Top 11 Best Motorcycle Chain Lubes in 2018 – Review & Buying Guide
If you are short on time but you want to find what the best motorcycle chain lube is, we have you covered. We have read the latest motorcycle chain lube reviews, consumer reports, surveys, and more to help you identify what the most popular products are. After this extensive research, we have concluded that the Maxima Chain Wax is the one you should consider. It is a versatile solution with superior performance designed to cater to all the needs your chain has so that you can keep it working correctly. The formula creates a waxy film that will offer long-term protection even in water and high humidity environments. As a plus, this model will penetrate deeply and lubricate the areas that are not readily accessible. If by any unfortunate event you are not able to find this product available for sale, we recommend you consider the DuPont Teflon Multi-Use instead.
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Finding the best motorcycle chain lubricant is a taxing task that not everyone is ready to undertake. To make everything easier for you, we have studied the market and identified some of the popular and high-quality models available. Take a look below if you want to see more.
Maxima Chain Wax
The exclusive Parafilm formula allows you to spray the lubricant on as a liquid and it will penetrate and then set up as a soft waxy film. This feature ensures that no part of the chain will remain unprotected while also making it much easier for the user to utilize the product.
The Maxima Chain Wax is also formulated with heavy-duty, anti-wear, and extreme pressure additives that will help provide superior lubrication for all chains, sprockets, and cables. So put your rugged and comfortable motorcycle boots on and enjoy yourself knowing that this unit will have your back.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($15.79)
DuPont Teflon Multi-Use
You can use it on high RPM chains like motorcycles, ATVs, Go-Karts and more. You may even use it around the house for garage and overhead door chains, windows, chains, or even your high-performance ATV winch. The lubricant can withstand temperatures of up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit or 149 degrees Celsius.
The clean, low-odor film is much more user-friendly than conventional heavy oils. This means that it will not attract and absorb abrasive contaminants compared with synthetic motor oils for example. It is formulated with calcium sulfonate to deliver a longer lubricant life and enhanced rust and corrosion protection.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($9.99)
PJ1 13oz Blue Label
It reduces chain shock and friction which results in less wear and fewer adjustment from the rider so that you can spend more time having fun and less having to repair your bike. Rust and corrosion will not occur since the formula used here will displace and repel water.
The petroleum-based clear formula was constructed so that it does not fly off, and thus will result in extended chain life. It also protects the sprocket surface form wear with a cushion effect between the rollers and the sprocket.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($19.65)
PJ1 Black Label
The Black Label model is built to be easy to apply, and it features a foaming action that penetrates into the pins and roller to create a tacky, grease-like coating that acts like a true shield designed to keep the chain protected. It is optimized primarily for standard non-O-ring chains, but it can also be used safely with O-Ring models and other types of chains.
After it penetrates the inside of the chain, the lube becomes a sticky substance that bounces back, and that has a memory effect that can handle continual mechanical stress.
This means that once applied, the formula used for the Black Label variant will stick to the chain for longer, even if the bike is used continuously.
Indeed, this is a care-free product that is as crucial for your bike as a durable and safe carbon fiber helmet is for the rider. As a plus, this is an environmentally friendly option with minimal rolling resistance.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($10.17)
Bel-Ray Super Clean
It is suited for all O, X, and Z ring and roller type chains for off-road, street, and racing use. No matter the type of rider you are, the Super Clean model will be able to cater to your unique needs. It does so efficiently and straightforwardly especially as the formula is white, and not the darker shades we were used to.
The white lube makes easier to know when the chain has been wholly lubed, all the way around. Darker sprays can make it more difficult to see when you are done lubing, especially in low light situations or if you don’t have a light source in your compact motorcycle storage shed.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($18.65)
DuPont Teflon Non-Stick
It is also excellent for high-temperature applications as this formula can withstand temperatures of up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit or 250 degrees Celsius. When you first spray it, it comes out as wet to penetrate, but after a few moments it sets up as a clean, dry, and white micro-thin coating.
The film can bond to most surfaces which means that you can get more bang for your buck and use this lube for hinges, locks, fasteners, mowers, outdoor power equipment, fishing, and so much more. It helps materials resist chemical contaminants or water and is as essential to the longevity of your bike as a quality motorcycle exhaust wrap.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($9.99)
Pit Posse PP3229-2
By using this advanced synthetic lubricant, the life of your chain and sprockets will be increased by dramatically reducing the wear that they usually face. The can design makes it easier than ever to apply the formula to any surface, and it can handle a max temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
By using a quick-penetrating formula, the Pit Posse model works its way between plates, pins and O and X-rings quickly. The protective coating that is left behind will remain in place for longer without flying off.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($19.95)
Motul M/C Care
This model comes in a 5.7 oz. container and if that may not seem like enough, you should consider that unlike the spray alternative, this paste is much easier to spread. This leads to a fewer amount of the formula necessary for proper lubrication.
