Shaft drive vs. belt drive

[Guest Tomkrsv]

I just read through the Kawasaki Voyager thread. I saw several comments disparaging the belt drive. I don't understand the down side of a belt final drive?? I like shaft drive, but I've also owned a RoadStar with belt drive that I thought was just fine.

 

I'd like to know what I'm missing. What makes shaft drive superior to belt?

[Tartan Terror]

I just read through the Kawasaki Voyager thread. I saw several comments disparaging the belt drive. I don't understand the down side of a belt final drive?? I like shaft drive, but I've also owned a RoadStar with belt drive that I thought was just fine.

 

I'd like to know what I'm missing. What makes shaft drive superior to belt?

 

Nothing really makes them different. Only argument you can get is getting debris on the belt or maybe the belt breaking. Breaking is not likely as the belts are usually make of Kevlar or in the Voyagers case it is made of carbon fiber. Both extremly strong. As a matter of fact the Roadstar uses a drive belt so you cant say Yamaha is using a better design because they use both. Dont let the fact it uses a belt hold you back if you want it. We all know Yamaha missed a great opportunity here and will be sorry it did. Bet your not the only person looking hard at this bike!

[lonestarmedic]

My thoughts

 

Belt - periodic maintenance for tension

Shaft - essentially no maintenance except for spline lubing

Belt - light weight and simple. Transfers power better than shaft

Shaft - less prone to collecting road grime and debris.

Belt - axle shaft setup supports wheel differently

 

When belts first come on the scen, they were not reliable and fairly expensive. Now, with the modern materials I think they are as reliable as a shaft. One other item, it is a lot easier to change differential ratios!! I would not put the mechanics of the belt high on my list of considerations. I think it is possibly more of an aesthetic choice.

 

JB.

 

P.S. - Doggone right I am watching this scoot. I have the blue and the silver as screen backgrounds. If Yamaha doesn't do something near the same, I will pull the trigger on one of these in 2010.

[pegscraper]

I wouldn't be opposed to a belt drive. It loses less hp than a shaft drive. Shaft drive eats a lot of ponies.

 

I have a couple other gripes about the Kaw that I'm considering whether or not to voice.

[FreezyRider]

I wouldn't be opposed to a belt drive. It loses less hp than a shaft drive. Shaft drive eats a lot of ponies.

 

I have a couple other gripes about the Kaw that I'm considering whether or not to voice.

 

Well, spit it out!!!

I've never known you to be shy about saying what you think (and that's a Good thing!). I'm curious about your thoughts on this. Myself, I'm pretty taken with it. Of course, what we are seeing now is only a prototype. These buggers aren't supposed to make it to the dealer's floor until spring. A lot could change between now and then.

 

Joe

[Bummer]

In my case it's strictly taste buds. No great argument for or against, I just prefer shaft. Mostly I'm just very happy with what I have, so I'm not longing for something else.

 

I save most of my grumping for the whole air cooled v-twin part. I just don't want one until I have a stable of at least four other liquid cooled multis parked behind my Venture. Anybody spotted a flock of pigs? I keep hoping.

 

Nice enough bike, though. Not as pretty as the RSV, but quite adequate.

[Snarley Bill]

i was always anti belt drive, mainly cuz i figured it was kind of sissy motorbikish. i have had many chain drive, shaftdrive, and two belt drive bikes. i now have no problem with belt drive. it is the lowest maintenance of the three by far. my v-star 1300 has belt drive and in 6000 miles i haven't done a thing to it and the belt still looks like new and i have never had to adjust it. it is very clean and ultra reliable, as far as i can see. the only noticeable complaint is a slight howl when coming to a stop, had the same howl on my warrior. the other thing is when you do adjust it the alignment must be right on so it doesn't ride off to the side of the pulleys.

[Naked Rider]

you can also swap out rims with a belt drive

[BradT]

Read an article a couple years ago about belt drive breaking. The person replaced the original after many miles and then the new belt kept breaking in less than a third of the original. The answer to his problems was that the pulley needed to be changed as it was worn out as well.

 

Not sure if this is normal or how that would add up on the maintenance costs. Just thought I would mention it.

 

 

Brad

[flb_78]

I had an 03 Silverado. I broke 2 belts. I don't like em. They're noisy, pick up debris, Tire changes are a pain in the butt to get the alignment just right again. The adjustment changes when you add a passenger or heavy cargo.

 

I'll stick with shaft drive. A lot less maintenance.

[Squeeze]

I like the better Loss Ratio of a Belt. But on a Tourer with Power on the upper End and a Lot of Torque, i don't know .. ..

 

Theses Belt cannot handle a Lot of Power and Torque without getting wider and wider. The Kawi has a 28mm Belt, one and a quarter Inches. If you want to transfer twice the Forces, you need to tripple the Width of the Belt. That's awfull wide, even with Kevlar/Carbon Belts.

 

And these Parts all cost a big Chunk of Money. Pulley or Belt. Therefore, if you stay near the City and not doing serious Mileage on a mid powered Bike, a Belt isn't a bad Thing. Lots of Power/Torque and long Distances on lonely Roads, get the Tools, Parts and the Roadside Assistance Plan ready.

[AZSpyder]

I just sold a Suzuki S40 with a belt. The thing would get noisy, especially when cold. It took careful tension adjustment to minimize the noise but would still squeak at times. Belt lube about every 1000 miles helped.

There was the time our street was resurfaced with tar and a layer of rock. A tar coated rock stuck to the pulley causing me to have to stop right there and get it out. Good thing I was going real slow or may have lost the belt. Still ended up walking the bike home. Never would try a dirt road after that.

There were the warnings about shocking the belt in the owners manual. Said to shorten life. To be easy on the belt I never did launch the bike hard. Always wonder what the little torque monster would have done. I think the bike could have used a bit taller gearing. Couldn't find a different pulley on the market. Would have been a good bike with a chain. Glad I sold it before the belt needed to be replaced.

Jerry