Best Motorcycle Chain Lube Reviewed
Motorcycle chains deserve the same attention given to other components of the bike because any failure to check them can lead to a malfunctioning bike. It is highly likely for the chain to be clogged with grime and dirt especially for off-road travels, or even suffer corrosion due to an exposure to humid and wet environments. The best motorcycle chain lube can do a great job in enhancing the lubrication of your chain to reduce friction while extending its longevity.
There is a wide range of these chain lubes on the market, and so picking one could be a stressful ordeal especially if you are an amateur in motorbikes. Having been in the market for a long time maintaining and caring for motorbikes, I have selected the best motorcycle chain lubes to save you money. Not every lube is best suited for any kind of chain. There are different aspects such as chain type, viz. O, Z or X-type, and also the type of the lube.
Without further ado, let’s delve into the best reviews of motorcycle lubes on the market. The reviews culminate into a comprehensive buyer’s guide where I have discussed the important features and answered frequently asked questions.
Best Motorcycle Chain Lube on the Market
Maxima Chain Wax – Aerosol
Maxima brand is not amateur in the market.
It is renowned for its technologically advanced lubricants that give chains a long-lasting protection against the elements.
Maxima Chain Wax is an aerosol type of the lube which is pretty easy to apply on your chain in little time.
But beware of how you apply lest you spray other components and then harm them.
If this sounds familiar to your situation then this lube could be the best buy for you. The formula is best suited for all chain care needs.
Any wear, rust, and corrosion that have plagued your chain can be treated with ease using this Para-film formula.
More benefit to this formula is that it penetrates deep into your chain to reach even the seemingly unreachable surfaces. All thanks to the aerosol type.
Also, when applied the solution does not attract dirt or dust to the chain. This makes it a suitable formula for off-road riding adventures.
Do not forget cleaning the chain before applying the lube.
Tip: Note that this is flammable solution so you need to exercise caution when applying it. Do not spray in close proximity to flames as it may be dangerous.
Moreover, avoid a prolonged exposure to the fumes of the lube to safeguard your health. I recommend using it in an open environment with enough ventilation.
- Advanced spray lubricant for all types of motorcycles
- Para-film formula for long-term protection against corrosion and rust
- Does not attract dirt, dust and other types of grime
- Penetrates deeply
- Prolonged exposure not good for your health
- It is flammable
Final Verdict
This Maxima flagship is a great choice for all types of chains. It brings the best solution to corrosion and rust problems of your chains.
Furthermore, it gives a long term protection with its unique Para-film composition by leaving a wax film on the chain, and it also penetrates to reduce friction in your chain links. That’s a product worth buying.
DuPont Teflon Chain-Saver Dry Lubricant
Improve the performance of your motorcycle chain with this technologically-advanced Teflon Fluoropolymer formula specifically made for O-ring chains.
DuPont Teflon Chain-Saver Dry Lubricant is a budget-friendly solution with no fling-off and no stains.
Worth considering is its patented self-cleaning solution that can penetrate deeply and coat your surfaces to reduce friction. This will improve the performance and smooth operation of the chain.
No contaminants or any other dirt that the formula can absorb.
DuPont has a broad range of products that can enhance the performance of your bike. When applying this lube, do not forget to clean the chain using the DuPont Motorcycle Degreaser with bio-degradable ingredients.
It removes grime, dirt and other contaminants and also prepares the chain for the lube.
When applying any formula composed of Teflon, you must avoid a prolonged exposure to it as it has cons as much as it has pros. Other people have previously reported flu-like symptoms for any extended exposure to the fumes.
Other than that, it is a great formula best suited for protecting the chains against corrosion and rust. It has no silicons or any other abrasive ingredient.
If your chain was usually stretching and the cable slopping, this formula can be a great solution.
- Contains a high-performing Teflon Fluoropolymer formula
- Protects the chain against rust and corrosion
- Penetrates deeply to reduce friction
- Prolonged exposure to fumes not healthy
Final Verdict
This is a budget-friendly motorcycle chain lube on the market. It shouldn’t be cumbersome or financially-straining to spend your hard earned cash on this effective solution.
I recommend it to any avid motorcyclists or any other chain-driven equipment such as bicycles.
