Grand Pitstop GRoller-L review – Six-month update

What we liked

1. The first thing you notice about the GRoller is the compact size. It hardly takes up any space, which makes it convenient to slip it into your luggage. 

2. The roller mechanism is smooth and it doesn’t take a lot of effort to rotate the wheel, irrespective of how big the wheel is or how heavy the motorcycle is.

3. Thanks to the stainless steel construction, there are no signs of rusting despite the exposure to elements.  It also feels very robust and capable of taking a beating.

4. The GRoller's use is not just limited to chain maintenanace, it alsop comes handy when you are giving your motorcycle a wash and need to clean the wheel.

5. When it gets dirty, all it takes is a hosepipe to get it cleaned. There aren’t any inaccessible nooks and crannies that you can’t clean up. 

Shortcomings

1. It might be compact and tough, but there is a trade-off - weight. At almost two kilograms, the GRoller-L is quite heavy, which necessitates it to be carried on in a luggage that is mounted onto the bike, rather than a backpack. Mind you, the other smaller variants, the GRoller-S and GRoller-M are lighter.

2. We had no problem using it on road bikes, sportbikes and even adventure motorcycles. However, the GRoller cannot be used for motorcycles with knobby or dual-sport tyres with vertical grooves, like the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR in the Ducati Scrambler. The roller gets stuck in between the grooves and refuses to budge. 

3. This is not exactly a shortcoming, but more of a precaution. The GRoller needs to be placed on firm ground, or else it keeps sliding when you try to move the wheel. This is something you need to keep in mind in case you go off-roading.

Verdict

The GRoller makes maintaining your motorcycle’s chain a simple affair. It is compact, portable and easy to use. However, it is also quite expensive. Back when it was launched, the Grand PitStop GRoller was the only such product in the Indian market, but now there is competition, which promises the same benefits at a lower cost. However, Grand PitStop still has an edge in terms of the options. The GRoller is offered in three sizes depending upon what kind of motorcycle you use. 

The GRoller-L that we are using is for premium motorcycles weighing up to 270 kilograms, with tyre width less than 240mm. It costs Rs 2,948. There are other two variants, the GRoller-S and GRoller-M, which cost Rs 1,298 and Rs 1,798 respectively. These are rated at 170 kilograms and 170mm, and 220 kilograms and 180mm respectively. You can buy these online on Grand Pitstop's official website.