| Author | Message | ||
     Debueller |
I just broke my 3rd drive belt saturday. The dealer is going to warranty it again. History: First belt broke at 7700 miles. Busted right in front of my house when grabbing second gear to pull a wheelie. I guess I was abusing? the bike. Dealer replaced under warranty. Second belt injested a BB sized pebble when bike had 13500 miles. Dealer would not warranty untill there was a complete failure. I bought one from Daves and now use the "damaged" one for a spare. Third belt broke saturday about 5 miles from my house. I was "Abusing" the bike by fingering the clutch to wheelie again. (damn that bike has a snappy clutch) Bike is at 32,000 miles. Good thing I got a spare. Had to put it on to go ridin' yesterday. Dealer is going to warranty it again thursday. Technically I guess only 2 have completly failed. The imbedded stone in the second one left me not feeling secure enough to travel more than a few hundred miles from home. This will make the fourth belt in 32,000 miles. My bro's KTM 950 has 45,000 miles and he is only on his second set of chain and sprokets. I think durability, reliability, and brute stregenth are sacraficed for a maint free, clean, and quiet drivetrain. Great things for a chrome shrine (Harley). But I think a bike like the Uly has no business with a belt drive. Good thing there is a 2 year warranty. The problem is I like the bike so much I will just continue to "put up" with the damn belt. I guess I'll have to buy a new Uly when the warranty is up. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I've been riding motorcycles for over 30 years now and I will NEVER-EVER own another motorcycle with a chain drive again!!! NEVER!!! | ||
| Buellish |
I had 54,000 miles on the belt on my S2 when it broke.It had eaten pebbles for 6 years.It was the old technology and not as strong as the current belt.I took the belt guards off right after I got the bike. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
What does a belt cost anyways? | ||
| Daves |
136.80 | ||
| Windrider |
Debueller, You make some good points. However, IMHO, the belt drive is great for the Uly and the majority of riders will have an overall better experience with the belt than a chain. Personally, I love the belt and do not ever want to see another chain final drive. As time goes on Buell will most likely find ways to make it better and better as well. I do wish that Buell made some kind of an emergency belt that you easily install in the bush if you had a belt failure. In your particular case where you have taken your Uly in extreme off road conditions and you consistently pull wheelies, etc, maybe you should investigate converting your bike to a chain final drive? I would imagine that this could be done, perhaps with some parts from the Buell racing scene? I know the race bikes run chains final drives. All things are possible with enough determination.... I am also curious: Could you compare and contrast the total cost of ownership of your Uly against the total cost of ownership of your Bros KTM 950?? Since they are the same vintage and it seems that they have had similar experiences it would be a really interesting comparison for reliability and total cost of ownership. Happy Trails, WindRider | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
That's still way cheaper than buying a new ULY or buying an extended warranty. I just haven't read here that the belt has been a big problem except for those that make life for the belt a living hell. The belt drive is nice but nothing is completely impervious to abuse. A chain would have to be oiled and adjusted and makes a bunch of racket. I've had no problems in over 42,000 miles on my Electraglide's belt and none so far on my ULY's but I can see how it would probably snap break if I did enough wheelies. Debueller, you sound like you ride the hell out of your bike and you might need the chain. | ||
| Chrisb |
A point or two to ponder.... This isnt the first (nor second) drive belt thread that the words "wheelie" & "snapped" are in the same paragraph. SOP for the dealers in the MD/DC/VA area..The first belt that breaks is on HD, the rest are your problem. The next time you see the service manager that keeps approving the belt repair. You might want to have something in a 750ml bottle to give him. | ||
| Motornoggin |
For comparison sake, a V-Rod weighs in at another 200+# more than an average Buell and has more HP and TQ. V-Rod belt breakage (as far as I know) hasn't been an issue. You would think more weight and more power would equal more breakage, but it doesn't. Leaves me curious. | ||
| Jim_sb |
My Uly has 6,300 miles on it and the belt is missing a tooth. The dealer said "we recommend you replace it" and when I inquired about warranty coverage they said "it's not warrantied unless it is broken". Not sure what I will do. If I ride and get stranded somewhere it will cost a lot more than a belt to get home. I guess I will end up needing to buy a spare belt and keeping it in my luggage. Then if it breaks I won't be stranded assuming I can get a lift and swap the belt out. It is frustrating because I had very high hopes for the new "lifetime" belt and after a little more than a year the dealer is recommending replacement. My other option would be to buy a new one, replace the old one and keep the old one as a spare which is just throwing away money. If it's going to break within 24 months Buell should have to pay for it. I have chain drive on my dirt bike - it's not nearly the PITA that some indicate. It does take a little TLC, I clean it and lube it after each ride, takes about 5 minutes. Still I like the idea of the belt if it would hold up better. Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Windrider |
Jim, The problem with carrying a spare belt is that they can't be flexed smaller than a certain radius... thus the packing box is pretty big and doesn't lend itself to being put in a saddlebag. | ||
| Windrider |
Debueller, Check out Trojan Horse and harleycustom.com for chain kits On American Sport bike they say, "Currently unavailable, cost was too high to import. A similar alternative is in work" So there may soon be another alternative. Looks like it would cost about the same as 2-4 belts to convert a Uly to chain drive. | ||
