Had a buddy lose his belt as he was slowing for a tool booth Saturday. In all your experiences how many miles or years would you replace this as a precaution? I know checking it for pourosity but approximately how long do they last? Thanks.

 

100,000 MILES...HD STATES

 

If you replace it before it breaks, you are only wasting $$.

 

My buddy's Heritage belt broke at 15,000 miles while cruising at 70 on the interstate. He had just had a 15,000 mile check done by a dealer.The indy that replaced it said that it had obviously been way over tightened at the 15K check. When he got home his dealer agreed with the indy and reimbursed him for the repair.

 

To me replacing it after say 8 years and or 40,000 miles is well worth it to not be broken down on the side of the road. Don't you change your belts and hoses in your car before they break or crack? Just sayin'......and seeing what others think.

 

I was told by a Dealer that with my sporty, my back would go out before the belt would. He must have been right because the belt is still fine but my Back has screws and rods in it!

 

Generally, if a belt is broken and not due to foreign material damage...it is a loose belt condition. The flapping of the belt causes stress on the internal cords and pops the belt.

 

my 99 UC had 118,000 on the original belt when I sold it. Still worked and looked fine. I did carry one of the emergency belts along though. Some of the early 2000 model years had defective belts and some of the replacements were bad too. My dealer said to do a smokin' hole shot. If it was one of the bad ones, you would find out then. Ken

 

I'm at8 years and 69k. The belt still looks like new....... I wouldn't change a belt on a car that looked good. Hoses are another matter, they go bad from the inside out.

I also don't plan on being on the side of the road broken down very long, either. I carry one of HD's emergency belts.

 

My belt broke yesterday when I was leaving work. The belt looked like it was in good condition before it broke. I had about 73K miles on it. I wont wait next time for it to break, I'll change at 70K.