How can you tell....... when it's time to change the CVT Belt?

[gkamer]

Just for my own future information, how can you tell when it's time to change the CVT belt on your Ryker????

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Just for my own future information, how can you tell when it's time to change the CVT belt on your Ryker????

Well you can either use the time prescribed on the manual or wait until there is an issue ..... some members have gone past recommended mileage without an issue ..... I have not read of anyone waiting until it broke..... good luck .... Mike

[SportsterDoc]

Measure belt width

New BRP 417 300 571 is reported to be 38.3 mm wide (1.507")

The minimum is 35.3 mm (1.389") based upon owner's manual of 3 mm max wear

This corresponds to the post by RykerUSA, reporting a belt change at 11,000 miles, with a width of 1.44" within spec...which is a little over half worn.

Since a narrower belt will ride lower in the primary, there may be an increase in RPMs for the same speed, same conditions, but I could see no difference in my 6,000 miles.

I started a thread, seeking input, but there was enough flak from Spyder owners, that it was abandoned.

If that theory is reasonable, then it would have a compound effect:

Lower into the primary is less belt speed and even lower into secondary is less drive shaft speed.

[RykerUSA]

I now have 13,000 on my second belt (Gates). No issues.

[BajaRon]

Recommended replacement schedules build in a safety factor. They don't know how you ride. The terrain, speeds, loading, etc. So, they try to come up with a one size fits all with that safety factor built in. Most will be able to go farther than the service interval mileage. As mentioned above. If you want to get the most out of each belt. You're going to have to measure the width.

[SportsterDoc]

Your first belt change at 11,000 miles was at 1.754 mm wear, based upon original belt at 38.5 mm.
If original belt width was as expected and your 1.44 (36.576 mm) measurement accurate, the average rate of wear was 0.159 mm per thousand miles.
With a factory spec of 3 mm wear, that left 1.2176 mm to use, if wear is consistent.
1.276/0.159 = 8 (thousand miles) wear remaining, if riding style remained the same and rate of wear remained the same.

If the above numbers are fully correct and based upon your riding style, 19,000 miles would be the most to be expected from your belt.

On that basis, life expectancy is probably 15K to 18K miles. Higher miles for more cruising and less burn-outs/hooligan riding/rapid acceleration around town.

That makes sense for Can-Am to conservatively recommend replacement at 12,000 miles to avoid issues on the road.

Be interesting for a Ryker rider willing to go 15-18K miles and then measure the belt width.

[SportsterDoc]

I would expect there to be a correlation between rear tire wear and belt wear, since it is so very easy to break the rear tire loose with WOT acceleration below 40 MPH...even in ECO mode. Wish I had measured tread depth, but think rear was ~1/3 worn at 6,000 miles....many long distance miles.

Somewhat close to June forecast:

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...ad#post1526685

I measured tread depth on my rear tire at 9/32 and expect original was 10/32.
That is only 1/32 wear in almost 2,000 miles.
If worn to legal limit (not something I am likely to do), then I have 7/32 left.
At 2,000 miles per 1/32, I could run another 14,000 miles on the original tire.
In addition, as tires wear, they harden and last longer.

[acdcking12]

Not to Hijack, but since my question is relevant, is it the same for Spyders as well?

[Possible]

Not to Hijack, but since my question is relevant, is it the same for Spyders as well?

Spyders don't use a CVT belt, so no concerns.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Not to Hijack, but since my question is relevant, is it the same for Spyders as well?

I don't see how ??? ... Only the Rykers use a " CVT " belt .... All other Spyders use a drive that doesn't depend on width to make them work. ..... Mike ..... about 3 yrs. ago I bought a DIGITAL caliper ( metric and inch ) @ Harbor Freight, works very as designed to do .... cost now $ 9.99 ..... uses an SR44 battery ..... my battery is still working

[acdcking12]

I don't see how ??? ... Only the Rykers use a " CVT " belt .... All other Spyders use a drive that doesn't depend on width to make them work. ..... Mike ..... about 3 yrs. ago I bought a DIGITAL caliper ( metric and inch ) @ Harbor Freight, works very as designed to do .... cost now $ 9.99 ..... uses an SR44 battery ..... my battery is still working

Ok, I mis typed. The belt that the spyder uses, do they need to be replaced as frequently as the CVT belt on the rykers?

[Possible]

Ok, I mis typed. The belt that the spyder uses, do they need to be replaced as frequently as the CVT belt on the rykers?

No. They have very different tasks, the Spyder belt is simply power transfer to the rear wheel.

[SportsterDoc]

No. They have very different tasks, the Spyder belt is simply power transfer to the rear wheel.

