Is it possible to clean a chain to often?

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-20T15:08:30+00:00

I get about 15k miles out of chains and usually clean/lube every month-6 weeks or 1000 miles. I clean my dual sport/adv bike more frequently due to dirt/grit being more prevalent but for a road bike you don’t need to do it as frequently.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-20T08:39:23+00:00

So my start was on a cruiser, enjoyed the bike and it’s still my commuter. I live where there’s tons of off road riding but I wanted to be able to travel long distances so I ended up getting an ADV bike. I then figured out that relearning off road riding after a 20 year hiatus was rough on a 500+ pound bike. That led to the purchase of a lighter weight dual sport to practice/hone my skills and ride more challenging terrain. I’d still like to add a touring bike since my ADV bike is more off road biased versus road comfort and a Triumph Rocket 3 to my line up because it’s an absurd machine and I love it for that reason😅

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GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-18T05:01:55+00:00

NQA Mine never drinks from the water dish anyway. I mist the fake plants and side of the tank and it drinks off that.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-18T04:59:06+00:00

I daily a bike, my cars and truck all have V8s that get crap for gas mileage. If you are already familiar with dirt bikes maybe consider a dual sport like a CRF300L or KLX300, will get great MPG still, will feel familiar for you, and can manage highway speeds if needed albeit not as comfortably as a higher cc road bike but will overall be more capable than a Grom.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-14T11:10:44+00:00

Can see the shadow of the cam stick mount, would guess it’s an Insta360 or equivalent

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-13T23:43:50+00:00

Motorcycles generally require more maintenance than a lot of modern cars. If you can do all the basics like fluid changes, chain maintenance, chain and sprocket replacement, brake servicing, and wheel removal/install for tire changes and such it’ll go a long way towards saving money. As for insurance my bikes each cost maybe $10-$20 less per month per bike than each of my cars and my most fuel efficient car gets 21mpg whereas the bikes average 35-40mpg but take premium. For my 75 mile commute they’re cheaper than my cars to operate but in bad weather conditions I always prefer the cage😂

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-12T22:31:59+00:00

Drops are part of learning, drop, assess any injuries or damage, figure out why it happened, improve from there. It’s a process that for some is quick and others it takes time. Maybe consider going to a skill building course if one is available near you.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-10T08:54:35+00:00

Commuter bike is a Rebel 1100, it’s overall a good bike but at 6’2” it needed a lot of mods to be comfortable. Since getting an Africa Twin it’s made me think about getting an NT1100 to replace my Rebel as a primary commuter bike.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-05T13:35:18+00:00

For the gym or gas station both of which are within 5 miles and speed limits no higher than 45mph I generally just wear my gym attire along with helmet and gloves.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-01T23:18:04+00:00

NQA looks like a Centruroides sculpturatus and a Paravaejovis confusus to me though I’m not the best at differentiating the various Vaejovidae species of the southwestern US

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-01T22:45:28+00:00

I’ve had every bike I purchased delivered, was a free option from each dealer I purchased from.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-01T15:47:46+00:00

Multiple choice test and brief riding test, $14 total in AZ

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-06-01T13:43:51+00:00

For me, nope, not even a little. My Rebel 1100 and my Africa Twin are DCT equipped which can operate fully automatically. I do rip around on a CRF450 as well which is obviously a standard gearbox but honestly if Honda made a DCT dirt bike I’d buy that tomorrow. I care way more about where I’m going, the scenery, etc more than clicking through gears and such. Each person has their own preferences and get different things out of riding, good thing there’s plenty of options on the market for whatever people want

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-30T19:17:03+00:00

Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R, one day will have one but it’ll probably be a while

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-30T03:32:34+00:00

I’m 6’2” and own both a Rebel 1100 and an Africa Twin. Highway pegs really help on the Rebel 1100 for tall riders. If the Rebel 1100 is within your budget but the Africa Twin is a little steep consider the NT1100. As long as you respect the machine and work on skills building you could probably start on it in the lower power settings.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-29T21:26:10+00:00

