| Author | Message | ||
     Not_purple_s2 |
I'm thinking about getting an '03 XB9S and my only concern is the belt issue. I know there have been many vocal owners that had problems with belts breaking. The fact that Buell ditched that belt set-up after 1yr says a lot. Are there any 03 owners out there still riding the original belts? For how many miles? Any secrets to making the old belts work other than careful tire removal and a good bit of luck? Is there a stronger belt that is a direct replacement? If so why not? Seems that if you made a belt out of the same materials as the 06+ belts, then it would be nearly or equally as durable. } | ||
| Midknyte |
03 XB9R, running original belt. Comming up on 15,000 miles (which I think is the replacement interval for the orignal - there's an upgraded version that does not require any changes to use). I think careful installation by an experienced person is the key (to avoid twisting & stresses that set it up for failure). I figure that a 9 would put less stress on it than the 12 also, but others will be along to agree or dissagree... | ||
| Xbjelly9s |
03XB9S, 18k w/original belt, all tire changes done by me. I put an upgraded belt on at 15k and after 1k i found it cracking in one spot half the width of the belt. So now i have the original back on and a nice expensive belt handing on the wall. F#*K | ||
| Rah7777777 |
Get it !!!!!!!(thats what I have) I just hit 15K and going strong all on the original belt. I have all the 04+ pulleys and new belt ready to bolt on, but just to lazy to get it done just yet. If that is the only reason why you are thinking about not getting the bike, then you have nothing to worry about. If it bugs you that much, do the 04+ upgrade. you can piece the parts together and get a new belt all for under $300-350 if you take your time. and watch the ads/ebay closely. | ||
| Prof_stack |
12k on my '03 XB9S and no belt issues. It looks great and should easily (knock on wood) go more than 15k. No wheelies and very few hard yanks on the throttle. Go for the '03. Buying one is better than selling one right now. Win-win for you. | ||
| Maximillian |
10K on the original belt and it still looks good for the momemt. I remove the wheels myself & handle it with care, but ride the bike like I stole it. | ||
| Jaydub |
original belt 10k so far - no issues - will replace at or before 15k | ||
| Evil_twin |
I only got 8K out of my original belt. But, I tend to ride really hard. Both by myself and two up. I did upgrade to the revised belt and haven't had a problem, but I was only able to get about 1K on it last season with my job and all. No cracking or anything like Jelly's, so far. I wouldn't let the belt issue sway my decision, though. If you are purchasing it from a stealership, make them throw in another belt with the purchase. If it's a private seller, buy a back up belt so you always have one. Keep in mind that it is a belt and they are not infallible. You have the possibility for problems no matter what the final drive is (i.e. belt or chain). Just my .02. Rich  | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
The problem with the '03 belts is that one simply has no way of predicting when they will fail. Some belts last for many thousands of miles, others do not. It appears to me that they usually fail when under higher than normal loading - exactly when they should not. That is what happened to me - accelerating hard around a car, then all of a sudden - no power. Rather frightening at the time. Many brothers, myself included, have converted to chain. None of them, to my knowledge, has had a chain failure. Saintly, one of the members of the board makes a very popular chain conversion that cost little more than a replacement belt. Other higher cost options are the Buell Race Shop, and Hal's which utilize a modified swing arm, not required with Saintly's conversion. There are also others the names of which I do not recall at the moment. There is a great deal of discussion of this matter in the Knowledge Vault. | ||
| Jlnance |
any secrets to making the old belts work other than careful tire removal and a good bit of luck? I think the root of the problem is that mishandling the belt will damage it, and it will fail prematurely. I suspect that if it is never mishandled, it works fine, but it is too difficult to make sure that never happens. You can upgrade the bike to accept a later belt, or do a chain conversion if you want a more reliable system. I wouldn't let it stop me from buying the bike. | ||
| Cycleaddict |
9 k and no belt issues ,i have all the belt guards intact. small rocks will cause premature belt failure ! i have also installed a "free spirit" belt tensioner which i feel is good insurance(due to '03s belt breakage reputation) | ||
| Midknyte |
oh no's  | ||
| Coops53233 |
Mine broke at about 7k, under normal use. A small stone was the culprit. The belt wasn't very hard to replace by myself, and I was told the updated belt, which had a different part number than the older-generation belt, was superior to the one that originally came with the bike. In short, it shouldn't break again. Its been about 6k since then, and no problems yet. I keep the belt guards on and have retained the '03 stock pulley and drive-belt parts. Wanted to add my strong suspicion that a contributing factor was improper handling during a tire change. Just before I bought the bike, the previous owner had some new tires installed. I'd bet that the tire change had something to do with the belt snapping about 2k miles later. (Message edited by coops53233 on January 16, 2008) | ||
| Mtg |
I'm riding an '03 9R with the original belt still on it, without problems. The disclaimer here is that the bike just turned 3400 total miles  The original owner put 1700 miles on it in 5 years, and in the 6 months I've had it, I've doubled the miles. | ||
