Sunday before Memorial Sunday, my rear belt broke 8 miles from home. Found the old belt and there was a lot of teeth missing on the belt. I don't know if a rock got in there or if the belt was to tight and wore out from stress. Only have 59k on the clock. Already have a new belt ready to go on when my mechanic gets ready to install it. 2007 Electra Glide Classic.

 

Maybe he has a Sportster ...

 

Often people take guards off that causes most of the rock damage. But looks cool with it off.

 

Agree. The stock guard isn't perfect, but it does a pretty darn good job of keeping rocks and debris out of the belt.

 

Does not prove anything,but my wife belt lasted. Skinny belt pac manned at 55k

Some people like to run a belt until it leaves them stranded for hours, late for work, or talking to cops.

Belt guards are better now.

 

I noticed a squeak coming from the back end of my bike at around 48,000 miles. The belt cogs were completely worn out and cracked and both front and rear sprockets were chewed up so everything needed to be replaced. I'm assuming the previous owner took the bike down a lot of back roads covered in small stones and debris.

 

Had to go off the road to avoid a collision and picked up a stone in my belt. Didn't make it a mile down the road before it snapped.

 

My 1996 belt was on the bike 20 plus years on changed it because of other work being done and it was off. Never replaced a belt even with extremely high mileage.
Always kept rock guard in place. I have a long gravel drive way and never avoid gravel roads . Lucky maybe.

I have seen broken chains do some major damage in my like time..

 

I was wondering too, and came across this today......... @Harley_ish has a good point. Whole video is good, but check it out at about 6:00 min......

 

I live on a dirt road and my driveway is dirt. I go slow and avoid throwing stones up and about the belt area. I put about 12K miles on the belt and it looks good.
Stone Free. I would think that if you run your belt on the tight side, stones would do more damage. Keeping the mph down while in the dirt is best anyway, keeps the dust down, a little bit, lol. If the belt breaks, thats fine. I want to switch to a rear sprocket with less teeth and belt to match. Pickup a few extra mph.