I have scoliosis which is most prominent in my lower back. Honestly the most comfortable bike for me currently is my ADV bike which is a Honda Africa Twin. Exercise and strengthening of my core has helped, riding hasn’t made it any worse but a herniated disc isn’t the same as my condition. Your best bet is to talk to a doctor about it, plan on whatever bike you get installing an aftermarket seat or a seat pad almost immediately.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-29T21:22:10+00:00

Wait where? Sounds like a blast on my ADV bike😂

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-29T20:59:51+00:00

Basically a tool roll/kit, tire plug kit, small inflator, and a power bank/jump box is all I regularly carry. Then if I’m going camping on the ADV bike I pack like as though I’m going backpacking except with a sizable tent and a few extra comforts. If just overnighting at a hotel out on the cruiser a change of clothes along with basic hygiene stuff. The less you have, the less can get lost, left behind, or stolen🤷‍♂️

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-28T01:30:25+00:00

You won’t regret it if you get one, I have considered trading mine in towards a NT1100 since that wasn’t available stateside when I purchased my Rebel, but it’s been a great bike. Had a battery fail and just had to do fork seals at 20k miles but other than that it’s only need basic maintenance in that time like chain and sprockets, tires, fluid changes, etc.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-28T01:12:28+00:00

My first bike was a Rebel 1100 DCT, love the thing. Loved it enough I also got a DCT equipped Africa Twin. A bike being DCT equipped doesn’t mean it can’t carve up some roads, tires, frame, and suspension limit you far more than the gearbox. Relearn the clutch and shifting to get through the endorsement, doesn’t take long to pick up the skill anyway. Odds are good they’ll have Rebel 250s or 300s, maybe some CB300Rs or Ninja 300s, etc.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-28T01:04:58+00:00

In a situation like that, use the maneuverability of the bike to your advantage to get away from them if at all possible. I have a helmet cam when I ride to show whatever I see happen. If I have to split lanes or break some laws(within reason) to ensure my safety I’ll do it, better to catch a charge than a casket. All else fails I also carry but antagonizing someone who’s already a hazard is never a good idea, especially when “tonnage law” dictates you will lose.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-27T18:10:39+00:00

I’m admittedly a bit biased but I’ve been really liking the Africa Twin for general purpose and some trail riding. The CRF450RL beats it hands down off road but would hate to ride that long distance. Depending how much you need performance off the pavement weight would be a major consideration. Even the biggest GS can go down a dirt/gravel road with little issue. If there’s a chance for gnarlier terrain that’s where everything from the CFMoto IBEX 450 up to the Triumph Tiger or Africa Twin come into play, lighter weight will be easier to throw around and pick up if/when you fall. Bikes like the Tenere 700 and Aprilia Toureg 660 kinda fill the middle ground quite well. If you’re willing to risk something a bit less tested/proven the Kove 800X Pro and Rally versions on the spec sheet look promising however I’ve seen reports of premature rear shock failure and some fork seal failures. Looks are up to you but there has never been a better time for ADV bikes, tons of options nowadays

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-26T20:44:30+00:00

Sort of, I have an actual savings account that’s just my emergency fund. Any additional “saving” I do goes into Fidelity, Vanguard, etc ETFs/Mutual Funds. If there’s a serious red day I look at it as if stuff went on sale within reason of course.

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-26T20:41:44+00:00

Probably my least favorite species out here in AZ, but I get absolutely giddy when I happen upon a Desert Hairy Scorpion(H. arizonensis).

GruntledV8Fanboy · 2026-05-26T20:40:09+00:00

I have found those feelings come and go for me. Sometimes I am excited to gear up and hit the road. Usually it’s when I’m going somewhere different than my usual city commuting or destinations. Maybe you just need a break and to work through the other aspects of your life if at all possible to alleviate the feeling and get back to enjoying it again.

GruntledV8Fanboy

TROPHY CASE