Motul M/C Care Factory Line Chain Lube
If you’re not a typical person obsessed with off-road riding pleasures then this lube could be yours.
It leaves a milky color after applying it on your chain.
This could take a few hours until it solidifies and give a long-term protection against the elements.
Motul M/C Care Factory Line Chain Lube is best suited for all types of chains, viz. O-ring, Z-ring and X-ring. It provides all chain care needs, reduces friction by penetrating to deeper surfaces.
For a perfect adhesion on your chain, you have to clean the chain first. Get rid of the existing grime and dirt so the lube is applied on a cleaner surface.
If you’re impressed with this brand you can get the Motul C1 Chain Cleaner as a supplement to this lube. Do not forget the brush as well for even application of the formula on your chain.
On overall, this formula is great for your maintenance and care needs. Make sure you follow the instructions as printed on the can.
Always avoid a prolonged exposure, and also any use next to open fire because the solution is flammable.
- Great for all types of chains
- Developed specifically for road-racing
- Effective formula to protect the chain against corrosion and rust
- Not suitable for off-road
- It is flammable
Final Verdict
This is a great lube formula for road-racing. For off-road applications you may have to consider other lubes in my reviews.
Nonetheless, it is a great product for types of chains. Just read carefully the instructions then you will enjoy a safe application of the formula.
YAMALUBE Full-Synthetic Chain Lube
This is a versatile formula best suited for both road-racing and off-road applications.
A bit of warning though, the contents are under pressure and they are highly flammable. So beware when using this formula.
These instructions are also printed explicitly on the can.
YAMALUBE Full-Synthetic Chain Lube can combine well with other synthetic formula to give a great lubrication performance on your chain. It repels dust when riding in off-road, and even repels water in case it’s exposed to the precipitation.
This will actually lengthen the duration of your chains. Remember chains are expensive so maintenance with this lube is of paramount importance.
- High-quality synthetic lube
- Penetrates deeply to resist corrosion and water
- Suitable for all types of chains
- Extremely flammable lube
Final Verdict
This is a good formula for motorcycle chains. It is best suited for all types of chains, and works well for road-racing and off-road applications.
Lengthen the life of your chain with it by resisting corrosion and repelling water. But note that it is extremely flammable.
Again, its fumes can be dangerous if inhaled. Seek urgent medical attention if swallowed by mistake.
Motul M/C Care Chain Paste
This is another Motul product – a trusted brand since its inception in 2011.
Motul M/C Care Chain Paste is for the motorcyclist fed up with spray lubes that spray everywhere or last shortly.
With a paste lube you can have a lasting coat on your chain applied evenly using the brush.
Consider the Grunge Brush which is easily adjustable per any surface.
But the downside is that it may be hard for the paste to penetrate much the same way the spray chain lubes do.
Always remember to clean the chain before applying this lube. Read carefully the instructions on the paste package.
I recommend the Motul C1 Chain Cleaner for your cleaning needs to remove any sort of dirt, grime or any other contaminant. This will actually improve adhesion of your lube and make it last even much longer.
- Long-lasting paste solution for your motorcycle chain
- Lubricates all kinds of chains
- Applies evenly with the applicator brush
- Less penetration compared to spray lubes
- Takes more time to finish lubing
Final Verdict
If you have enough time on your hands to spend lubricating your chains, then this paste is an ideal solution for you. It lasts long and provides a great protection against corrosion and rust.
Again, it is best-suited for both off-road and road racing applications. I would personally choose to buy this paste for even application even though a deeper penetration is not as good as with the spray.
Maxima – 3-pack Chain Wax
This marks the end of my hand-picked chain lubes for your motorcycle.
It is from a renowned Maxima brand, and it comes as a pack of 3.
To avoid buying individual products such as a cleaner and a wax separately, this combo could be a money-saving strategy.
At least you know that every suitable cleaner is included, but always follow the instructions printed on the can.
This 3-pack includes the 15.5 ounce Maxima Clean Up which helps clean all metal surfaces and rubber O-rings. It paves a way for your lube and wax for a proper adhesion by removing the grime you’ve collected when riding your bike off-road.
The next included product is the 14.5 ounce Maxima multi-purpose lube which penetrates deeply to resist corrosion and repel water from messing up with your chains.
