Chain lubrication is one of those routine jobs that becomes less convenient once you leave the garage. On a trip, you need a way to reach the full length of the chain, ideally by raising the rear wheel just enough to turn it by hand. That is straightforward with a centre stand, but carrying a paddock stand is hardly practical on a sports bike or a naked, where luggage space is already limited.
Travelling with friends makes the job easier because there is someone to help. Riding alone leaves fewer options. Rolling the motorcycle forward a little at a time works, but it makes a simple maintenance task more awkward. I wanted a small, lightweight support that would be realistic to carry on a trip. Searching online led me to the Roia Moto Trail Jack .
Size and construction
The jack comes with two differently shaped support heads and a hook-and-loop strap that holds the front brake lever applied to help prevent the motorcycle from rolling.
My measurements put the packed length at 254 mm, the body diameter at 20 mm, and the rubber foot diameter at 28 mm. The jack extends in 30 mm increments to a maximum length of 430 mm. Together with the brake strap, it weighs 144 g. That makes it a compact addition to a travel tool kit.
In use
I tried the Trail Jack on my Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory 1100 and found it easy to use, with the motorcycle remaining stable while supported. Combined with its low weight and compact size, that makes it a very useful tool for chain maintenance on the road.
Disclosure: Roia Moto provided this Trail Jack free of charge.