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Jesh
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« on: January 14, 2012, 01:06:41 PM » |
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Looking for a second bike. Never had a belt drive. What are the maintenance pros & cons?
Bikes of interest:
V Star 1300
Triumph Thunderbird
VStrom 1000
Triumph America
Any feedback on the bikes would be appreciated too.
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justooneez
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« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2012, 01:58:38 PM » |
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I'm not an expert, but I know I just paid 250 for a new belt and sprockets on my dads crotch rocket, we put it on ourselves, and he cleans and lubed it religiously Belts seem like lowest maintenance, but seem to limit clearances as well as shock travel I love my valks shaft, perfect mix for me  |
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Robert
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« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2012, 05:02:19 PM » |
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Virtually no maintenance but they do break.
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 7028
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2012, 06:11:13 PM » |
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I've never had a belt drive.
I have both chain and shaft drive bikes.
For maintenace I GREATLY prefer shaft drive.
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005
Member
Posts: 13848
American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God.
Beautiful east Tennessee ( GOD'S Country )
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« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2012, 06:48:11 PM » |
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I bought the Suzuki Bandit 1200 S below brand new at 20,000 miles both sprockets and chain needed replaced cost me about $225.00  |
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 I've seen alot of people that thought they were cool , but then again Lord I've seen alot of fools. |
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Jesh
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« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2012, 10:25:06 AM » |
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Thanks for the information guys. I guess it`s gonna come down to which ever bike feels best. It would be nice if Honda had a surprise up there sleeve, their line of cruisers for 2012 looks pretty dull.
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olddog1946
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« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2012, 10:27:14 AM » |
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I've never had a belt drive bike, but heard they work well. As to chain drive, well let's just say I don't plan on another one. Had an old Z1 Kawasaki, that left me stranded when all the teeth got torn on the final drive sprocket , well actually had 3 teeth left, and I did manage to get it home slowly..turned out the sprocket was plastic..who'd have thunk it. 6 shaft drive bikes over the years and it's the only way to go.
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VRCC # 32473
US AIR FORCE E7, Retired 1965-1988
01 Valk Std.
02 BMW k1200LTE
65 Chevelle coupe, 1986 Mazda RX-7 with 350/5spd, 1983 Mazda RX-7 with FOMOCO 302/AOD project, 95 Mustang GT Convertible 5.0, 5 spd
Moses Lake, Wa. 509-760-6382 if you need help
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Fudd
Member
Posts: 1733
MSF RiderCoach
Denham Springs, La.
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« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2012, 11:19:50 AM » |
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I like belts.
If they can hold up to all the horsepower that a Boss Hoss has, so they got to be tough.
No mess slinging off, like a chain drive . No 10% loss of horsepower drop to the rear wheel, like a shaft drive.
The belt is simple and clean and efficient.
It is possible to break a belt, but no more likely than having a problem with, a u-joint, pinion gear or spllne fitting.
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 Save a horse, ride a Valkyrie |
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Jess Tolbirt
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« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2012, 01:00:52 PM » |
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if your chain breaks while your out somewhere ...  you can fix it ... if your belt breaks ...  your screwed ... if i cant fix it then i guess carrying a spare belt is a waste of space in the bag,, |
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Valkyrie member # 23084
Started out on old forum on day one but lost my member number.
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solo1
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« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2012, 02:00:02 PM » |
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I liked my Valk . Shaft drive is great.
I also like what I'm riding now, a 2006 Vstrom 1000. Chain drive, liquid cooled, injected. It flat out goes, almost 7 inches suspension, handles great, consistent 45 mpg. It's like a KLR, but much heavier and a LOT more horsepower.
Over the years, I've had chain drive bikes. Maintenance, yes, but reliable too. Wear on sprockets and chains is visually easy to inspect. Less weight than shaft drive. On belt drive I've heard but don't know if dissassemby of swing arm is needed to replace a belt.
For what it's worth.
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« Last Edit: January 16, 2012, 02:02:06 PM by solo1 »
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BigAl
Guest
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« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2012, 02:20:34 PM » |
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Talked with a Boss Hoss owner about which Boss Hoss to buy and why.
He said they are all about the same, except horsepower wise.
But he recommended the belt drive, as one run with four barrel kicked in will destroy a chain, one run wide open run and the chain is
toast.
But the belt is longer lived on these.
Belt drive has zero maintenance, sprockets should be changed out at 100,000 miles.
As far as longevity and road side repairs,,,I saw and article about a coulpe who toured on an Electriglide and at 270,000 the belt broke.
Left them on the side of the road about a block from the houe they live in.
