Belt Replacement - Anyone Else?

[Spyder4Tess]

Harley Davidson has been using HTD (High Torque Drive ) belts for years without the need for guards etc.

Most of the touring models do have a lower guard.They still pick up rocks on dirt/gravel roads.

 

[gmctech]

So, a few weeks back, I was having issues on my way to work with my 2009 GS Spyder - It seemed to be bucking on my way down the road.

Couldn't for the life of me figure out why until i got to work, only to see that the teeth on the belt were being RIPPED OFF! As you can see in this picture - it was REALLY serious! Only thing i can think is that it has something to do with the coolant leak I had earlier this year - perhaps the coolant leaked onto the belt and ate away at it?

View attachment 80179

I took it to the shop ASAP - they had never seen this before - and talking to the surrounding 4 shops, NONE of them had ever had to replace a belt before (note I've only got 25k miles on this bike!) - so $300 for a belt, and $300 for labor got me back to this

View attachment 80180

So anyone else have this happen before?

$300 LABOUR TO CHANGE A BELT????l holy crap! I just did my friends new belt this morning on his 2015 RT Limited.... start to finish, tools out, adjustment and test ride down the street and back, all fasteners torqued, tools away, 28 minutes.... actual belt replacement to the point of all back together and belt tensioned was 17 minutes... 5 bolts, axle and trailer hitch removal... I don't unbolt the caliper... just undo everything and roll the tire out of the caliper and it will slide right out and hang on the mounting stud.

 

[wd8ajj]

Just wondering, but looking at most of these posts were pre 2014 Spyders with the 990 engine. I have not heard of problems with the 1330 engine belts. I have 15K on my 2014 RT with a stone guard and the belt look like new. I also pull a camping trailer. Wonder if there is a big difference in composites between the 2 models and are the newer belts holding up better.
Just an insite

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

$300 LABOUR TO CHANGE A BELT????l holy crap! I just did my friends new belt this morning on his 2015 RT Limited.... start to finish, tools out, adjustment and test ride down the street and back, all fasteners torqued, tools away, 28 minutes.... actual belt replacement to the point of all back together and belt tensioned was 17 minutes... 5 bolts, axle and trailer hitch removal... I don't unbolt the caliper... just undo everything and roll the tire out of the caliper and it will slide right out and hang on the mounting stud.

Did you notice you are responding to a post that is nearly 5 years old! DarkSage has posted only twice since the one you're responding to, and those were in 2016. Your post here is probably a fruitless use of bits and bytes!! :gaah:

 

[PW2013STL]

Just wondering, but looking at most of these posts were pre 2014 Spyders with the 990 engine. I have not heard of problems with the 1330 engine belts. I have 15K on my 2014 RT with a stone guard and the belt look like new. I also pull a camping trailer. Wonder if there is a big difference in composites between the 2 models and are the newer belts holding up better.
Just an insite

Wish this was true! I have not had to replace a belt yet, but two of my friends have, and both of their bikes are 1330 RT's.

 

[Road-Kill]

Belt Life?

What is BRPs belt life?
My belt is over 27,000 miles and looks new.
I ride over gravel from time to time and nada on any damage.
This is a big nothing burger because its failure is both visible for inspection and when it fails it will not leave you stranded.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

What is BRPs belt life?
My belt is over 27,000 miles and looks new.
I ride over gravel from time to time and nada on any damage.
This is a big nothing burger because its failure is both visible for inspection and when it fails it will not leave you stranded.

IIRC, the only failures reported here due to life have been well over 100k miles.

 

[gmctech]

Did you notice you are responding to a post that is nearly 5 years old! DarkSage has posted only twice since the one you're responding to, and those were in 2016. Your post here is probably a fruitless use of bits and bytes!! :gaah:

Thanks captain obvious.... :shocked: did notice and why do people have this insatiable need to state the obvious. ....geesh......