The last product is the 13.5 ounce Maxima Chain Wax which improves lubrication and also provide a protective coating to your chain against all wear. With the lube and wax you will leave a wax film thanks to the Para-film formulas which Maxima always embrace for perfect lubrication results.
Read the instructions carefully, and prioritize your health by not exposing yourself to the fumes for a prolonged time.
- 3-pack of multi-purpose wax, cleaner and lube
- Resist corrosion and cleans the chains
- Applicable on many types of chains
- Very flammable products
- Not suitable for plastics or painted surfaces
Final Verdict
This pack is a great addition to your motorcycle tools. It cleans, lubes and waxes the motorcycle chain.
What else do you need to ensure a proper functioning of the chain? Absolutely nothing!
I recommend this pack especially to beginner motorcyclists who would struggle to buy these products individually.
Buyer’s Guide
Let’s get into the buyer’s guide and help guide you about the important features to consider as well as enlightening you about ways to lubricate your chains. As I have highlighted at the beginning, not all chain lubes are the same. They apply to different chain types or surfaces. As thus, you need to be careful whenever making a purchase.
Contents:
What is a Motorcycle Chain Lube?
It is a formula that is developed to reduce the friction in your chains and offer more protection against rust, corrosion, dust, water and many more detrimental elements to the chains.
Motorcycle chains are exposed to elements especially when riding on off-road sites.
You therefore need a lube to treat it to extend its life.
More features shall be discussed below that what are the most important to consider when making a purchase.
What Important Features to Look For?
Other factors will influence your buying decision and these include the exposure to water and dust especially for off-road applications. Since I have gone through many chain lubes, most are water resistant.
These include all the products I have chosen in this review. They prioritize water resistance. So you are sorted with water resistance.
The next step though…
You should have a look at the dust resistance because not every chain lube is dust resistant. A dust-resistant will be great for off-road travel.
You’ll most likely come across gravel getting into the chain and then clogging it. A non-dust-resistant formula will not help you get rid of this dust and grime collected on the way.
Motul M/C Care Factory Line Chain Lube is one such formula that is not suitable for off-road rides.
Dust cannot only clog your chain, but can also tamper with its durability. You might have to spend so much very soon to replace the motorbike chain because of the failure to use a dust-resistant solution on it.
X-ring and O-ringare actually the main ones.
There is not much of the difference between the two except the design and performance. For instance, the X-ring outshines the O-ring in performance.
All of my handpicked motorcycle chain lubes are applicable on all types.
What Types of Chain Lubes to Consider?
There are various types of lubes which include the all-purpose, wet and dry lubricants.
The dry type is most suitable for dry environment applications. These kinds of lubes are made of a thinner fluid which can evaporate faster when applied.
Nonetheless, dry lubes have a great performance in lubricating and protecting your chain without attracting any grime or dust. In case you spill it on any other component, a dry lube is easy to clean up.
Because it is often a thin coat, do not apply several coats at the same time. I recommend applying a single coat and then leave it to dry first before reapplying.
With the wet lubricant you can enjoy treating your chain in humid and wet conditions. The fluid is thicker than the dry lubricant, and it takes time to evaporate.
So it takes time to dry and when it adheres to the chain it does so firmly making it difficult to remove. With this lubricant you have to be careful to not spill it on other components because it will be a challenge to remove.
Because a wet lube takes time being moist, it therefore attracts grime and dust easily. I recommend leaving it for quite a long time until it dries so you have hit the road.
If you want a lube that is not condition-specific then you should look for all-purpose or multi-purpose chain lubes. I have included some in my reviews.
I would rather opt for this multi-purpose lube than to deal with the cons of condition-specific lubes.
Should I Buy a Paste or Spray (aerosol) Chain Lube?
For one reason though; aerosol is easy to apply and to penetrate deeper into the chain links. You will be able to complete the job within a few minutes and then get going on your adventurous ride.
But, spray lubes need care when applying them because you might end up messing up the chain and other components of your bike. This could be harmful if you’re using a lube with harmful ingredients that prohibit any use on plastics or painted surfaces such as the Maxima 3-pack Chain Wax.
The good thing is that the aerosol reaches to surfaces you wouldn’t reach with the applicator brush. It, therefore, treats the surfaces to prevent corrosion and to reduce friction.
Does that mean the paste is a bad choice? No! A paste lube has its pros too.
