how long will the drive belt last?

[Willard]

I have a 2012 RT SM love it and only have about 17,000 miles on it. My question is how long will the average drive belt last?? I live in Texas and ride year around..Thanks

[ARtraveler]

They should last 50K to 75K--unless you get rocks caught up in them. I have replaced two--but both were premature and caused by rocks. 30K on both current bikes and no issues. Replacement is $300 or so--plus labor.

[Bob Denman]

D is right. If you don't kill them with abuse: they're good for at least that long.

[Chupaca]

With proper maintenance maybe longer than you will have the spyder. I have 40,000 + and plan to keep my 2012 RS sm5 for ever so I keep the tension adjusted and the tracking straight and avoid hazardous material as much as possible...

[Willard]

Thanks guys, Feel better. Leaving for Ruidoso Rally in a week.

[SpyderAnn01]

I gad one break on my 10 RT at around 25,000 miles but I sold my 14 RT with 123,000 miles and it still had the original belt.

[KX5062]

A belt should honestly last the life of the bike. Notwithstanding abuse, damage, or improper storage.

[Two cats]

Ours lasted 42000+ on our 2011RT. The rear wheel got out of line and pretty much chewed it up. I probably need to put a belt guard on it to keep stuff out.

[Bob Denman]

Thanks guys, Feel better. Leaving for Ruidoso Rally in a week.

Have a Safe & Fun trip!

[PW2013STL]

I don't know yet. 81,000+ miles on our 14 RT with original belt.

[Buckeye Chuck 54]

I'd never heard of any RT that had a belt last longer than mine. My original
croaked at 108,000. I just replaced my new one, it lasted 51,000 but it's
premature demise was caused by a worn rear sprocket.
MY RT-S is a 2014 SE6. Ann's was a 2014 RT-S also but was a manual shift.
I would think the manual would be harder on a belt than semi-auto.
Chuck

I gad one break on my 10 RT at around 25,000 miles but I sold my 14 RT with 123,000 miles and it still had the original belt.

[Motorcycledave]

A lot depends on how you ride, however I have had Harley belts last over 50K
I have 20+ on my Spyder and it is just fine looks good and no problems.
If it is properly adjusted the drive gears and the belt will last for many many miles.
Dave

I have a 2012 RT SM love it and only have about 17,000 miles on it. My question is how long will the average drive belt last?? I live in Texas and ride year around..Thanks

[dondje]

A lot depends on how you ride, however I have had Harley belts last over 50K
I have 20+ on my Spyder and it is just fine looks good and no problems.
If it is properly adjusted the drive gears and the belt will last for many many miles.
Dave

The cam belts on my Audi & VW have mileage and time change intervals. Off the top of my head they are 100k or 7 years - whichever comes first. But then if one of them goes, you loose an engine.

Regards,

Don

[PW2013STL]

The cam belts on my Audi & VW have mileage and time change intervals. Off the top of my head they are 100k or 7 years - whichever comes first. But then if one of them goes, you loose an engine.

Regards,

Don

My A4 (2000) calls for timing belt replacement at 80,000 miles, but I change them myself at the 70,000 mile mark. I don't want to have to do an engine so I error on the side of caution.
I have done two so far.
I ran into a lady at a gas station with the hood of her Audi up. I ask if she needed help. She told me that the had just gotten it back from having the motor repaired due to the timing belt snapping. She told me it cost her over $8,000 to have it fixed. I think they did a bad job as it looked like the head gasket was blown. I told her to bring it back and have them redo the whole engine since it loss all it's coolent and who knows how much damage that caused.

[peterRT]

Hi Bob this is an old thread but my belt just failed at 86000 kms and I've ordered a new one I will fit it myself

Regards Peter

[BajaRon]

A belt should honestly last the life of the bike. Notwithstanding abuse, damage, or improper storage.

I agree. It is important to check the belt for wear, stress cracks, etc. But a garaged, tension correctly maintained belt, baring external injury, will last the life of the Spyder. That belt is designed for stresses far beyond what your Spyder can ever dish out.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I'm thinking 250,000 mi. is possible. JMHO .... Mike

[BajaRon]

I'm thinking 250,000 mi. is possible. JMHO .... Mike

I am not so sure that has not already been achieved. Though I have no documentation. I have been told that the service tension on our belts is 600 psi! This is one of the reasons that the original belt tension was set so crazy high (more than 1/2 that number). Again, just what I've been told by people who should know. When the bearings started to blow up from that kind of tension, BRP made a number of downward adjustments to tension recommendations. Owners have made even further tension reductions with no adverse affects. These belts are way over spec'ed. And I am glad they are.

[GORP]

Hi All,
Newbie here. Have a 2022 RTL sitting at the dealer waiting for final parts to arrive!? Am I asking for trouble? I live on a gravel road with a mile of travel on it anytime I will want to go anywhere! From what I've been reading a belt guard would be an important add-on. Where can I find such an item? Your help will be greatly appreciated!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I am not so sure that has not already been achieved. Though I have no documentation. I have been told that the service tension on our belts is 600 psi! This is one of the reasons that the original belt tension was set so crazy high (more than 1/2 that number). Again, just what I've been told by people who should know. When the bearings started to blow up from that kind of tension, BRP made a number of downward adjustments to tension recommendations. Owners have made even further tension reductions with no adverse affects. These belts are way over spec'ed. And I am glad they are.

..... I had an 08 and an 11 RSS. I remember when the bearing issues arose and lowered the tension on both. When I bought a new 14 RT, the first thing I did was to lower the tension. Back then lowering the tension was controversial, but I figured it was better to have it a bit lower. I'm glad I did..... Mike

[JayBros]

Hi All,
Newbie here. Have a 2022 RTL sitting at the dealer waiting for final parts to arrive!? Am I asking for trouble? I live on a gravel road with a mile of travel on it anytime I will want to go anywhere! From what I've been reading a belt guard would be an important add-on. Where can I find such an item? Your help will be greatly appreciated!

Spyderpops, a sponsor.

[UtahPete]

I have a 2012 RT SM love it and only have about 17,000 miles on it. My question is how long will the average drive belt last?? I live in Texas and ride year around..Thanks

I'm going to have to replace mine at 30k miles, but only because I don't want to take a chance on a cross-country trip with the one I've got that has a small rock penetration in it. Otherwise, I'd expect to get 100k I think.

[UtahPete]

Hi All,
Newbie here. Have a 2022 RTL sitting at the dealer waiting for final parts to arrive!? Am I asking for trouble? I live on a gravel road with a mile of travel on it anytime I will want to go anywhere! From what I've been reading a belt guard would be an important add-on. Where can I find such an item? Your help will be greatly appreciated!

This is the one I got. Great product. https://spyderpops.com/the-missing-b...odels-2014-up/

[UtahPete]

Hi Bob this is an old thread but my belt just failed at 86000 kms and I've ordered a new one I will fit it myself Regards Peter

Your drive belt? Strange.

[2dogs]

Ordered the plastic guard and couldn't get it to fit without it rubbing either the tire or the belt. Tried the supplier's recommendations for adjustment but nothing worked. Heat bend and cool didn't work either. Bought the aluminum guard and the installation was easy and simple. Granted there's not a lot of room down there but the aluminum guard did the job for me.