| Author | Message | ||
     Father_of_an_era |
Why is it that the 1125R, RR, and 1190 all have chains instead of belts? Can the belt not handle the tension or is there a better feel to the chain? If so, why is it the stock 1125r,CR come with the belt? Just curious, thanks for the info. | ||
| Maul |
I am sure someone with more knowledge will chime in, but I believe it is because they are race bikes and use different sprockets for different tracks. The belt was used on the street versions because they are maintenance free. | ||
| Froggy |
The race bikes have chains due to the ease of adjusting the gear ratios. They may need to gear shorter with a bigger sprocket to dominate a short tight track, then use a small tall gear sprocket for a course that is more straight and allow for higher top speeds. Some racing requires them leave the belt stock, so in those cases they still run the belt without issue. Belts are superior for street use due to the lack of noise, no maintenance and no need to adjust them. | ||
| Froggy |
What he said  | ||
| Xband |
I asked an American Sport Bike rep the same question. He said that ratios were a factor. But it is really the little hot sticky rubber bits that get laid down and kicked up when a lot of 160+ hp bikes go around in a circle. They have the potential to kill a belt or knock it of the wheel. | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
Wow! Thanks for the info. I was hoping it wasn't because the belts were cheaper to manufacture or something of that nature. From my experience (and it may just be in my head) the belt seems to have a better response and a smoother feel to it. But I was uncertain as to the specifics.... | ||
| Froggy |
Indeed belts are also smoother and do not have lash like chains, although this is partly to do with the cush-drive in the front sprocket. The XB's are smoother. And at $180 a belt, I doubt they are cheaper to manufacture, but they tend to need replacing less often than chains so it balances out in the end. | ||
| Geforce |
Your hunch is correct. Belts also don't have the "slack" like chains do. There are drawbacks but I don't mind my belt driven bikes one bit. Nice, quiet, smooth and works great for my skill level on the track. If I had to choose a piece of chain hitting me or a belt...I'd take the belt. | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
So, it wasn't in my head. Good to know! Now I can tell myself the truth before I get upset. lol | ||
| Xband |
I don't know anything firsthand about racing although I would like to. But this idea made sense to me. I have seen race footage where hot stickies got on the camera. American Sport Bike even said it could mess with their final ratios! But belts are quiet, long lasting, rustproof and I think they have great feel. (I used to ride an SV650). Plus he said that the 1125 belt system could take even more horsepower! Belts rule the streets with an iron fist.  | ||
| Jaimec |
A brand new chain will have less frictional losses than a brand new belt. However, as they age the belt will never change, the chain will eventually develop MORE frictional losses than the belt before it has to be replaced. The belt also weighs less, which plays into Erik's "Low Unsprung Weight" mantra. I think I heard somewhere that the belt/pulley system weighs 16 lbs less than a chain/sprocket would. | ||
| Dirty_john |
1).When a belt snaps there is less risk of totaling the crankcases. 2).A well set up belt drive will absorb less power than a chain. 3).Belt requires no lubrication or adjustment. 4).Less mass for the suspension to deal with 5).Belt drive should be quieter. There are the obvious issues with belt drive 1).Not easy to change drive ratios. 2).Have a habit it seems of snapping but not had this on my HD. 3).It will become progressively harder to get hold of replacement belts and pulleys as time marches on - chains are more readily available. Just my thoughts, but after many years of bike riding with chain driven bikes I was glad to go over to belts. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
I noticed on the b2 they went to a chain setup, i wondered why they switched to chain. I like the belt system myself. | ||
| Slaughter |
If I had to guess on the B2, the chain may have been to: Allow "beta testing" of the machines while still trying different gear ratios for rideability and pollution/noise testing??? or AMA Homologation (not too likely since the rules usually allow final drive and suspension changes on homologated bikes) or They may just have intended it all along as a machine geared as much to the racer as to the street rider... hence the chain. dunno... we're all speculating. | ||
| Stirz007 |
One other item of note: the chain drive allows changes to wheelbase. Belt drive set up is fixed wheelbase. |