That is just luck.
There is a emergency belt youcan buy to just get you to the next Harley Shop, which these days is about all major metropolitan area.
If you were to be out on a trip andexp. a belt blow out , merely emerg. belt it on over or tow truck and they alwasys have your belt in stock.
So belt for me, and that is from now on.
Most Harley shops are open 7 days a week as well.
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« Last Edit: January 16, 2012, 02:22:10 PM by BigAl »
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16859
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2012, 02:26:36 PM » |
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... sprockets should be changed out at 100,000 miles. Al, you're the first I ever heard of getting 100,000 miles out of a sprocket.  |
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scoot
Member
Posts: 909
Lifes too short Ride it hard
Grand Rapids Mi.
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« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2012, 03:57:29 PM » |
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... sprockets should be changed out at 100,000 miles. Al, you're the first I ever heard of getting 100,000 miles out of a sprocket. I think he meant with a belt drive. |
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 Some like to ride Fat boys, I think I'll stay with the fat lady |
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KSDragonRider
Member
Posts: 777
The beatings will continue until morale improves
Salina, KS
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« Reply #13 on: January 16, 2012, 03:57:39 PM » |
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I have a couple friends with 1990s harleys, both with over 40 on them, neither have ever done anything to the belts. One of them carries a spare belt with him, and has had the stock belt off a couple of times and looked it over good, found nothing wrong with it and put it back on. He plans on changing it out at 50k and turn the stock belt into the spare.
He loves it.
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Dalen & Shay -> Salina, KS
VRCC Member #33950
1999 Red & Black Valkyrie Interstate
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BigAl
Guest
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« Reply #14 on: January 16, 2012, 04:06:25 PM » |
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... sprockets should be changed out at 100,000 miles. Al, you're the first I ever heard of getting 100,000 miles out of a sprocket. Well I call a belt drive sprocket a sprocket. I suppose you could call it a shive, a pulley wheel, cog, or some other concoction. But I will go with sprocket on a belt drive. |
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« Last Edit: January 16, 2012, 04:10:22 PM by BigAl »
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16859
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #15 on: January 16, 2012, 05:56:36 PM » |
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Well I call a belt drive sprocket a sprocket. Well, then, that makes more sense. I guess you did reference the belt drive in the sentence immediately prior. |
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Tropic traveler
Member
Posts: 3117
Livin' the Valk, er, F6B life in Central Florida.
Silver Springs, Florida
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« Reply #16 on: January 16, 2012, 06:19:37 PM » |
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We got 13K out of the OE chain on Kim's SS750. To be fair I changed the rear sprocket out at 4K from the 41t original to a 39t to get the highway R'sPM down. I'm sure that took some life out of the chain. Ended up "loaning" the 750 at 18K to Kim's brother after he lost his bike {wreck} & then his job {layoff}. Haven't seen it in about 2 years so I don't know how many miles he has gotten from the 2nd set. ??? I prefer the shaft drive, chain is a PITA to maintain. Belt might be kinda cool if it would live a long time on a high HP bike. No personal experience with belts so I don't know.  |
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'99 Valkyrie black & silver Tourer, traded in on my F6B
'05 Triumph R3 gone but not forgotten!
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The Anvil
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« Reply #17 on: January 16, 2012, 06:28:32 PM » |
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Belt drive is my preference, hands down. Except for adjustment after initial stretch there is virtually no maintenance and it's lighter and more efficient. Belts are also readily available. Just keep an eye on it and it just as you would your shaft.
And with belts it's a "pulley", not a sprocket.
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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RoadKill
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« Reply #18 on: January 16, 2012, 06:34:55 PM » |
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I have bought chains at JohnDeer dealers and other farm equipment stores that will get you home to almost anywhere (maybe not Argentina or Alaska). The ONLY shaft maintenance I have ever done is on a Valk. Wife put 10k every 3 months on a suzuki shaft,9 months a year for 3 or 4 yrs and 15k/yr for a few yrs after. No problems. Belt drive still wins in my book,no maint.,fewer parts,lighter weight,simplicity at it's best. A similar drive belt keeps your Valkyrie valve timing in order at A LOT more RPM and in a hotter environment.
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Jess Tolbirt
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« Reply #19 on: January 17, 2012, 04:54:34 AM » |
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i wonder how many horse power it takes to turn the blower on a nitro top fueler? and guess what drives it? yep a belt,,,
what are those something like 5000 horse power? i dont think my little ole 89 horse power engine will wear mine out very soon,, and yep i carry a spare,,,you know just in case,,,
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Valkyrie member # 23084
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