| Author | Message | ||
     Jbird11 |
I have an 03 XB9S. I have made it to about 12,000 miles on the original belt. I have notices some tiny cracks along the outer edge so it's just a matter of time now. My only real question is for 150.00 would a new belt to fit an 03 be a better belt than the original? If not what would you do to upgrade belt, pulley's ect...? ( No chain comments please. ) I want to stick with belt. Thank you. | ||
| Sifo |
Upgrade to the '04 belt and pulleys. American Sport Bike can set you up. | ||
| Andymnelson |
You very likely could get another 12,000 out of that belt. When mine breaks, I will likely just put another stocker back on. I can buy 3 of those for the price of the '04+ pulley kit and belt. | ||
| Midknyte |
I am north of 12,000 miles on my '03 belt. There is an upgraded version of the '03 belt that was introduced before the '04 belt (which requires new pulleys due to change in tooth pitch, which is due to the change in manufacturer of the belt...) The old belts are sensitive to improper handling during and prior to installation (twisting, bending), and to rough riding habits (back-loading coming down from wheelies and downshifting w/o the clutch). So - Just find a mechanic that actually knows how to change a belt by the book and take your riding habits into consideration... | ||
| Froggy |
Personally I would do the upgrade kit and get an 09 belt thrown on it. | ||
| 03worc9r |
it is cheaper to buy the cheap thin belt, but do you want to have a belt break on you when you are several hundred miles from home? here are the 2 side by side, your choice!  | ||
| Drkside79 |
is there any difference between and 08 and an 09 belt? | ||
| Froggy |
Yes the belts were revised again, the 09's claim to be stronger and longer lasting. Time will tell, but the part numbers are G0500.1AAG for 52" wheelbase models and G0500.1AKE for the 54" models. 100% backwards compatible with 04 and newer models. | ||
| Garyl |
"is there any difference between and 08 and an 09 belt?" Yes of course, the 09 belt is an improved design over the 08 belt. Much the same way that the 08 was better than the 06/07 design. And we all know that the 06/07 was leaps & bounds better than the 05 belt. The 05 belt kicked the 04 belts azz. The 04 belt however, was vastly superior to the 3rd design 03 belt. It goes without saying how much better the 3rd design 03 belt was over the revised 03 one. And the revised 03 belt was definitely superior to the original design 03! Me? I changed to chain about a 1/2 dozen revisions ago. So far there have been no revisions on the chain that I'm aware of. | ||
| Jbird11 |
I really appreciate all the responses. I am not excited about spending the money but I would not be happy if I got stranded and/or ruined a good day of riding due to a belt brake. Thanks again. | ||
| California69gs |
I bought the parts from someone who did a chain conversion. Cost me $150 more then just a new belt. Mine started getting cracks last year at around 13k miles and it does not look any worse and I'm at 16k miles now. If you plan to keep the bike for a long time do the upgrade. I'd like a new scg now so I wish I had just gotten the better belt. | ||
| Nillaice |
i'm piecing a new belt kit together, pulleys from a gang-member of the chain persuasion, and am paying the extra $ for the peace of mind. belt or chain, anything is better than the gates belt. i wouldn't keep putting them back on my bike unless i got them for a handshake, which i did, but i still feel uneasy every time i twist the go-stick. mine snapped on me (second belt) and i gotta say; being stranded sux. it could have cost me alot more $ than it did. how much would a tow-service fee be to get you and your bike back home? | ||
| 46champ |
Gary that has to be the most concise genealogy of belts I have ever seen I just roared. | ||
| Petebueller |
JBird I'd stick with the old one. You could change the lot and find that you pick-up a stone soon after. I know someone with an '03 who is changing his first belt at 125,000km because he thinks he's pushed his luck. I picked up a stone at 24,000km and that ended my first belt. |