This option comes in a toothpaste-like tube which you have to squeeze and then apply it with the applicator brush. In most cases, the brush is provided, but if not provided you can buy it separately.
The paste is white, and so it makes it easy to see which surfaces you have treated and which you haven’t.
With the paste, you will be able to control your application and also apply it evenly without messing up other components. However, you have to spare more minutes into applying this because it is a time-consuming task.
The spray, when applied the liquid, flows into the deeper surfaces.
With the paste, you will have to manually insert the fibers of the brush to those surfaces. What I like about the paste is that it lasts longer than the spray.
How Can I Lube my Motorcycle?
Lubing your motorcycle is certainly not a complicated task at all. You may find this YouTube Video interesting to see how to lube and maintain your motorcycle.
I will just explain concise step to make the process easy for you.
Before you lube your motorcycle chain, note that it is important to clean it. Get a quality cleaner with biodegradable ingredients that will not harm your chain.
The cleaner will be able to pre-treat the chain, remove dirty, grime and any other contaminant. If there was any old lubricant applied it is important to remove it as well so that the new lubricant can adhere properly onto the chain.
Failure to remove dirt or old lubricants may lead to the new lube chipping or wearing out prematurely>.
When choosing the chain cleaners, beware of harmful ingredients. There are basically solvent-based and water-based cleaners.
The water-based ones are preferable. Stay away from acid solutions or sodium hydroxide solutions as they can be harmful to the chain.
Also important to consider is the degreaser. Look for effective formulas.
If you’re new to the world of motorcycles, I would recommend the last product above that comes as a pack of 3. That is Maxima 3-pack Chain Wax.
These chain cleaners also need to be matched with their specific chain type, which are O-ring, X-ring and Z-ring. Read carefully the instructions of every cleaner and look for specific limitations because I know there is material compatibility.
Others may be damaging to other materials. Be wary of cheaper cleaners with weak or unfamiliar compositions.
But it is not always a case that cheaper products are mediocre. Just that majority of them are.
The Lube Part:
Position the motorcycle properly exposing the chain side to be treated first. Get your lube ready.
If using the paste then you must make sure you have the right applicator brush – no abrasive brushes please. Then apply the lube onto the chain evenly while making sure it reaches even to the deeper surfaces.
Do not forget to read the instructions carefully and familiarize yourself with the formula ingredients. For ingredients that prohibit use on other surfaces, for instance, you have to be careful not to spill the solution all over.
At the same time avoid over-exposing yourself to the noxious fumes of the lube.
Can I Use My Bicycle Lube on a Motorcycle Chain?
So it will not be a problem at all to interchange the uses. Just verify that by checking the formula composition and follow the guideline of features I have discussed above.
Remember, the formula must match the chain type and must be dust resistant. In my list I have multi-purpose lubes that can be applied on any chain-driven equipment including industrial belts, lifts, and many more.
How Many Times Should I Lube My Motorcycle Chain?
There should be instructions for every lube, check that out. Motorcycles rode on off-road sites would, for example, need to be lubed regularly due to the heavy exposure to grime and dust.
I also recommend assessing the status of the chain manually and constantly to ascertain if the previous coat is still effective. Then re-apply accordingly.
Important: Note that you’re dealing with highly flammable lubes. As thus, always treat the bike far from an open flame.
Moreover, avoid exposure to the fumes of the formula. Ensure that there is adequate ventilation at all the times.
Wrap up!
I have come to the end of my comprehensive reviews and comprehensive guide. To extend the lifespan of your motorcycle you need to prioritize its care and maintenance on all the parts.
The chains are equally important and should be lubed. A lubricant is less expensive and a new chain is more expensive, so do not compromise the quality of your chain by not lubing it.
From time to time the chains get clogged. If you are more into camping then you are most likely to encounter clogged chains due to debris trapped in.
With the best motorcycle chain lube you can improve performance while protecting against corrosion, rust and other contaminants.
I believe that you are in a good position to make an informed purchase. I know how overwhelming it could be to pick the best lube hence I compiled this review.
The best tip is that; always remember to clean the chain before lubing it. Also, do not forget your health by exposing yourself to the fumes of the lube for a prolonged time.
Also noteworthy is that the solutions are highly flammable.
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