Driving on dirt road

[saber504]

I have a 2014 ST. To reach our cabin in the woods, I have to drive a mile on a dirt and fine gravel road. I go about 15 mph on this road.

Is this a problem for my spyder's belt drive? If so anything I can do to minimize the problem? How do I check for a problem? Does a stone get stuck in the sprocket?

 

[Yazz]

Install SpyderPops 'Missing Belt Guard.'

http://spyderpops.com/st-sts-st-limited/new-category-4/

 

[Chupaca]

Let's see....

Spyderpops, a sponsor here, has some additional guards you can install. Checking your belt and sproket is a good idea small gravel can get stuck in the splines and should be removed. :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Install SpyderPops 'Missing Belt Guard.'

http://spyderpops.com/st-sts-st-limited/new-category-4/

:agree:
Beyond this: it's all about how your ride that, "last mile"
slow and easy... :thumbup:

 

[Rob Rodriguez]

I live about 1 1/2 miles down a dirt road and have ridden my Spyder (stock with no additional guards) down lots of dirt roads. I've never had an issue (knock on wood) with stones/dirt and the belt. I typically drive 25-35 MPH unless the road has been freshly graded.

I think a lot of people are needlessly paranoid about dirt roads and their Spyder.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree:, but there's really not a lot wrong with being cautious... :thumbup:

 

[murphybrown]

Spyderpops rock/gravel guard

I have a 2014 ST. To reach our cabin in the woods, I have to drive a mile on a dirt and fine gravel road. I go about 15 mph on this road.

Is this a problem for my spyder's belt drive? If so anything I can do to minimize the problem? How do I check for a problem? Does a stone get stuck in the sprocket?

I live on similar road as you describe. I have always had the Spyderpops gravel guard with no issue. At this point do not have on my F3....Harvey needs to "tweak" the design for the F3. :yikes:

 

[Bob Denman]

I've heard that he's hard at work; inside the secret laboratory...

 

[ARtraveler]

When in doubt, install a Spyderpops belt guard.

Keeping it slow so that you do not kick up rocks is part of the secret.

My experiences:

:ani29:: Went down a 1/2 mile gravel road to check out a campground. Picked up a rock that I did not notice at once. Needed a new drive belt, $280 plus installation. About $350

:ani29:: Tried to back out of my gravel driveway (pre season) and drive was "soft." Got stuck, and gunned the engine. Dug a hole, ate a bunch of rocks, drive belt instantly broke. $280 for belt, plus tow, plus installation. About $500

I am almost $1K into drive belts, and tend to avoid riding on gravel, or dirt roads as much as possible. :thumbup:

 

[JoeCPA]

When in doubt, install a Spyderpops belt guard.

Keeping it slow so that you do not kick up rocks is part of the secret.

My experiences:

:ani29:: Went down a 1/2 mile gravel road to check out a campground. Picked up a rock that I did not notice at once. Needed a new drive belt, $280 plus installation. About $350

:ani29:: Tried to back out of my gravel driveway (pre season) and drive was "soft." Got stuck, and gunned the engine. Dug a hole, ate a bunch of rocks, drive belt instantly broke. $280 for belt, plus tow, plus installation. About $500

I am almost $1K into drive belts, and tend to avoid riding on gravel, or dirt roads as much as possible. :thumbup:

Have you installed the Spyderpops guard now? If so how did it work out for you?

 

[happyspyder2039]

I have a 2014 ST. To reach our cabin in the woods, I have to drive a mile on a dirt and fine gravel road. I go about 15 mph on this road.

Is this a problem for my spyder's belt drive? If so anything I can do to minimize the problem? How do I check for a problem? Does a stone get stuck in the sprocket?

I did the same thing once with plain stock spyder. Going in was fine with nice sunny weather. Then it started raining during the stay. Roads were a muddy mess. I had no choice leaving & went slow. Trailer that was white ended up brown & leaked inside. had issues with front brakes with the mud. Spent afternoon at car wash cleaning both spyder & trailer/carpeting-NOT fun. Only reason I did was only transportation- Car was in shop for rear end damage from some idiot not paying attention. SO THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU DO IT!

 

[ARtraveler]

Have you installed the Spyderpops guard now? If so how did it work out for you?

No guard yet. I really, really, try to stay off any gravel or dirt roads.

 

[ruralgirl]

This was a concern of mine as a newbie a few months ago because I live 1.5 miles from the nearest pavement. Our dirt roads range from quicksand to endless pot holes to solid gravel after being graded. Everyone in here recommended the missing belt guard, and I heeded their advice. I still ride slowly, but my peace of mind is better now. My next upgrade will be a better skid plate because of my roads.

 

[ARtraveler]

This was a concern of mine as a newbie a few months ago because I live 1.5 miles from the nearest pavement. Our dirt roads range from quicksand to endless pot holes to solid gravel after being graded. Everyone in here recommended the missing belt guard, and I heeded their advice. I still ride slowly, but my piece of mind is better now. My next upgrade will be a better skid plate because of my roads.

It sounds like you did the right thing. I would too if I had that much dirt/gravel road each day. Sooner or later, it will get ya.

A great skid plate is the Spyderpops bump skid. I have the LED lighted version. Great for visibility and have seen a thread recently describing how beat up the skid plate is after a year. Glad its the skid plate and not the :spyder2: taking the punishment. :yes:

 

[jerpinoy]

A lot of experienced member are sounding off so heed and you'll never regret.

 

[ruralgirl]

It sounds like you did the right thing. I would too if I had that much dirt/gravel road each day. Sooner or later, it will get ya.

A great skid plate is the Spyderpops bump skid. I have the LED lighted version. Great for visibility and have seen a thread recently describing how beat up the skid plate is after a year. Glad its the skid plate and not the :spyder2: taking the punishment. :yes:

Yup, it'll be the Spyderpops bump skid (my brain was running on empty at 1am or I would've specified). And I too saw that pic in here of a chewed up EOM skid plate that the poster said had seen nothing but smooth pavement.

The reason I haven't gotten it yet, however, is because I've also read in here that it slightly decreases our ground clearance, of which I can't afford to lose one mm.

 

[happyspyder2039]

Yup, it'll be the Spyderpops bump skid (my brain was running on empty at 1am or I would've specified). And I too saw that pic in here of a chewed up EOM skid plate that the poster said had seen nothing but smooth pavement.

The reason I haven't gotten it yet, however, is because I've also read in here that it slightly decreases our ground clearance, of which I can't afford to lose one mm.

bumpskid was useful on my 12RT-S as it was lower & would scrap just about everything-potholes, dips,speed bumps until i put elka shocks on then no more. I don't see a need on 2015 rt-s because it has not seen a single scrape except dead center under foot pegs from a speed bump high center.