| Barker |
03 9R 26k miles no belt guards! Plenty of wheelies/trackdays. Has not broke yet. I took it off and now it is a spare. It had two 3/8 inch holes in it, after I followed some uly's in an off-road adventure. I put 1000 miles on the belt when it had holes in it. (Message edited by barker on January 16, 2008) | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
03' 9Sl, 9500 miles, original belt. | ||
| Diablobrian |
One of the issues that some may have had is mishandling before they bought it... who knows how many hands touch it before the guy at the parts desk hands it to you? I find it easy to imagine someone doing inventory twisting the belt trying to find the part number; never realizing that they will be leaving a poor unsuspecting rider along side the road with his "new" belt broken. The problem really is that there is simply no way to tell if your belt has been mishandled. Like Gentleman_Jon said there have been many people that have inspected their belts pre-ride and had the belt fail a few miles later. I simply cannot afford that risk so when I bought my 'bolt I bought one with the Hal's chain conversion on it and have lived happily ever after. Many people have gotten many happy miles on the original belts. It all depends on your level of comfort with what to some is a very low level of risk and to others is unacceptable. | ||
| Lightningrob |
7500 miles on my '03 and no problems yet. I plan to do what Gentleman Jon did and go with Saintly's chain drive in the near future. If the price is right, I wouldn't hesitate on buying an '03. | ||
| Xbjelly9s |
One of the issues that some may have had is mishandling before they bought it... who knows how many hands touch it before the guy at the parts desk hands it to you? This is what I was thinking when i found mine had cracked. | ||
| Mr2shim |
I believe mine has the original belt given it's appearance. I'm at 9090 miles. 03 xb9r. I'm seriously considering sanitly's chain drive conversion in the near future. (Message edited by mr2shim on January 16, 2008) | ||
| Tunes |
I replaced my '03 XB9S drive belt at 10K miles. It hadn't broken but I didn't want to get stranded far from home. Based on what I've read on this site... it's not a matter of if the original '03 belt will break, just when. I installed the American Sportbike '04 upgrade with the '06 belt. Very happy with the results... | ||
| Gearhead998 |
I have over 17k on my 03 orifinal belt, it looks like it is aging tho, I also run with an 04 lower belt guard only, and no wheelies, I tend to have a heavy hand while riding tho, and do some 2 up riding. I am pondering wheather to upgrade to the 04+ plus system or jus treplace with stock. The only reason I am considering the upgrade is others' woes. I have never had a problem with mine, and do all my own maint. BUY IT!!!!! | ||
| Nillaice |
14,500, and i'm gonna ride it 'til it fails. i ride harder than i should. i'll keep checking it for signs of failure, and probably get the belt upgrade when i start seeing them. i like the maintenance-free-ness | ||
| Chainsaw |
Are there any 03 owners out there still riding the original belts? For how many miles? I changed mine at 16,000 miles along with the idler as specified in the Service Manual, which calls for it at 15k. I keep the original as a spare, and the 'new' belt has 11,000 miles on it. I'm the only one that has taken the rear wheel and belt off, with the exception of back in 2003 for a wheel bearing upgrade/recall performed by the dealer. That said, I keep my eyes open to the classifieds for 2004+ sprockets. Too much has been said here that spooks me! | ||
| Xb9srider |
2003 XB9S 7000+ miles Original belt Still looks fine (other than it's in the garage covered up with the rest of the bike until spring  ) Never Give Up! | ||
| Vicfirebolt |
I have a 03 xb9r just turned 7500 miles on it I bought it at the beginning of this summer with 2000 on it zero issues the bike rules. | ||
| Pgsus |
Original broke at 23k, accelerating 4th past car at 60 mph, coasted to stop at offramp and luckily only 3 miles from home. Have new upgrade belt which has small stone hole in middle of belt at 25k.Remove and install wheel myself each time for Tyres, now at 35k and new rear tyre. Have considered 04+ belt/pulley upgrade but will go with new 03 belt and keep old one for spare. I like the belt and will not go to a chain because of maintenance and crap over back wheel, besides cost of chain etc would maybe equate to new belt every 12k? Even though it has a hole still cant stop myself from accellerating and launching for the first 30 yards from the stop lights!!!! far too much fun. I think the free spirits tensioner would solve the hole issue and add some peace of mind. When they stop making the 03 belt, then I'll upgrade to the 04+ with the shiny sprocket from American Sport Bike and the free spirit tensioner, chain = reliability, belt = low maintenance. | ||
| Cereal |
I have the 03 upgrade belt that was on the bike when I bought it so I don't know how long it's been there. The bike now has about 25k and belt looks pretty worn but is still holding strong. The bike also didn't come with a belt guard. I've got a spare belt that's got about 5k on it and plan on taking with me on any long road trips. Also just ordered the belt guards from a fellow badwebber and am contemplating putting them on. | ||
| Knotrider |
The only way that I know of to keep Buell belts in one piece is to take it off and put it in a box or hang it on the wall. I broke one (05 12R w/no guards). My son broke one (03 9R w/no guards). All chain drives now and loving it. I also believe that leaving those huge ugly covers on is key to belt longevity. | ||
| Glitch |
I went through 3 belts at between 1000 to 5000 miles each. The belt I have on there now has about 25,000 miles on it. |
