drive chains and sprockets should last quite long, for me the OEm chain lasted 22,000 miles.
Now with my X-ring chain I have yet to do any adjustments and lubricating the chain is more like every 1000 miles. This chain is supposedly guaranteed for up to 40,000 miles along with the sprockets. Takes me 30 min. to clean and lube.
i like shafts but the extra weight = less fuel mileage but at least it will always be aligned.
One thing you can count on: You push a man too far, and sooner or later he'll start pushing back.
I'm sold on shaft drives. Maintenance is absolute minimal and the smoothness is just uncomparable (but belt is pretty darn close).
It's a trade-off really. If it were a race bike, the entire bike has to be maintained religiously so maintaining a chain is one of many tasks.
As far a belt, reliability is high with kevlar being mainstream today. You just can't go wrong with either belt or shaft. As long as it has one of those, my priorities are focused elsewhere.
2003 VN1500P Kawasaki Mean Streak
2009 Yamaha Nytro FX
Had chain on my first two bikes and they were a pain to maintain. One more thing to check, grease and change out...no way
The kevlar belts on my snowmobile were great until they broke when you were out in the middle of nowhere and had to swap out with the spare. Don't see riders carrying around a spare belt. Would hate to be up in the mountains and have my bike's belt break.
Love the shaft drive on my bike...sure it needs an oil change eventually but don't have to think about it stretching or breaking...Go shaft drive...
well, i have finalized my thoughts and im waiting for the yamaha 1300.
hopefully it is as comfy as the honda..
yamaha -
FI
liquid cooled
style
lighter
seat sits lower (according to specs)
and the dealer here is awsome (so in the honda but hey!)
honda -
carbed (love the classic, but love fi also)
air cooled (i like the color of antifreeze espcially the blue one that audi had)
heavier
seat sits higher
You may or may not want to consider the routine maintenance costs. Yamaha vs Honda. I own both, my Vstar costs me about $270 every 4000 miles for service. It's because Yamaha has to have the valves adjusted each time the bike is serviced.
Honda has, what I was told, a floating valve system that never needs adjusting. My 4000 mile service on my Sabre cost only 85.00. The real big service comes down the road when all fluids will be changed.
Me personally I love shaft driven. I started my son out on a Yahama 250 and like mentioned in a previous post, we were constanly adjusting and oiling the chain. Not only oiling but as said, it makes a mess around the wheel.
Bottom line is get what you like, I think most bikes are excellent, it depends on the user.
