ScottOiler E System worth the premium?

[Justin]

I have a chain oiler on  my winter farkle/project list. Just looking for feedback on the Scottoiler E system. The V system is only $97, and I am of course leaning towards that based on price. The E system is $250 bucks - Ouch! But it allows you to control the flow on the fly, and has an accelerometer to control the flow mode. For those that may have used both systems, is the the E system $150 better?

[Lawn Dart]

I put a basic ScottOiler on my wife's F650GS for Alaska.  That thing was flawless and the chain looked absolutely brand new even after we got off the Haul Road.

No comment on the E, but the basic system worked great for me.  I'd do it again.

[Papa Lazarou]

Not worth the extra dosh. Go with the basic system.

[Warchild]

The vacuum version of a chain oiler is quite sub-optimal compared to a properly designed electronic version. Vacuum-based oilers do not base their flow rates  on the correct factor (distance traveled), rather, their flow rates are dependent on engine speeds and ambient temps.

I have tried just about every oiler out there over the years, and the only one that has proven itself to work as advertised under all conditions is the Pro-Oiler.

ScottOiler stuck with their vacuum-based system for many years after the Pro-Oiler came out, but finally caved in and designed an electronic version after many riders (especially Endurance riders on chain-drive bikes) switched over to the Pro-Oiler. I have no experienced with the Scottoiler's E version, but I can guarantee you that the Pro-Oiler is most definitely The Shit to have. I have over 250,000 miles of use on my Pro-Oiler, and it still kicks ass today as the day I installed it on my first Blackbird many, many years ago.  

[Justin]

Well drats - now I want the more expensive one after reading the above   - but I guess it's not bad for a long term investment that can eventually be switched to a new bike.

The Scott Oiler E system appears to be a tad cheaper than the ProOiler, and works on the same principal. Does Pro Oiler have a US distributor, or does one need to order from the UK site?  

[miles]

The vacuum version of a chain oiler is quite sub-optimal compared to a properly designed electronic version. Vacuum-based oilers do not base their flow rates  on the correct factor (distance traveled), rather, their flow rates are dependent on engine speeds and ambient temps.

I have tried just about every oiler out there over the years, and the only one that hasn't proven itself to work as advertised under all conditions is the Pro-Oiler.

ScottOiler stuck with their vacuum-based system for many years after the Pro-Oiler came out, but finally caved in and designed an electronic version after many riders (especially Endurance riderson chain-drive bikes) switched over to the Pro-Oiler. I have no experienced with the Scottoiler's E version, but I can guarantee you that the Pro-Oiler is most definitely The Shit to have. I have over 250,000 miles of use on my Pro-Oiler, and it still kicks ass today as the day I installed it on my first Blackbird many, many years ago.  

So you like the one that doesn't live up to its claims?

[Flying W]

You can buy LOTS of chain lube for $250...unless you ride constantly through wet weather I dont see what the advantages to an automatic oiler are.  

[Justin]

You can buy LOTS of chain lube for $250...unless you ride constantly through wet weather I dont see what the advantages to an automatic oiler are.  

For "normal" riding I would agree - for endurance riding (iron butt type stuff) and rallies, having to stop and lube your chain is a waste of time; and the oiler will keep your chain healthier than lubing every 500 miles.

[dm_gsxr]

You can buy LOTS of chain lube for $250...unless you ride constantly through wet weather I dont see what the advantages to an automatic oiler are.  

It's typically an endurance thing. Same thing with spare gas tanks. Sure, you'll likely find an open or electronically available gas station when you're out riding but when you can ride 300 miles without stopping, it gives you more time for other things (like sleeping)

Justin's doing the endurance stuff to his bike similar to the things I've had on the back burner so I'll likely be following along to make the same changes to mine

Carl

[dm_gsxr]

Oh and Justin, Gary (the first link) doesn't do foam inserts any more. Just FYI

Carl

[Justin]

Oh and Justin, Gary (the first link) doesn't do foam inserts any more. Just FYI

Carl

Eh? Wrong thread?  

[birdrunner]

You can buy LOTS of chain lube for $250...unless you ride constantly through wet weather I dont see what the advantages to an automatic oiler are.  

A)  It does a better job of keeping chain lubed, as chain is ALWAYs freshly oiled, vs freshly oiled only a small percentage of the time.

