dredded broken chain!ugg
replacing the chain/sprokets every 20,000miles
shaft:
change shaft oil every 60,000 miles......
02 ZZR1200-Ivan's jet kit, Muzzy 4-1TiOval,Corbin seat, Genmar risers, ZeroGravity ST screen, Fenda Extenda, Ventura Light Guard, Emblemectomy, Dunlop D220ST's, LP Tank Bra, Unlimited ear to ear grins )
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flatshift5
Allentown, PA
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Joined: 11/24/2003
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ahh.....whatta you know. you're from harrisburg.....(chuckle chuckle)
i agree....... since i ride a sportbike, weight is an issue with me. shaft drive is terrific. it's smoother than a chain and cleaner. if i rode a cruiser, or something similar, i'd spring for the shaft drive.
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BradleyRas
Harrisburg, PA USA
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Joined: 12/31/2003
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Flatshift, did you see the rediculous "strawberry cow" that Harrisburg dropped for NewYears? A fooking cow painted pink with black spots..supposed to look like a strawberry...
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