big single chains
 

I used to have a 92 xtz660 and I used to get through two chains a year, they would break when I was in the middle of nowhere. Is this because singles are hard on chains and I am just a rubbish rider who didn't use the revs and gears properly? or was there something wrong with the bike?

I was fairly new to riding and I suppose i could have been over tensioning the chain.

I have had a kle500 for the last 3 years and the chain on that did 24000 miles before i felt it needed changing. It hardly every needs adjusting either. Its actually a very good bike. It is a twin that has about the same power as a 660 single. I do about 10000 miles a year including two up touring.

But I still love tenere's and especially the new one and would consider it as a replacement in a few years. Should i worry about breaking chains?

As long as you clean it regularly with something like kerosene which doesn't bugger up o-rings, it should last a good while. If it keeps getting loose, you'll know its on its way out.

I got 30,000kms out my 525 chain on a DR650 in very dirty conditions but cleaned it every other day.

I run a new XT660Z Tenere and I've used the bike for all sorts of stuff, long range touring, commuting, 'just for fun' , green lanes you name it!

It's got 16,000 (summer and winter) miles under it's belt and it's still on the original chain (second set of cush rubers and third set of tyres), with no visible wear on the sprockets and on the second adjuster mark.

since day 1 (well pretty much) I fitted a scotoiler, and I think this is main point in the longevity of this chain. I also clean it now and then (probably 4 or 5 times in it's life) with some chain cleaner, or parafin if I have some, then a quick coating of normal 'sticky' chain lube just to stop the surface rust.