Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie
Modern chains never snap they wear, some shaft designs are bullet proof others not.
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I've had the chain snap 3 times on my KTM 690 in 15000 miles and I've had one replacement shaft on my R100GS in 50000 miles.
If I was setting off on a long trip on the airhead I would fit a new or refurbished shaft and thouroughly check the gearbox and final drive as part of the preparation. I would then be confident of at least 25000 miles trouble and maintenance free (and this is one of the less robust shaft drives). For me in normal use the unsprung weight and limited travel is not an issue. At travelling speeds (as opposed to racing speeds) the rear suspension performs well off road.
Chain drive does have a number of benefits and I would favour it for day to day off road riding as long as you carry all the stuff to get you home in the event of a failure.
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