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Active Member
Drive belt and gravel roads.
Is it Verboten to operate the Spyder on typical gravel roads that one encounters on occasion, such as in Rural areas or even detours? My driveway alone is over 400 feet of packed gravel from the road to my hobby barn and I'm concerned!
Answers will be appreciated.
Thanks.
Sam
2021 Spyder RT ES6 PETROL metallic. Carthage, Missouri 64836
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Active Member
I'm on 1/2 mile of gravel road and have not had any problems. I do take it pretty slow. I've heard if its really loose gravel and you're in a hurry, it could cause some serious problems if you throw a nice rock up in the belt.. I think taking it slow and easy and you're fine..
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Active Member
I have a belt guard made by Spyder Pops. I installed it after a small rock ruined the belt. Look on the homepage for Spyder Pops to find the guard. It is easy to install.
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Very Active Member
Less than 10 mph should do it. 1/4 mi rock drive way with 14 RS-S.
If I can't fix it, I will fix it so no one can fix it. Sypder Loco!
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Very Active Member
Belt guard and slow. Not a guarantee of never having a rock get in the belt, but will minimize the chances. Besides, there are no guarantees in life other than it will end some day!
2014 Copper RTS
Tri-Axis bars, CB, BajaRon sway bar & shock adjusters, SpyderPop's Bumpskid, NBV peg brackets, LED headlights and modulator, Wolo trumpet air horns, trailer hitch, custom trailer harness, high mount turn signals, Custom Dynamics brake light, LED turn signal lights on mirrors, LED strip light for a dash light, garage door opener, LED lights in frunk, trunk, and saddlebags, RAM mounts and cradles for tablet (for GPS) and phone (for music), and Smooth Spyder belt tensioner.
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New tires are prone to catch and throw more stones than older tires. Not much help if you are riding on good rubber.
Life is full of chances, so is owning a spyder. Do a search about the group that traveled to Alaska and back this past July. From my reading of there daily reports they encountered miles of horrable road conditions and all the Spyders preformed well, including the belt drive system. Gosh, I would have loved to make that trip!
Just my thoughts, nothing more.
Last edited by Frank G; 11-03-2015 at 04:41 AM.
Reason: Added stuff
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Very Active Member
Agree..!!
avoid them when possible but when on them take it slow. If you can get the guards from spyderpops and check your belt a bit move often...
Gene and Ilana De Laney
Mt. Helix, California
2012 RS sm5
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
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I have 3 miles of dirt/gravel road to ride from my house to the paved road. So far.......no problem. Like the others, I go slow and watch ahead for potential problems. No big deal....you get used to it.
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SpyderLovers Sponsor
I live on a gravel driveway. Never had a problem. You can pick up a rock anywhere, and some have. The rock guard helps but there are still no guarantees. As others have said, keep the speed down, don't spin the rear tire, and your chances of getting a rock from a gravel driveway are about the same as getting one off the pavement.
Shop Ph: 423-609-7588 (M-F, 8-5, Eastern Time)
Only SLOW people have to leave on time...
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Active Member
Thanks Folks for the replies! I was concerned enough that I was going to investigate a chain drive conversion. I believe I saw one on a Spyder on YouTube once??
I've had 3 Harleys and 2 had belt drive and never any problems with the belts whatsoever, only requiring adjustments every 25,000 miles or so.
Just for the fun of it, what does a belt cost and is it easily replaced? What does a Dealer typically get to replace one?
Sam
2021 Spyder RT ES6 PETROL metallic. Carthage, Missouri 64836
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Very Active Member
There are 18,500 members of Syderlovers. Out of that I would guess that 5,000 or 6,000 are active and would report if they had a stone damage their belt. Out of that number I don't think there are more than 4 a year that actually do report a problem. So IMHO not really a problem.
2018 F3 LIMITED
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2012 Spyder RT-S SE5 Blue
Can Am: Floorboards, Tri-Axis handlebars, Comfort Seat, Front/Side/Rear cargo travel bags
Vendors: Air Hawk2 seat air cushion, Adjustable Side Window Deflectors, slip-on grip covers, RAM GPS mount & a short RAM socket arm... with a bicycle handlebar bell mounted to it - a carryover from my 2-wheeling days, it was great for getting your ridng buddy's attention when stopped at a traffic light
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Invalid Emails
Live on gravel road
Originally Posted by Rocketman 2012
Is it Verboten to operate the Spyder on typical gravel roads that one encounters on occasion, such as in Rural areas or even detours? My driveway alone is over 400 feet of packed gravel from the road to my hobby barn and I'm concerned!
Answers will be appreciated.
Thanks.
Sam
I added the Spyderpops Gravel Guard to my '10 RT and also to my '14 RTS...I have traveled over 100k miles on Spyder...so there has been many trips in and out of my location plus traveled many gravel roads; in July in Alaska ...one stretch was 300 miles....have never had an issue. so I highly recommend buying a Gravel Guard .