Applying the paste might take longer, but the process is quite easy, especially considering that you get the brush applicator tip that helps to further simplify things. Once applied, the paste will last for a very long time on the chain. As a plus, the compact design makes it easier to store this unit in your awesome motorcycle backpack.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($11.21)
Nextzett Ultra Gel
It can outlast other greases, and it handles a wide temperature range from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to +430 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also resin and acid-free, and when applied, the liquid will penetrate the chain until it turns into a grease within seconds. It contains active corrosion protection with excellent adhesion.
The adhesion will keep the gel from slinging off the chain or attracting dust. It is also water-resistant which helps prevent rust and corrosion. As a plus, the Ultra Gel contains active O-ring protection for proper maintenance of motorcycle chains and sprockets.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($12)
Pro Honda Chain Lube
As if to make things even better, it also comes at an affordable price. It seems that when it comes to Pro Honda, it is possible to get a high-quality product without having to pay a fortune. This particular lube has been developed with the strict performance and durability testing of professional racing in mind.
The advanced technology used in this products guarantees the ultimate lubrication and protection. This is achieved with the addition of white graphite for superior performance. It can resist wear and weather so that your chain is protected for longer. It works at both low and high-temperature extremes.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($14.95)
Motul Factory Line
Thanks to the Boron Tech formula, the Factory Line reduces the rolling resistance and increases the efficiency of the transmission. This guarantees that the product can keep its lubricant properties even under high temperatures. The lubricant adheres to the chain even while you’re riding at high speeds.
All these features will help increase the lifespan of your chain, whether it is an O-ring, X-ring, or Z-ring. It contains a solvent capable of eliminating old residue and of penetrating into the links. The white color makes it much easier to apply the formula to the chain.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($18.79)
This Year’s Buying Guide
Have you been prospecting the market but you’re still wondering what motorcycle chain lube is best? Finding the right model takes time, as you will need to do some proper research. Being well informed is a first and crucial step that will aid you to find the best chain lube for motorcycle.
If time is a real problem for you, you don’t need to fret because we have it covered. We have gathered all the useful information currently available and compiled this comprehensive buyer’s guide for you. You’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned from it and narrow down your options until you’ve identified the chain lube that works best for you needs.
What to look out for first
With so many models available on the market today, you can be easily fooled to get a variant you don’t really need. You need to remember that not all lubes are ideal for all driving styles and chains, there are a few small aspects that need to be bored in mind before you go and prospect the market.
First, let’s take a quick look at the driving style as this one is much easier to gauge. If you enjoy riding off-road sometimes, you will have to get yourself a product that is dust resistant. While pretty much all the chains and lubes out there are water resistant, the same is not true when it comes to dust resistance.
Dust can be a real problem, and you should never underestimate the impact it can have on the lifespan of your model, especially when this issue can be solved easily with the proper lubricant. Even if you only ride every so often through dusty areas, it is much better to be safe and use a dust-proof lube or wax for your bike.
You also need to be careful that the product you’ve just bought can be used with the type of chainring that your motorcycle has. The two main types of motorcycle chains are the O-ring and the X-ring. There is not much difference between the two, except that the X-ring offers slightly better performance and longevity, although it does so with a heftier price tag.
These two types may seem somewhat similar, but putting the wrong kind of lube on your chain risks ruining it, which is why you should be extra-careful and check that the model you have in mind is compatible with the chainring.
Types of lubes
A lubricant works by penetrating deep into the moving parts of the chain and by clinging to the metal so that it provides a protective layer to keep it running smoothly. Typically, they are made up of a carrier fluid which contains certain particles that act to reduce friction.
There are three main types of lubes available – wet, dry, and all-purpose. Knowing which one to choose is essential. In the case of the wet and dry alternatives, they all offer condition-specific advantages that are well worth your time.
The wet lubes, as the name gives it away, are designed to function in humid and wet condition, and they feature a carrier fluid with a higher level of viscosity. In more straightforward terms, this means that it stays moist when applied to the chain, clings better, and that makes it less likely to be washed off.
It does have a downside – the fact that it tends to pick up dirt and grit much more easily than the dry lube, and that can eventually end up covering your entire chain and transmission in a grinding black paste. To avoid this, you will need to tend to your chain more frequently, and clean it as often as you see necessary.
Dry lubes are made with a carrier fluid that is thinner, and that evaporates after being applied, leaving the friction-reducing particles in place. As you’ve probably already guessed, the dry variant works efficiently in dry and dusty conditions.
It protects and lubricates your chain without also acting as a magnet for mud. As a plus, it can also be washed off easily once conditions turn damp. To get the best out of the dry alternative, experts recommend you only apply one layer and leave to dry. After it dries, you can apply another and leave it to dry again.
Finally, we have the all-purpose lube that tries to combine the best of both worlds and compromise on features to be suitable for general mixed conditions or for people that don’t want to fiddle with their ride too much.
The downside is that you will have to say goodbye to all the condition-specific advantages that have been presented above. This variant also requires frequent re-application.
Spray vs. paste
Another critical way in which chain lube can be differentiated is the form that it comes in. The most popular version is the one that comes in a spray can. The question you’re now probably having in your mind is which of the two versions is superior. This is a question that is difficult to answer since it has a lot to do with the preferences of each user.
