Opinion on Timing Belt Please

[Cyclejohn]

I'm going to replace the timing belts on my '97 tourer (only 21k on belts but 12+ yrs. old) the K&L belts from HDL are $61.28 apiece the Napa belts from Jeff K's maintenance page are $24.50 apiece. In someone's knowledgeable opinion is the napa belt a good belt? Thanks in advance for the help.  John

[Jay]

I replaced the timing belts on my 99 Tourer last winter with 72k on the clock.  I used the NAPA belts.  No issues, I think they are as good if not better than OEM.  BTW, the stock ones didn't look that bad, but I replaced them anyway.

[fast black]

I have a 98 standard with 76,000 and put new belts on last Sat.  This is first time they have been changed.  I used Jeff K. generic list also. Got mine at auto zone.  Any of the belts listed are fine in my opinion, but I had to double check part no.  Also my old belts looked really good.
adios
fast black

[DFragn]

100k miles OK...
I'm another for piece of mind, although several members have reported their belts to be in good condition at the Honda recommended interval [100k mile] change out.
I changed mine out with Napa belts a few years ago at 8 years of age & 60k miles.
My mind is at peace. No worries for another 8 unless my mileage drastically increases.

[valk2128]

I also replaced mine with NAPA belts and no problems.

[Sodbuster]

Do you have the part number handy for NAPA ??

[Cyclejohn]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses and good info about actual experience. Ordered the belts this morning will be here tomorrow morning. Napa part #250275. Price was $21.44 ea. Ordered 2. Once again Thanks to all.        John

[John Schmidt]

I've done likewise on a Wing I owned prior to the Valk....used the NAPA with no problems. Had an old Honda mechanic(older than me anyway) give me some advice when I questioned him about replacing the belts at certain intervals. His remark...."they're guaranteed for the life of the engine, you break a belt, that's the life of your engine." He followed that with recommending a change anywhere around the 60-75k mark, but it doesn't hurt to at least look at them every so often.

[F6Dave]

I think Gates makes both belts so there is no difference other than price.

[SPOFF]

His remark...."they're guaranteed for the life of the engine, you break a belt, that's the life of your engine..."

That's a good question. Is the Valkyrie in fact an interference engine? Many are not. If not, should you lose a belt, the 50 hp from the other bank of cylinders is plenty enough to get home. Interestingly, in 12 years of reading these boards, I cannot recall a single belt failure. The only experience I have personally is an original Gold Wing. It's at 33 years and counting on the original  belts.

[Sodbuster]

The only experience I have personally is an original Gold Wing. It's at 33 years and counting on the original  belts.

The old 4 cyl. 'Wings are interference engines.  They apparently are more prone to snapping a belt than the Valk's. If I were you I would seriously consider replacing those belts soon.  I used to have an '83 'Wing and starting feeling uneasy after 30k miles.