In my early days I would use kerosene/paraffin or lamp oiI for cleaning the chain (economical and "tried and tested" by bikers arround the world through decades). I also used very expensive motorcycle lube - because I thought it was needed. I stopped using both - having done quite a bit of research (independent studies). What I found was that motorcycle specific lube was actually not only no better than the cheapest transmission oil , but often inferior to it - even many top brands. In addition I found that chain manufacturers actually reccomends transmission or gear oil. I also found that Kerosene/Paraffin wasn't the friendliest of products on those seals, and that many motorcycle chain cleaners are better (and many well inown brands are rubish). With some reasearch on independent product comparisons, I landed on Ipone chain cleaner as the best product out there (cleans well, and is easy on those seals).

When I am at home I use Ipone for cleaning and transmission oil for lubing. I normally clean and lube after every 100-200 kms or so, or as soon as possible a after coming out of the gritty stuff. On the road however, I tend often to resort to readily available diesel for both cleaning and lubing in one process (using a rag and a tooth brush). The Ipone soray can simply takes up way too much space in the luggage, and the transmission oil simply smells terrible - reeking up my luggage contents even if kept inside air tight containers.

I am not so sure about this diesel thing. I am therefore conscidering bringing a small container of lamp oil and a small container of transmission oil, and carry both together with my rag, gloves and tooth brush - in a separate container mounted somewhere on my bike (outside my luggage).

I am very interested in hearing what you guys do, and why - especially on the road. Also, your thoughts on diesel.

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Depends entirely on the riding I'm doing. Mostly sunny, dry weather, you can go for hundreds of KM with the occasional cleaning and lube. On the other hand, if I'm riding in wet or a muddy road, obviously a lot more often. I just wipe the chain with a clean rag, spray on some chain lube, and done.

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

I washing it down spinning using WD40, give it a desultory wipe with a rag, and call it good. The WD40 is just for rinse purposes, not as a lube. Every so often I'll follow the WD40 with a bit of actual chain lube, but that's mainly because I seem to have multiple cans of the stuff taking up space. I doubt it actually does any good.

Chains last 15-25k miles doing this. I figure the return on investment in taking better care of a chain is pretty minimal, so I choose not to bother.

Mark

WD-40 will seap throug the seals and will not only deteriorate the grease inside, but also the seals themselves - supposedly - so supposedly not a good choice. I know a lot use it, without complaints.

Personally I can feel a significant noticable difference when hand turning the wheel between right before and right after having cleaned and lubed a dry and gritty chain. For me it is not only about chain and sprocket longevity, but also fuel consumption, general performance and reducing wear on the engine and gear box, etc.

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What fo you guys use while on the road?

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Same as above, whether away or local. I assume that's what you're asking.

"Supposedly" doesn't count for much in my book--I'm a bit of an empiricist. My chains last as long as most (though not as long as folks who are very methodical and persnickety about cleaning and lubing constantly).

I might as well add that I don't change sprockets very often either--every couple or three chain replacements. I'm aware that "supposedly" a new chain will rapidly wear itself or those old sprockets, but still--see above regarding 15-25k miles per chain. That's 25-40k km, for you non-USA-ians.

You can do the math regarding sprocket replacements, but FWIW I've found a lot more variation in their durability than I have for chains, especially buying in little developing world backwaters.

As always, it's just a single data point.