Timing Belts lifespan

[98valk]

I believe the OEM/Gates timing belts are indeed Gates PowerGrip GT Belts

http://file.lasersaur.com/docs-thirdparty/The_World_of_Timing_Belts.pdf

The PowerGrip GT Belt Drive System is an advance in product design over the Gates' older,standard  HTD  system.    The  PowerGrip  GT  System,  featuring  a  modified  curvilinear  belt  tooth profile, provides timing and indexing accuracy superior to the conventional PowerGrip Trapezoidal Belt System.  Plus, PowerGrip GT Belts have a higher capacity and longer belt life than trapezoidal belts.

T-39SECTION 9    DESIGN AND INSTALLATION SUGGESTIONS

8. Belts are, in general, rated to yield a minimum of 3000 hours of useful life if all instructions are properly followed.

https://itstillruns.com/convert-hours-engine-miles-5978869.html
Use the number you come up with to estimate how many miles are on your engine. For example, 1,235 hours on an engine equates to approximately 74,100 miles.

Multiply the amount of hours on your engine by 60.

3000 hrs = 180,000 miles minimum useful life.

[Chrisj CMA]

Or just change them every 80-100K miles

[Bagger John - #3785]

Or just change them every 80-100K miles

As cheap as they are and as simple as the process is, this. I time mine to coincide with a valve adjustment wherein all the valve adjusters are loosened, belts changed then the valves clearanced. Minimizes spring forces.

[Grandpot]

I change mine every 50,000 miles.  No worries, cheap insurance.

[98valk]

I change mine every 50,000 miles.  No worries, cheap insurance.

waste of money since they are designed for 100+k miles, cause u know the Honda engineers don't know what they are doing for their Flagship engine.
they are not the belts used in '80s 4-cyclinder car engines which required 50-60k mile change out.

cheap insurance is emotional engineering.

send me your old ones.

[Grandpot]

I change mine every 50,000 miles.  No worries, cheap insurance.

waste of money since they are designed for 100+k miles, cause u know the Honda engineers don't know what they are doing for their Flagship engine.
they are not the belts used in '80s 4-cyclinder car engines which required 50-60k mile change out.

cheap insurance is emotional engineering.

send me your old ones.

Everyone has an opinion.

[98valk]

Or just change them every 80-100K miles

That's my plan at 100k after a good inspection.

interesting enough pulleys failing destroy many belts before the belts service life is met in vehicles and industry.
The GL1500 and GL1200 pulleys actually have clearance holes on the support plate allowing to add some grease to the pulley bearing to extend their life and prevent failure.

[Tfrank59]

I changed mine at 30k for the feel good thing but coming up on 100k now don’t plan to for another 20k-ish miles.  Guess I’m a believer now or just got lazy 

[Bagger John - #3785]

I changed my '99's a couple of years ago primarily due to age, not miles. The '01 will be getting a belt change when its next valve adjustment comes due. They each have ~20k on them; having two other bikes (as well as owning several more since the two current Valkyries arrived) has kept the miles down. Maybe on each individual motorcycle but certainly not on me.