Do You Need a Chain Guard for a Motorbike?

Almost every new rider who’s ridden a bicycle in the past knows the value of a chain guard now the question arises: Do you need a chain guard for a motorbike? Here’s the answer.

According to industry experts, you need a chain guard to keep the chain dust and chain away from your leg. Also, to keep the chain lubricant from spraying all around your riding pants and luggage, you need a chain guard. 

Let’s look at what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can get all the essential knowledge about chain guards on your motorbike. 

Do You Need a Chain Guard for a Motorbike?

Probably every bicycle rider knows the value of a chain guard, but now the question arises, do you need a chain guard for a motorcycle? 

But before answering this question, we have to understand what a chain guard is. 

A chainguard or chaincase is a defensive unit around your motorbike chain made from plastic. The chain guard protects rider’s feet from chains and protects motorbike chains from dust and debris. It also protects rider pants from lubricants spraying on rider pants. 

So in this sense, you need a chain guard for your motorbike.  Let’s see what some functions of a chain guard are. 

Why Do You Need a Chain Guard? 

So far, you understand that you need a chain guard for your motorcycle. Now the question arises, why do you need a chain guard? 

Here’re some top 7 reasons why you need a chain guard. 

Protect You from Injuries: 

One of the main reasons riders love chain guards is to protect themselves from injuries. 

It’s very common when a rider’s feet get stuck in the motorbike chain while riding at high speed. And you know what the consequences will be if it happens to you. 

And to protect the rider’s feet from any unfortunate situation, manufacturers fitted chain guards in the motorbike. 

Prevent Riding Pants from Stains: 

We all know how it feels to clean the strong lubricant stains from our riding pants. 

Think this way, you bought white riding pants, and you see those stubborn chain lubricant stains on your pants. 

And to avoid this situation, the motorbike manufacturer fitted a chain guard in your motorbike. 

Protect Your Motorbike: 

Chainguard isn’t only limited to protecting your riding pants and your feet, but it also protects your motorbike. But how? 

It’s very common when we face chain slapping because of a broken chain. This may sound harmless, but a broken piece of chain can even make a hole in your motorbike engine. 

It can break your motorbike fairings and tail, and in the worst case, it can badly injure your feet. And fortunately enough, motorbike manufacturers fitted chain guards in the motorbike so you can see what happens when your motorbike chain breaks while riding. 

Helping to keep Your Motorbike Clean: 

Keeping your motorbike clean is equally important as keeping your motorbike pants clean.  And we all know how hard it’s to keep your motorbike clean, especially if you’re lazy like me. 

But fortunately, chain guards protect your motorbike from all stubborn grease stains. 

Keeping Your Motorbike Chain Clean: 

Your motorbike chain is probably the main component of your motorbike after its engine.

And thus, the protection of your motorbike chain is crucial.  As the name says itself, the chain guard also protects your motorbike chain from attracting dust and mixing with lubricants to make solid grime. 

Adds Some Style: 

Sometimes some motorbike parts are enough to customize your motorbike, and a chain guard is one of them. 

Chainguard comes in many colors, sizes, and shapes, enough to add some style to your motorbike. Even some chain guards come with a sprocket cover and mudguards, interestingly, you can easily find handmade painted chain guards, perfect for one who loves art. 

Protects Your Motorbike Chain: 

Your motorbike chain is probably the main component of your motorbike which connects the rear tire with the engine thus, protection of your motorbike chain is necessary. 

Chainguard does not protect your motorbike from dust, still, it also protects your motorbike chain from stone and debris, which can break your motorbike chain. 

Do All Motorbikes Have Chain Guard? 

So far, you understand why manufacturers add chain guards to your motorbike. Now the question arises, do all motorbikes have chain guards? 

Decades ago, all motorbikes came with a chain guard to keep the motorbike clean and protect the motorbike chain, and that’s why you can find a chain guard in any vintage motorbike. But now new model motorbikes come with a passenger footpeg which works the same as chain guard. 

Even passenger footpegs add more comfort to the passenger behind, and thus some motorbike manufacturers replace chain guards with footpegs. 

Since a chain guard isn’t necessary to install in your motorbike as per law, manufacturers quickly replace chain guards with footpegs. 

Can You Install Chain Guard Separately? 

So far, you understand that modern motorbikes don’t come with a chain guard. Now the question arises, can you install chain guards separately? 

If your motorbike doesn’t come with a chain guard, then you can install a chain guard on your motorbike separately. However, installing chain guards is a bit technical, that’s why experts always recommend hiring technicians to install chain guards. 

After installing the chain guard, please ensure that your chain guard doesn’t interfere with passenger comfort.

Should You Ride a Motorbike Without Chain Guard? 

You’ve understood some of the advantages of chain guards; now the question arises, should you ride a motorbike without a chain guard? 

Although there are requirements for having a motorbike chain guard on your motorbike, experts always recommend having one. It’s because chain guards offer you protection against stubborn stains and also protect you from serious injury from broken chains. 

I highly recommend installing a motorbike chain guard to protect you and your passenger’s clothes and feet. 

Is It Important to Clean Motorbike Chain?

Yes, it is essential to clean motorbike chains, and you can do this with the help of chain cleaners in the market, you’re going to find two types of chain cleaners: Water-based and second is solvent-based. 

But what both things are, don’t worry, I’ll explain to you.

Types of Chain Cleaner.	Advantage:	Disadvantage:
Solvent-based.	Some solvent-based cleaners are easily affordable.	May react with other motorbike parts.
Water-based.	You don’t have to spend much time on chain cleaning.	Some water-based cleaners are expensive.

Solvent Based: 

Solvent-based or traditional chain cleaner is the cleaner you need to spray on your motorbike chain until the chain is cleaned.  The most significant disadvantage with the solvent-based cleaner is that you have to apply a whole can of spray on the chain. 

Water-Based: 

Water-based chain cleaners have water-like consistency, and after spraying, it becomes a gel-like substance to eat all the dust stuck on the chain. 

With a water-based cleaner, you don’t have to spend much time cleaning, and you can wash the chain with water afterward. 

Undoubtedly water-based chain cleaner is on the ball, but the best thing about this type of cleaner is that they are 100% eco-friendly and won’t react with other surfaces of your motorbike.

Also, read my previous post where I shared some details about what if your motorbike chain become starts to lose CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict:

Do you need a chain guard for a motorbike? According to industry experts, you need a chain guard to keep the chain dust and chain away from your leg. 

Also, to keep the chain lubricant from spraying all around your riding pants and luggage, you need a chain guard. 

I’ve mentioned some uses or advantages of chain guards, which you need to remember while installing motorbike chain guards. 

If you want to protect your clothes and feet from stubborn stains, I highly recommend installing one on your motorbike.