My Motto Is:
Live my life in such a way that when my feet hit the floor in the morning...Satan shudders & says "Oh, crap, SHE'S awake!"
Red Stallion: 2016 F3t SE6 (from Pitbull PowerSports/ Springfield, MO)
White Knight: 2014 RTS SE6 and matching 622 trailer (from Pitbull
PowerSports/ Springfield, MO)
Ms Spydee: 2010 RT SE5
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You are not alone--
We live in rural, Kansas--and sadly we have 1.5 miles on gravel to get to pavement to ride our Spyder.
We have a SPYDERPOPS Missing Rock Guard on our 2012 Spyder RTS-SE5 and it really helps but you still hear rocks being picked up by tires. So we only go 15 to 20 mph at most from our barn out to paved roads. Hate it but it's the way it is.
2015 RT-Limited SE6-TricLED Fender LED's (Red and Amber), 3rd LED Brake Light/Tail Light, ISCI Handbrake with black small hands handle,Spyderpops Rock Guard. ,Can-Am Adjustable Wing Vents, Bumpskid, Bajaron's Sway-Bar with metal Heim Joints. Elkas Stage 2 Plus., TricLED Wide-VU Mirrors, TricLED Jumper Port, Laser Aligned!
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Active Member
Several of us got stuck driving on about a 5 mile stretch of fresh gravel and oil road this summer. Due to the heavy traffic we were going about 30 mph or so. I could hear several rocks making terrible noises as I drove. Even had to go by the hot oil rig as it was laying down the fresh stuff. Only 2 of us ended up with rock holes in our belts and several spots that showed a rock had been under the belt. My belt is showing wear along the inside edge where it meets the metal as it goes around. Been on other gravel roads without the fresh oil and no issues from those times. Now I am keeping an eye on the belt and thinking will have it replaced next summer before any long trips. For now will wait and see. I can't hear any noises while riding but my wife can hear a squealing noise that she says is loud as I approach our driveway when she is outside watching my approach. Not sure what that would be except maybe the belt.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Rocketman 2012
Thanks Folks for the replies! I was concerned enough that I was going to investigate a chain drive conversion. I believe I saw one on a Spyder on YouTube once??
I've had 3 Harleys and 2 had belt drive and never any problems with the belts whatsoever, only requiring adjustments every 25,000 miles or so.
Just for the fun of it, what does a belt cost and is it easily replaced? What does a Dealer typically get to replace one?
Sam
New belt about $250. Another $100 or so for install labor. I have replaced two.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)
MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles
IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
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Riding a stock 2012 RS. I live 1 mile off the pavement and have ridden many miles of "dirt" roads in my travels (Google doesn't always pick paved roads). I do tend to drive slower on the dirt roads but doing 35-40 mph happens quite often.
I've never had an issue with rocks and my belt.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by akspyderman
New belt about $250. Another $100 or so for install labor. I have replaced two.
for a belt that probably costs 10 bucks to make. Like everyone else said just take it slow on the driveway and you will be fine. Can i have a google map image from anyone that has to drive more than 2 miles from their house to the nearest paved road?
Tony From Los Angeles
Current
2015 Spyder RT
2012 Yamaha FZ6R
Previous
2008 Premier GS #588
2005 Suzuki C50
2007 Susuki S40
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Active Member
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Originally Posted by Rocketman 2012
Thanks Folks for the replies! I was concerned enough that I was going to investigate a chain drive conversion. I believe I saw one on a Spyder on YouTube once??I've had 3 Harleys and 2 had belt drive and never any problems with the belts whatsoever, only requiring adjustments every 25,000 miles or so.Just for the fun of it, what does a belt cost and is it easily replaced? What does a Dealer typically get to replace one?Sam
belt is an easy replacement you don't have to pull the swingarm like a Harley
2 happy happy spyders
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WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
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I have 1.5 miles to the nearest "paved" road.
Yes I have caught a couple of rocks in the belt and it makes a
loud popping sound. I just check the belt often to make sure it is
still intact
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Registered Users
I have a good 4 miles of gravel road to get to the Trans Canada Hwy and another 1/2 mile once I'm at work. Not had a problem yet. If I do the Spyder would have to go as its no use if I can't ride to work.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by FieldTester
Hey Tony, 1.1 miles of gravel road from my home on top of Brock Mtn (its on Google) to the only paved road off of it. My wife and I both have STL's and have just purchased the "missing gravel guard" for $35. each. It is good and cheap insurance item since I would rather be riding without the worry about my speed when I come and go (our 4 combined miles).
I came off the HD to alleviate stress !
i looked up brock mountain NY and there is nothing there, not even a farm. Are you in downsville? its hard for me to understand all you guys having miles of gravel road to travel. I live in socal so i have to go 30 miles + to even find a gravel road
Tony From Los Angeles
Current
2015 Spyder RT
2012 Yamaha FZ6R
Previous
2008 Premier GS #588
2005 Suzuki C50
2007 Susuki S40
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