| Author | Message | ||
     Syonyk |
I was putting some new rubber on the R, and noticed my drive belt has some cracking between teeth, all the way across. I've got just over 24k miles of commuting/touring/the occasional track day, and generally get better-than-average life out of my tires. Is this cracking enough to justify replacing the belt? If I have to, no big deal - I'd rather replace it before it fails & throw the old one under the seat. Also, anywhere that's less than $182 for a belt?  | ||
| Methyman |
http://www.lshd1.com/servlet/Categories | ||
| Methyman |
I would replace it. It would break at the worse time. | ||
| Jdugger |
Life is all over the map. I got 25k out of my first one when it broke for no understandable reason on a street ride. I replaced it, put the bike on the track, and after another almost 20,000 track and race miles the dang thing has a weird looking deflection in a spot, but no cracking, no fraying, etc. They aren't expensive, so buy another one and hang your old one on the tool board as a spare. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
Mine broke at 28K miles and when I inspected it the rubber almost seemed dry rotted...lots of fine surface cracks. The fuzzy edge revealing the fiber was torn out...a long piece of the fiber ripped loose when the belt parted. I only ride on the street. My worst habit is probably using the back torque instead of the brake to slow down. (Message edited by mountainstorm on June 27, 2011) | ||
| Syonyk |
Alright, that's good enough for me. I'll order a new one. ... actually, are they warrantied parts? "Hey, this looks like it *might* break soon?" Is that sufficient for a replacement? If not, no big deal, and realistically, I think I like the idea of having a spare. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
Nope. It's a consumable part according to my dealer. | ||
| Jdugger |
My first one was replaced under warranty... | ||
| Methyman |
Most dealers consider the belt a wearable item like brake and clutch wear. It will never hurt to try to see if it will be covered under warranty! | ||
| Froggy |
It is covered under warranty, but only if it breaks and you are running the stock belt guards. That said, I'd just pick one up from American Sport Bike, swap it out before it breaks and not deal with the hassle at a dealer or getting it towed. | ||
| Pizzaboy |
im on #3 at 25k. and i abuse my junk pretty heavily. i keep a spare with me at every track day, and at home in the garage otherwise. look at your belt every time you change your oil and take your rear wheel off; that will help see any potential issues with it before it turns into a bigger issue. if you rip a tooth back, cut it off the rest of the way, then carefully ride it back home to replace.  | ||
| Ridenusa4l |
im on 4 in 25k...i tend to go through at least 1 a year, ive limped home 20miles with about 3/4 of the teeth left on it...not that fun haha i had to do 55 on the free way lol Jake | ||
| Marinus |
Great pic, pizzaboy; a nice example of what to look for (even if that's an extreme case). | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Forever j/k. I have over 45K on belts and never had one broke. | ||
| Zac4mac |
3 Buells so far - Firebolt - 20k miles - broke 2, both my fault for not reading the destructions first... 1125R - 27k miles - none broken, 2 spares, 18-19k on this belt that rode under my seat for 2 months. XB12X - 23k miles - snapped a belt at ~20k when rear tire slapped into a ditch with a pointy bottom. I don't miss chains one bit. Z | ||
| Avc8130 |
I would HOPE the life would be ~15k or better. That way you have about the same operating costs as a chain, but NO maintenance. I don't miss chain maintenance one bit...but if the belts need replacing every 10k that will add up if you actually ride your bike. | ||
| Cataract2 |
05 XB9SX - 55,000 miles on original belt. Still on there. 08 1125R - 33,000 kilometers on 2nd belt. First one got a rock through it, but did no break. Had it replaced under warranty. | ||
| Jdugger |
> but if the belts need replacing every 10k that will add up if you actually ride your bike. That seems really often to me, but even if it's true it only brings the belt into a comparable operating cost range as chains and sprockets. Getting 10k out of a chain and sprocket set run the way I run my belts would be really something. Even if I paid for the belt that I broke at 24k, and I am going to replace the one on my race bike because it's getting a bit worn, I'm still way ahead of the cost of sprockets and chains. | ||
| Banana_man |
so what am I doing wrong.. my belt broke at 11275 miles. its up to 16K now and the jockey wheel can be turned now with out the belt turning.. I was told that this is the point when the belt need replacing. is this correct?? what can I do to improve the belt life. I wouldn't say I abuse my bike when I go out riding. no wheelies etc . but am no pipe smoker either. your thoughts please (Message edited by Banana Man on June 28, 2011) | ||
| Avc8130 |
You get chains/sprockets to wear out at less than 10k? Everyone I know has chains/sprockets on their bikes. With O-ring chains and steel sprockets 15k miles with NO MAINTENANCE (save for periodic lubing, but no proper cleaning) seems to be easily achievable. I know some guys that pull 20-25k wtih cleaning/lubing every 1k miles. Chain and sprockets cost about what the belt costs. If they both last the same time you are ahead on lube and aggravation savings. ac | ||
| Wbrisett |
I noticed that my belt is starting to fray slightly on the outer edge. I was told this is "normal" on the 1125s, I haven't looked at other 1125 belts much. My Uly doesn't have this issue, is this happening to others? Wayne | ||
| Sprintst |
I had 18k on my Triumph Sprint ST's chain and sprocket, still going strong. Little less power, but another 100 lbs of weight. I rode it about the same | ||
| Jdugger |
My comment came from a trackday/race perspective. To get 10k miles out of a chain and sprocket set in those conditions is really something. I've got a belt with twice that... | ||
| Avc8130 |
I figured your comment did. I can't see why a belt would outlast a chain on the track...but the other MAY be true on the street. ac | ||
| Jdugger |
> I can't see why a belt would outlast a chain on the track Empirical evidence suggests that it does... and by a lot. And, I'm not convinced a chain regularly outlasts the belt in any riding conditions. The belt's drawbacks are certainly many, but so far as I can tell operational cost or longevity aren't typically of them. I'm gonna really miss the belt when the day comes I quite racing the 1125r. That bit of technology seems it will go lost in the world and not be seen again... | ||
| Syonyk |
I like the belt... even if I'm looking at replacing it every 25k miles. The power losses of a chain drive with the maintenance of a shaft drive. Win as far as I'm concerned... I can't change sprockets, but I don't really do that anyway - I'm not good enough on the track to need that, and the 1125R gearing on the street is just fine as far as I'm concerned. |