The spray or aerosol version tends to be a lot easier to use and makes lubing your chain a fast and straightforward task. The downside is that you can also end up making a mess anytime you try to aim the spray can at the chain since you are bound to miss sometimes.
The paste variant, on the other hand, comes in a toothpaste-type tube with a brush-on applicator and is colored white so that you can keep track of where you’ve applied it much easier. Since we’re talking about brush-painting the chain, as you’re probably expecting, this is a much more time-consuming task.
The advantage is that you can lube the chain much more thoroughly with the paste and get even the hard-to-reach places. As a plus, once applied, the paste tends to last much longer than spray, and it also doesn’t come off as quickly.
Chain cleaners
Getting a quality chain cleaner is just as important as getting a chain lube because you want to properly remove any old and dirty lubricant before you apply a new one. This will help extend the lifespan of your bike and keep it running smoothly.
When it comes to choosing a cleaner, you can’t just go for the first product you see such as degreasing liquids, because when used as bike cleaners these can damage the paintwork or even the frame and other parts. You should look for cleaners that are formulated without the use of sodium hydroxide, or other acids and solvents.
While it is possible to use a concentrated degreaser as a general bike cleaner, it requires you know how to dilute it properly. To be completely honest, this is too much trouble and should only be done if you know what you are doing. It is not worth it, not when there are so many good alternatives on the market today.
According to experts, it is imperative that the cleaning agents or chain lubes that you choose don’t attack the seal. You should only select cleaners or chain sprays that have been thoroughly tested with O, X, and Z rings.
To add to that, the material compatibility is also paramount since the product you use could come into direct contact with parts of your bike around the chain such as the aluminum rims, varnish, steel components and more. You need to make sure that the formula that you use will not damage them.
While this is not always the case, the golden rule is that the cheaper such a cleaner is, the less likely it is that it has been appropriately tested by the manufacturer. Sure, there are exceptions to the rule, but unless you see it stated clearly on the label that it has been tested correctly, you should avoid such alternatives.
There are two main types of chain cleaners available today: solvent-based and water-based. The pure solvent-based models are sprayed on the dirty chain until the chain is visibly clean.
The water-based version is sprayed on the chain in the form of a liquid, but it then becomes a gel-like substance in a matter of seconds. This allows it to stick to the dirty chain and thus it is able to get to work and eliminate the dirt and grit. You can then rinse it off with water to reveal your now clean chain.
Out of the two, experts tend to recommend the water-based cleaners for a few key reasons. First, they tend to be more efficient, and you’ll end up using less of them with the same result as the solvent-based products. They also spend more time on the chain attacking the dirt and grime, and this makes them much more effective.
What’s more, this is also an environmentally friendly version which means it will not leave substances that can damage the environment while cleaning your bike. Since this version is gentle, it is also less likely to react with other surfaces on your bike.
To ease up your work for chain cleaning, you may also buy a special chain cleaning device to make the job easier. The small plastic box can fit around the chain, and it contains a series of rollers and brushes.
Frequently asked questions about motorcycle chain lubricants
Can I use motorcycle chain lube on a bicycle?
You have to consider the fact that if not entirely the same, the chains of both motorcycle and bikes function using the same principle. They both need to be adequately lubricated if you want them to work correctly, and they both encounter the same obstacles and debris.
This means that you shouldn’t have a problem using a motorcycle chain lube for your bicycle, especially when you consider the fact that there are lots of multi-purpose alternatives on the market today. You can use these products to lubricate pretty much any mechanical instrument. For bicycles, we recommend you use a dry lube.
How to apply motorcycle chain lube
After you have figured out what type of chain you have and gotten yourself the appropriate chain lube, it is time to put the motorcycle in position and start spraying with chain cleaner. While doing that, you can check for chain wear to ensure that everything is running smoothly.
After cleaning, you will have to dry the chain, take your time with it and make sure you entirely remove the cleaner before you lubricate. After this stage is done, you can get on with the actual task of applying the lube. Applying the lube is the most straightforward step. The best way to lube a motorcycle chain is to make sure you apply it evenly to all sides.
What is motorcycle chain lube?
Chain lube is a substance which is meant to reduce friction between surfaces that find themselves in mutual contact. In the case of chains, this substance is a must since it helps reduce the heat generated when the chain rotates at high speed. It also prevents it from getting clogged with debris.
Similarly, the lubricant can also have the added benefit of carrying away internally generated debris and external contaminants that could potentially be introduced into the system. A quality motorcycle chain lube can drastically extend the lifespan of both the chain and the bike.
How often should I use lube on my motorcycle chain?
This is a bit of a tricky question. Most motorcycle brands recommend that you lubricate the chain for every 500 kilometers that you travel. But that it is not always the case since many things could interfere with your chain, and that could mean that you need to lube more often.
You can also check the owner’s manual that came with your bike as that is the best source of information that you can get about your vehicle. Even then, you can always gauge the status of your chain by looking at it.
If you are a weekend rider, it’s best you follow the lube schedule in the manual, but otherwise, the best thing you can do is to inspect the chain and lube accordingly.
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