How worried do I need to be?

[Habib]

The F3S is the first bike I've ever had that used a fiber 'chain' not metal. I am comfortable driving on gravel and have done a lot of it, and my driveway is 1/4 of packed but not tight gravel. How worried do I need to be about kicked up stuff ruining my drive belt? I would like to do some slow cruising to places on gravel roads but worry about belt problems. Anyone have input on this?

 

[billybovine]

Can gravel damage your belt? Yes. How likely is it going to happen? Not likely. I probably put on close to a 1,000 miles a year on gravel and never had a problem. Now what you really need to look out for is freshly laid tar and chip. That's gravel with glue applied to stick to your pulleys. So do all you can to avoid that. Turn around and go another way.

 

[ARtraveler]

The Spyderpops belt guard is good if you are worried about picking up the stray rock. Also, keep the speed down and you are less likely to pick up stray rocks/gravel.

 

[Bfromla]

Gravel can damage more than the belt:lecturef_smilie:, can chip the sprockets too & will eat every belt there after till you fix that. Belt guards & avoiding if you can. When you cant keep it slow (good on gravel in any vehicle)& do inspections soon after :thumbup:

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Signed

The Gravel

 

[Habib]

So I guess there will be no power sliding around corners then? :cus:

 

[Bob Denman]

If you just make an effort to leave the gravel where it was, when you ran over it: you'll be fine! :2thumbs:

In the meantime:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

The Spyderpops belt guard is good if you are worried about picking up the stray rock. Also, keep the speed down and you are less likely to pick up stray rocks/gravel.

If you just make an effort to leave the gravel where it was, when you ran over it: you'll be fine! :2thumbs:

In the meantime:

View attachment 135747

:agree::agree:

So I guess there will be no power sliding around corners then? :cus:

Of course you can. But you might want to price out a replace drive-belt to keep on hand.

 

[PistonBlown]

Can gravel damage your belt? Yes. How likely is it going to happen? Not likely. I probably put on close to a 1,000 miles a year on gravel and never had a problem. Now what you really need to look out for is freshly laid tar and chip. That's gravel with glue applied to stick to your pulleys. So do all you can to avoid that. Turn around and go another way.

Yes agree with that. Fresh, still hot, tar is what did my belt in and for the other three riders I know who have had to replace theirs. I am still finding little bits of tar covered stone stuck to the Spyder in the oddest of places 18 months later.

 

[Navvet]

Can gravel damage your belt? Yes. How likely is it going to happen? Not likely. I probably put on close to a 1,000 miles a year on gravel and never had a problem. Now what you really need to look out for is freshly laid tar and chip. That's gravel with glue applied to stick to your pulleys. So do all you can to avoid that. Turn around and go another way.

I have lived at the back-end of a mile and a half, one lane, rugged gravel road for close to 20 years now. I have rode and driven almost everything imaginable up and down it (including a Cat D6 Dozer ... FUN)

I also maintain the road and all of my own vehicles.

As "Billy" said, go slow, don't let your tires spin and don't try to kick up any gravel and you will be fine.

That advice goes for all vehicles on gravel. People complain about bumps and ruts in gravel without realizing they are putting them there by letting their wheels spin.

 

[Chupaca]

Here's the thing....

You worry too much Habib...:roflblack: but if you must this would be one to worry about. Well not really more like be aware and add to the check list. Like billybovine stated there is one to be especially careful with and it is not only off the path they use the stuff to patch holes in the highways as well. I do check the pulleys after traveling on recently paved, patched, or dirt roads...sometimes I do find stuff...

gets packed in there luckily no chips or rocks etc....:thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree::agree:



Of course you can. But you might want to price out a replace drive-belt to keep on hand.

$350 installed. I have replaced two. The tow was extra.

 

[reissooz]

Is there a belt guard for the F3? I wondered about that a while ago and have not seen one described here for the F3 specifically.

 

[Habib]

You worry too much Habib...:roflblack: but if you must this would be one to worry about. Well not really more like be aware and add to the check list. Like billybovine stated there is one to be especially careful with and it is not only off the path they use the stuff to patch holes in the highways as well. I do check the pulleys after traveling on recently paved, patched, or dirt roads...sometimes I do find stuff...

View attachment 135757 gets packed in there luckily no chips or rocks etc....:thumbup:

:agree:
But never owning a :spyder2:I want to get as many trouble free miles as I can. I'll take it careful on gravel and just go :riding:. Someday I'll know all this stuff and be able pass it on. Thanks and :cheers::cheers: to ya.

 

[Chupaca]

Relax...

:agree:
But never owning a :spyder2:I want to get as many trouble free miles as I can. I'll take it careful on gravel and just go :riding:. Someday I'll know all this stuff and be able pass it on. Thanks and :cheers::cheers: to ya.

You will have many a trouble free mile on your F3. Relax and enjoy the ryde and try not to worry to much. Tough to do if you hang out here but the hard core ones have learned that what you see here is not all but only some....:lecturef_smilie:hyea:hyea: