A word to the wise regarding CVT belt

[RykerUSA]

I noticed my transmission was slipping at higher speeds. When I would give it throttle, I could tell it was slipping. After while, I received a check engine light with Limp Home warning but the bike did not go into limp mode. I was still able to drive at 60 to 70 miles an hour. When I stopped, I could smell a burning smell.

Now, with those facts/conditions, who can guess the problem and the fix???

Inquiring minds need to know.

[Highwayman2013]

The only thing that could slip would be the CVT belt.

[Chupaca]

not being familiar with the system it would seem that an inspection would be a wise step. Could be the face plates are contaminated as well as the belt, could be the tension is not set correctly ....

[RykerUSA]

OK, problem was a dirty CVT air filter not allowing enough cooling air flow and therefore the over heating up the belt. Incidentally, when the CVT filter is getting dirty, the pleats will separate forming larger gaps between the pleats due to the significant vacuum trying the pull air through the dirty filter. So, if you see your pleats separating, it's time to be thinking about a new filter. I have had my bike for 10000 miles and I am on my 3rd CVT filter. They get dirty quickly.

Keep the breeze at your knees.

[Chupaca]

Does K&N filters have one that will work on the Ryker.... they are wire mesh re-inforced and washable with a better air flow. If this is something that is going to give ryker ryders a problem seems there should be one or one will be available soon....

PS: Thanks for getting back with the information and the explanation...Ryker ryders should add this the check list before long rydes or at least periodically...

[Rob Rodriguez]

Good to know. I haven't checked by CVT filter lately. The CVT belt in general creates a lot of its own dust and the clutch area is typically filled with belt dust and grime from normal wear. I've never understood why BRP is so anal about enclosing their CVT systems (on all their products not just the Ryker). Other manufactures don't, they keep them more "open" so they can breath, run cooler and are easier to clean.

Thanks for the info.

[leenanj]

Kind of makes me wonder why the CVT needs to be filtered at all.

Off road machines like the Polaris and Can Am don't filter there CVT's at all and there exposed to dusty trails and sand and extreme heat and abuse.

An on road bike running at hi speeds its more important to keep it cool than restrict air flow in my opinion.

Maybe just a prefilter to keep big stuff from entering.

[RykerUSA]

Yes, K&N does offer a filter for the Ryker. Search eBay. Given how quickly this tricycle goes through filters, I'm gonna have to spring for one. Anything special needed to clean one of these filters?

[BajaRon]

Does K&N filters have one that will work on the Ryker.... they are wire mesh re-inforced and washable with a better air flow. If this is something that is going to give ryker ryders a problem seems there should be one or one will be available soon....

PS: Thanks for getting back with the information and the explanation...Ryker ryders should add this the check list before long rydes or at least periodically...

Yes, KN-9910. Same filter as the Ryker engine air filter. Same filter that goes on the 2010-2013 RT Spyder and 2013-2016 RS/RSS/ST Spyder.

[Chupaca]

Yes, K&N does offer a filter for the Ryker. Search eBay. Given how quickly this tricycle goes through filters, I'm gonna have to spring for one. Anything special needed to clean one of these filters?

K&N sells a cleaner and the oil to re-treat. I have used them for years on all cars and bikes starting with dirt bikes and they have always performed well. Other cleaners and oils are available in most bike shops and autoparts stores....

[poli]

The K&N fits but not sure on using it on CVT side because of the oil.

[safecracker]

I wonder if the filter is to keep out water. CVT's do not like water. I would think the CVT would work just fine without filter except on rainy days. Bruce

[old Timer]

Question for RykerUSA,

Do you ride on a lot of dirt/gravel roads and trails?

[JoshHefnerX]

If the belt's been overheated, it's probably time to replace it. On the x3's at least they don't last long after high heat.

They don't filter the offroad belt intakes because you should be in there occasionally blowing out the system, and half the time the filters are plugged anyhow. Which is why the S&B's are so popular.

[RykerUSA]

Not really. Not much riding in really dusty conditions.

[BajaRon]

The K&N fits but not sure on using it on CVT side because of the oil.

A suspended oil type filter like the K&N should not be a problem. Properly treated (as they are from the factory), I can't imagine it would be detrimental to a CVT belt. The CVT belt is going to be much less sensitive than say a MAF sensor in an intake system. And the K&N filters work fine with these.

The only oil issues I've ever heard of with a K&N or similar oil suspension filter is when someone thinks 'If a little oil is good, then more must be better'. You do not want to over-oil these filters when you recharge them. They come from the factory properly oiled.

I have not put a K&N filter on my Ryker yet, though I do plan to. My feeling is that the K&N will have advantage over a paper filter in that they are almost impossible to clog. The more dirt an oil suspension filter catches, (to a point) the better they filter. Yet even full of dirt, they will continue to pass good volumes of air whereas a paper filter with a lesser amount of captured dirt can become quite restricted. This advantage might well avoid the issue this OP is experiencing.