+1

Sypder belt is a gear belt, as used on a Harley. Very long life, unless a pebble gets between belt and pulley (sprocket). Tensioners are used due to length longer than H-D.

Ryker belt is a high strength V belt, notched/cogged *, used between variable pitch sheaves. Primary is centrifugal controlled. Secondary is spring loaded.

https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...ejxAKIQ9pwGCAU

*cogged construction allows v-belts to flex easier around small diameter drive sheaves and run cooler than non-cogged v-belts

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Ok, I mis typed. The belt that the spyder uses, do they need to be replaced as frequently as the CVT belt on the rykers?

Well there are a few members with well over 100,000 miles on the original drive belt .... If the belt gets damaged, that's a different story .... IMHO I expect to get 250,000 mi. from my 2014 RT belt .... good luck .... Mike

[chris56]

we have now 16.000 miles and still no problem with the (second) belt ..

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...77#post1519477

[SportsterDoc]

Since this thread sidetracked to Spyder application, on a Sportster with a timing belt/gear belt, belt life with aggressive riding has been "50-60,000 miles" and some riders have reported 18-22 year life.

The Spyder belt does not slip, so no sidewear and width lessening.

However, a Ryker belt may slip and heat is an enemy.

So, highly recommended to replace (or at least inspect) CVT filter more frequently than Can-Am recommends.

Mine was moderately dirty approaching 5,000 miles.

Certainly easy to inspect when oil level is checked.

New trans air filter 25 Sep 2020.jpg

Only 5 fasteners to remove. A 12" long 1/4" drive extension is handy for the bottom fastener (not in view in the photo)

And since H-D was already referenced for Spyder comparison, you may appreciate Sportster engine life, at least for an iron butt rider.
This is on a 2006, which was the last year of a carb (vs EFI) motor, third year of rubber motor mounts (heavier frame):

286000 miles.jpg

[SportsterDoc]

we have now 16.000 miles and still no problem with the (second) belt..

At what mileage do you plan to inspect/replace?

[RykerUSA]

Your first belt change at 11,000 miles was at 1.754 mm wear, based upon original belt at 38.5 mm.
If original belt width was as expected and your 1.44 (36.576 mm) measurement accurate, the average rate of wear was 0.159 mm per thousand miles.
With a factory spec of 3 mm wear, that left 1.2176 mm to use, if wear is consistent.
1.276/0.159 = 8 (thousand miles) wear remaining, if riding style remained the same and rate of wear remained the same.

If the above numbers are fully correct and based upon your riding style, 19,000 miles would be the most to be expected from your belt.

On that basis, life expectancy is probably 15K to 18K miles. Higher miles for more cruising and less burn-outs/hooligan riding/rapid acceleration around town.

That makes sense for Can-Am to conservatively recommend replacement at 12,000 miles to avoid issues on the road.

Be interesting for a Ryker rider willing to go 15-18K miles and then measure the belt width.

OK, here's an update. I just install my 2nd replacement belt at 23500 miles. My 1st replacement was at 11200 miles if I remember correctly. This time my used belt looked better than my 1st OEM Belt (when replaced) and this second used belt measured 1.5" when removed. This belt was a Gates G-Force C12 Carbon belt. No more replacing my belts at 11,000 to 13,000 miles. I'm doing 18,000 to 20,000 miles from now on. No worries.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

OK, here's an update. I just install my 2nd replacement belt at 23500 miles. My 1st replacement was at 11200 miles if I remember correctly. This time my used belt looked better than my 1st OEM Belt (when replaced) and this second used belt measured 1.5" . This belt was a Gates G-Force C12 Carbon belt. No more replacing my belts at 11,000 to 13,000 miles. I'm doing 18,000 to 20,000 miles from now on. No worries.

Thanks for the Gates belt info ..... I'm guessing that the GATES belt wasn't bought at Can-Am ...... Where ???? ..... Mike

[Tslepebull]

OK, here's an update. I just install my 2nd replacement belt at 23500 miles. My 1st replacement was at 11200 miles if I remember correctly. This time my used belt looked better than my 1st OEM Belt (when replaced) and this second used belt measured 1.5" . This belt was a Gates G-Force C12 Carbon belt. No more replacing my belts at 11,000 to 13,000 miles. I'm doing 18,000 to 20,000 miles from now on. No worries.

It would be great if someone did a video documentation of the process so that the DIY among us could benefit.

[cueman]

If you do your own cvt belt replacement, do you still have to get any dash resets from the dealerships?

[RykerUSA]

Yes, dealer must reset.

[RykerUSA]

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