Chain Paste: Motul C5

Motul's motorcycle products have been readily available in Turkey for a while now. On my last visit to KMA I found quite a broad range, relatively reasonable prices and knowledgeable staff. The product that caught my eye most, although plenty of others interested me too, was C5 motorcycle chain lubricant. Its toothpaste-like tube promised less waste and a little more consideration for the environment. Naturally, I bought one.

I am pretty lazy when it comes to chains. I dislike both cleaning and lubricating them. You know what our roads are like, too, so I generally used to need a new chain every twenty thousand kilometres. I say “used to” because a while ago I decided to change that and look after my chain properly. Cem and Cenk, who work at the independent workshop at GiS Park, kindly help me out, but they are not always available. As you know, I cover some miles, and chain maintenance does not always coincide with a workshop visit. That leaves me doing it myself on the road, usually without a tray, scrap paper or cardboard to hand, so my wheel ends up filthy too. The guys at the bike wash, and dear Satı, give me such loving looks when they see my swingarm and rear wheel. :P

That is why Motul C5 appealed to me so much. Since it is not a pressurised spray, there would be no splashing or overspray to make a mess everywhere. It would also do less harm to the environment and last longer because more of the product would actually go onto the chain; in theory, at least. It was cheaper than the comparable product too (Motul C2+ ₺39.90, C5 ₺29.90, I think). Admittedly, you get fewer millilitres, but it claims to do the job of a 400 mL aerosol. We shall see.

On to the application. My wheel is filthy again, by the way. :( I am doing this maintenance on one of the strangely rainy days we have been having lately. Applying it is fiddly. I discovered two methods; the first is shown above. Squeeze the tube to bring some lubricant to the tip, then try to work it between the links with the brush built into the end of the tube. Move the chain along and repeat the same procedure.

The other method, as you can see in the picture below, is to keep squeezing the tube steadily while working the lubricant in with its built-in brush as you go. It is nice that the Multistrada has a centre stand, but because of the swingarm you can only reach four or five chain links each time you turn the wheel.

In short, applying it is a bit of a chore, particularly for a rider as lazy about this as I am. On the other hand, when you apply it to a chain you have first made spotless with cleaning spray, the bike becomes wonderfully smooth and just glides along. The difference is measurable, too! During this trial my fuel consumption fell by 0.3 L per 100 kilometres! Same riding style, same roads. It is not a huge difference, but it has given me extra enthusiasm for chain maintenance.

I have not finished the tube yet. When I do, I intend to add how much longer or shorter it lasted compared with C2+. Although the lubricant is white, it does not leave the chain visibly coloured after application; more precisely, it leaves no obvious colour when I look at the chain from a distance. Coloured sprays had that advantage: I felt I could judge the chain's condition without getting too close. Another nice advantage that spray does not offer is the chance to inspect and observe every link in my chain as I apply it. It may take a little longer, but I think Motul C5 is my new chain lubricant.