B)  You don't have to lube chain.

[Lawn Dart]

Not knocking WarChild's comments but...

The quality of a chain luber also has a lot to do with how fast, far, and wet the conditions are!  

What works for the "average man" wouldn't last 10 minutes on Dale's bikes.

[ianbh]

Where's the standard version available for $95? I paid $135 last year for mine.  Ian, Iowa

[Justin]

Where's the standard version available for $95? I paid $135 last year for mine.  Ian, Iowa

http://www.scottoiler.com/us/Kits/Scottoiler-vSystem-non-California-Spec/flypage.tpl.html

[X1Glider]

I'm on my 1st chain driven bike in 15 years.  Been on belts and shafts all that time, except for the dirt bikes.  Trying to remember to lube it pisses me off.  Took my 1st trip on the Ninja 1000 last month and went 1400 miles before I remembered to lube it.  Filthy from rain, snow and dirt/mud.  A centerstand would have been nice to have.

So, will the auto oilers fling lube all over?  My policy has always lube a hot chain to promote the lube soaking in better then letting it completely dry over night.  Obviously an auto oiler doesn't allow for this.  How can the lube possibly penetrate bfore flinging off?

[Justin]

I'm on my 1st chain driven bike in 15 years.  Been on belts and shafts all that time, except for the dirt bikes.  Trying to remember to lube it pisses me off.  Took my 1st trip on the Ninja 1000 last month and went 1400 miles before I remembered to lube it.  Filthy from rain, snow and dirt/mud.  A centerstand would have been nice to have.

So, will the auto oilers fling lube all over?  My policy has always lube a hot chain to promote the lube soaking in better then letting it completely dry over night.  Obviously an auto oiler doesn't allow for this.  How can the lube possibly penetrate bfore flinging off?

Any automatic oiler is going to make a mess of the back of the bike - so if you are a clean freak about your bikes, then it's not for you. The ones like the e-system will probably be less messy as they adjust to your speed and movement, so will flow at a more appropriate rate - but still, they are messy.

As to the lack of center-stand, just make yourself a quick stand to prop up the bike using the side stand and a the opposite swingarm spool. I made one for about $1 from a steel tube and stuck one of those rubber chair leg covers on the bottom. Or you can spend $42 and get a quick stand.

http://www.aerostich.com/quick-stand.html

[X1Glider]

The isse with me is not about being a clean freak for the bike itself.  I just don't want any oil all over the chain side of my Q2 tire.  No point in getting a sticky gumball only to spray it with lube.

[Andrew]

From personal experience I can say this, an auto chain lubber is there to keep the chain wet so that the grime and grit flings off. The critical lube is inside the rollers of the chain and kept in by the O rings, adding oil/chain lube does not affect this.

[X1Glider]

So...waste of money?

Stick to manual lubing?

(sounds like a topic for another type of forum)

[Justin]

The isse with me is not about being a clean freak for the bike itself.  I just don't want any oil all over the chain side of my Q2 tire.  No point in getting a sticky gumball only to spray it with lube.

A properly adjusted chain luber is not going to spray on your tire. It should drip on the sprocket near the chain. The "fling" is on the underside of your tail - not the tire.

[Justin]

So...waste of money?

Stick to manual lubing?

(sounds like a topic for another type of forum)

Depends on your riding type and expectations. For me, I like to do iron butt types of rides and endurance rallies. Stopping to lube your chain is a waste of time in that case. For normal riding and leisurely touring, I never used an oiler. Takes about 3 minutes to pop my pipe on the quick stand and lube the chain while spinning the tire.

[Pat S.]

I have a chain oiler on  my winter farkle/project list. Just looking for feedback on the Scottoiler E system. The V system is only $97, and I am of course leaning towards that based on price. The E system is $250 bucks - Ouch! But it allows you to control the flow on the fly, and has an accelerometer to control the flow mode. For those that may have used both systems, is the the E system $150 better?

   I have several friends who use the Scott vacuum system and swear by it. One has 97k on his KLR and said it is a great investment. All of them like theirs and feel they are worth the money. I just bought one of the V models on sale to put on my KLR when it warms up a little. I like the fact it is a simple system and relatively inexpensive. The guy with 97k on his bike now uses ATF in it for lube I believe.

                                                                                            Pat