So I lost the chain slider 'thingamijig' off the mighty KLR650 somewhere between here the there...

I'd say just to much power!!! As you can see, in just 200klm, the chain had eaten into the swingarm. I had to make something to continue on my way until I could get a new part. So I got a bit of aluminium and made it fit... and it worked well (the wear shown is 250klm) and will last until I get a new chain slider...

Anyway, the bike has done 50000klm, so I would be thinking to replace the chain slider around 30000klm to be extra safe... because you would not want to be in the desert and this happened.