| Snowscum |
They use a belt when some of the trick riders pull wheelies. I wonder how many they go through. | ||
| Daves |
I ride wheelies every single time I am on any Buell. I guess I'm just lucky because I haven't had any of the new belts break. I did have one break on a 03 XB9R right after a tire change but that's the only one I have ever had a problem with. I do not think it is the wheelies. | ||
| Daves |
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| Gearloose |
Daves I see you are still using helium in the front tire !!!!  G. | ||
| Daves |
Shoulda seen the ones I was riding in front of the shop with your new one  | ||
| Kandie |
What do you mean in front of the shop? You were doing them in front of our house before he got here?  | ||
| Adrian_8 |
That is how I broke my belt, downshifted to second then wacko/snappo...the dealer said no more wheelies...OOOOOK. | ||
| Debueller |
Here is a photo of the carnage:  I've considered converting to a chain but I will only own this bike about another 9 months. By then it will probably have over 50K miles and will be due for replacement. I usually carry my spare belt when traveling with all my luggage....but it is a PITA. I'd rather have the room for other things. It really sucks being stranded, even when I'm not so far from home. It was very diffcult convincing the old guy to help the motorcyclist broke down in front of his rural home. I had to do a lot of talking. Next time I might have to start walking. Many places I enjoy riding have no cell phone service, as was the case this time.  Like Jim sb pointed out, being stranded can be very expensive. and in some cases, IMO, somewhat dangerous. The least it does is ruin your ride. I have wheelied almost every bike I've ever owned. The Uly is among the easiest and best bike I've ever owned for wheelies...I'm not going to stop. None of my other bikes seem to mind. The dealer never questions any of my warranty claims, they've treated me very well. If there is ever an issue with the dealer not honoring the warranty, I know how to handle that, thanks to BadWeB. I have heard of only a few problems with Buell's customer service. Windrider, As to your question about the cost of ownership of the Uly vs KTM 950: I could write a book about the issues my brother has had with his: replaced cam fuel pump failure charcoal canister clogged oiling problems intensive maint scheudle $400 custom seat to make it bearable but no chain/sproket problems!!! The Uly has been far and above a lot less expensive to own than the KTM. My bike has taken quite a beating and still feels very solid and tight. If it wasn't for the belt I would have no valid reason to bitch. A Uly with a chain drive from the factory would make it even a better, more reliable, and even tougher bike. IMO, a belt drive would be a better fit for a bike built for a kinder, more gentler crowd. (like the crusier crowd) One more thing, If I were to go buy a new bike now, it would probably be another Uly. With the exception of the belt, the bike really suits me very well. I can't think of a bike that does so many things so well.  | ||
| Hughlysses |
Daves, Just curious, any change in the belt from 06 to 07? I wonder if Goodyear's made any improvements in their belt. | ||
| Gearloose |
Daves THANKS for the new ride. Now that you and the 'onery' wife,..just kiddin she's a"sweetie and a keeper"tell me you been doin wheelies with it,I better go to duh garage an check duh belt!!!!! Gearloose PS might as well had Zip ride it!!!! | ||
| Birdmanrh |
Mental Note - Never buy a used bike from Debueller! | ||
| Sparky |
Well, I think it's time for technology to step in and save the day for all us belt and or chain driven mo'sickles. Make that old school technology. Think steam locomotives. That's right. Connecting rods. Connecting rods from the driver pulley (wheel) to the rear wheel. No sissy belts or messy chains to break. Did ya ever hear of a locomotive breaking it's connecting rods? Me neither. Come on OEMs. Have some guts! Give us some new technology (old school) to keep us running forever! Old guys rule, Sparky Tongue I n Cheek | ||
| Hughlysses |
Sparky, I like the way you think. Believe it or not, there was a European auto engine (in the late 50's/early 60's IIRC) that had an overhead cam driven by small connecting rods. No reason it couldn't be done for a motorcycle final drive.  | ||
| Daves |
Gearloose, Yes, I know she is a keeper! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Birdm, If you bought Debueller's bike you'd be assured a low mileage belt. | ||
| Daves |
Hugh, as far as I know the 06 and 07 belts are the same. | ||
| Red_chili |
Think steam locomotives. That's right. Connecting rods. Connecting rods from the driver pulley (wheel) to the rear wheel. No sissy belts or messy chains to break. Did ya ever hear of a locomotive breaking it's connecting rods? Me neither. Denver & Salt Lake RR mallet #210, deadheaded westbound behind a second locomotive, coming off Rollins Pass around 1927 or so. Maintenance was expensive, railroad was broke. Deferred. At 10mph downgrade 4%, a side rod broke, flaying the air tanks and compressor lines. The engineer, brakeman and conductor saw the writing on the wall- and jumped. The first locomotive stopped at a water tank, and waited. And waited. Finally they got on the phone, only to find the crew from 210 on the line. They did some figuring later, and decided that by the time 210 left the rails at Riflesight Notch, she was doing over 60mph, and over 200 tons of locomotive, coal and water sailed right over the top of the first locomotive, but the crew never heard the explosion when she impacted the canyonside. That was no small leap: http://ghostdepot.com/rg/images/moffat%20route/moffat%20DN&P%20loop%20trestle%20tunnel%20mr%20pc.jpg Parts of 210 are there to this day. All things fail. Just sayin'. I like belt drive. (Message edited by Red_Chili on December 20, 2006) | ||
| Birdmanrh |
Where exactly did they "get on the phone?" |
