Chain vs belt

Adam Hoag · 2018-07-19 18:20:52

:icon_laugh::icon_laugh:They are just SO last Century. . :icon_laugh:

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#21

07-20-2018, 06:49 AM

RRider

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Quote:

Originally Posted by grbrown

They are just SO last Century. .

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grbrown (07-20-2018)

#22

07-20-2018, 07:41 AM

John Harper

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba10jdl

Use a nice x-ring chain. I wear out a standard chain in about 4500 miles and it needs adjusted every 300 or so. Running 10k+ on an x-ring and counting. Only 1 adjustment needed so far. Lube often and liberally. Non-compensated v-twin is hard on a chain.

Wow, that's pretty much the exact experience I have had with chains. I was wondering if there was something wrong because I have not seen need to adjust my X ring chain in 3000 miles so far. Amazing compared to my old chains. I keep mine well lubed, the BelRay stuff is easy to apply and does not fly off and make any mess at all.

John

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Madnss (07-20-2018)

#23

07-20-2018, 11:23 AM

kuri77

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba10jdl

Not because of power, but because the way I ride I can't afford to have a belt **** out on me in the middle of nowhere (before anyone says otherwise, I've seen and had it happen). It turns a long weekend in to a disaster because you hit a stone on that gravel road 4 miles back....try finding a dealer that stocks a belt. Not gonna happen unless the stars align.

With my big twin used to carry a spare belt on trips though I knew the odds of it breaking were pretty small and the odds of me changing it on the side of the road were even smaller what with everything involved. However, one of the many reasons I went to a Sportster was ease of replacing the belt. I could easily do that along side the road so thanks for reminding me to carry a spare for long trips. They come pretty compactly packaged from HD and easy fit in a saddle bag.

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#24

07-20-2018, 12:53 PM

cacomly

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232,000 miles on my 2006 Sporty and I have had one belt break at 68,000 miles due to damage and excessive force on it when I went from neutral to first due to my Spring Plate going bad and my not realizing it.

When I am on a trip I take a spare belt with me just in case. The one I take is a used one as it is easier to put on than a brand new one.

I have no desire to have a chain, but if you want one go for it.

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08xl1200r (07-20-2018)

#25

07-24-2018, 06:04 AM

Jehu

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For a 1250 rubber ripping wheelie machine perhaps I can see the benefit(s) of a chain.

For off-road mounts with more suspension travel. a chain is better than a belt as belt drives work with limited rear suspension travel set-ups.

Two of my current motorcycles have chains, obviously the DR650, which is used off road and gets/stays dirty as well as my 1250S Bandit. In the case of the latter, modern chains are not as messy and maintenance intensive as those from a by-gone era but, admittedly, it's not as care free as the belt drives we have all come to know and love.

For my two Suzukis, I prefer a chain; for the Harleys, a belt drive is nice. If I ever decide to make a Scrambler bike out of my 883 Iron, I would switch to a chain - for the added rear suspension travel it would allow.

That's my two-cents ... for whatever it's worth.

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