Chain slider?

I been seeing alot of post about chain sliders wearing through and getting into the swing arm. So it raised a couple of questions. How many miles do they usually last, do you have to pull the swingarm to change one, and who sells better/aftermarket ones? Thanks

Check yours every time you do an oil change.

Mine lasted 10,000 miles and my chain never touched my swing arm.

I bought the factory Yamaha replacement. Why mess with what works.
It's less than $50.

They can be replaced without removing swing arm.

One bolt on side of swingarm holds it on.

Unbolting the side stand makes things a little easier.


Proper chain adjustment is the key to longer life.
A chain that's too tight is not a good thing.

In my dusty old opinion a chain that's slightly too tight is harder on slider than a chain that's slightly too loose.

Thanks. I always make sure I check my chain often. I just wasnt sure if I had to remove the swingare or anything crazy to change one. I just asked about a aftermarket one cause usually the factory are not that great but if thats about as good as anything out there I will just still with it.

To date - I've yet to see anybody post anything about a "better alternative".

I've been investigating a lot lately into this issue. Seems to me that proper adjustment is more important than switching to a larger front sprocket....

Only thing I can add to Moto's answer is to make sure you are checking where it matters most - the bottom front fork of the slider where it contacts the swing arm. Get in there and take a good look.

click me for pics

I've been caught with my bike laying on it's side in the driveway before. Neighbor thought I dropped it.

I was simply getting a much better look at the underside of the slider.

These 250's are nice and light thankfully.

There are people who have nearly no wear on their slider with 20,000 miles and then theres me who bought a WRR with 10,000 miles and some nice grooves in the swingarm. Keep that chain in spec and who knows how long it will last :-) Has Yamaha said anything about this ever?

The slider is a wear item. Like brake pads.

It's up to the owner/operator to be aware of the situation.

You've got 10 inches of suspension travel.

It's just normal wear and tear on equipment. Not an oversight by Yamaha.

DestinationOffroad wrote:

Has Yamaha said anything about this ever?

Well, Yamaha did change the chain tensioning specs so one wonders. Yes it's a wear item as Moto says, but I suspect there was some premature wear with original specs.

I know I didn't cause those grooves in my swing arm. /sarc

DestinationOffroad wrote:

There are people who have nearly no wear on their slider with 20,000 miles

Almost 20k on mine but 98% street. Its got grooves but still plenty left

Swagger wrote:

DestinationOffroad wrote:

There are people who have nearly no wear on their slider with 20,000 miles

Almost 20k on mine but 98% street. Its got grooves but still plenty left

Good on ya man! 13T sprocket up front or? Are you just making sure chain is in spec?

DestinationOffroad wrote:

Good on ya man! 13T sprocket up front or? Are you just making sure chain is in spec?

Stock 13 in front and in chain always in spec per the good ol eye check! Had a 45 in back for most of those miles - just changed to 46. On my 3rd chain now. Got about 7-8k out of the stock chain, about 10k out of the Renthal R4 xring, and now i have a DID xring. Hoping to get 10k out of this one too.

Still got some life in it! Tried posting a pic but keep getting an error "file type not supported" If i can finger it out ill post a pic.

Swagger wrote:

DestinationOffroad wrote:

Good on ya man! 13T sprocket up front or? Are you just making sure chain is in spec?

If i can finger it out ill post a pic.

I use tinypic.com