[Putt-Putt]

Does any one know why they don't enclose the Belt Drive?? Was just thinking that if it was protected from Sand & or Gravel; Belt & Sprocket life would be increased. As we have NO control over road conditions. From road construction to living on a Dirt road. I don't see why it couldn't be done. Any comments?? Please stick to the topic. THANKS

[Tarantula]

 Putt-Putt, on Mar 14 2008, 02:59 PM, said:

Does any one know why they don't enclose the Belt Drive?? Was just thinking that if it was protected from Sand & or Gravel; Belt & Sprocket life woud be increased. As we have NO control over road conditions. From road construction to living on a Dirt road. I don't see why it couldn't be done. Any comments?? Please stick to the topic. THANKS

Can Am (BRP) probably took for granted that most Spyder Owners would be driving on the street. Almost all motorcycles don't have an enclosed chain drive or belt drive. Its like....would you ever drive your harley thru a dirt road? Most people wouldn't just like most people would never drive their Spyder thru a dirt road. I know I wouldn't. I won't even drive mine in the rain. I feel bad for you if you live off of a dirt road, as I would be worried too.

[Putt-Putt]

Gee nobody have any more comments on this? I thought more people who tour would be interested. I know way more than once I found myself on a gravel road I didn't plan on to get to my destination.

[Director]

 Putt-Putt, on Mar 16 2008, 09:18 AM, said:

Gee nobody have any more comments on this? I thought more people who tour would be interested. I know way more than once I found myself on a gravel road I didn't plan on to get to my destination.

I wouldn't get too worked up about it. If I lived on a dirt or gravel road, I would just make sure I washed the Spyder frequently and changed the oil a little sooner. While touring, I try to stay on pavement, but every once in a while you will find yourself on a less than desirable surface. Even road construction can go on for miles, so you just have to deal with it.
Cheers,
Bruce

[hostile camper]

i know enclosed atv belts are subject to heat. maybe that is there toughts on the spyder.

 Director, on Mar 16 2008, 06:27 PM, said:

I wouldn't get too worked up about it. If I lived on a dirt or gravel road, I would just make sure I washed the Spyder frequently and changed the oil a little sooner. While touring, I try to stay on pavement, but every once in a while you will find yourself on a less than desirable surface. Even road construction can go on for miles, so you just have to deal with it.
Cheers,
Bruce

[Putt-Putt]

Ya but on a atv the belt is the primary belt whitch connects the engine to the tranny. Thats why it needs venting to cool. The final drive belt does not have this problem. Thanks for the thought though..

[TharkunRT]

I see the drive belt as being no different than any other bike that has one. They have been around for as long as I remember and I don't recall seeing any that are fully enclosed.

[Putt-Putt]

I know of 3 Harley riders that live on dirt roads. And they have had to replace thier belts and at OVER $700 a pop; I believe that is with out having to replace the sprockets. What happens is a little stone gets between the sprocket & the belt. This imbeds the stone in the belt eventually putting a hole in the belt; and sand will promote premature wear of both belt & sprocket. A lot of Northern States use sand & gravel instead of salt on snow & ice covered roads. Whitch is still on the roads for a good part of the Spring season. There is no difference in any belt drive system. But the Spyder with two front wheels more than likely will kick up more sand ; gravel. Splaying it out in a ^ angle right towards the rear wheel. Just my thoughts.

[doctor]

 Putt-Putt, on Mar 18 2008, 07:29 AM, said:

I know of 3 Harley riders that live on dirt roads. And they have had to replace thier belts and at OVER $700 a pop; I believe that is with out having to replace the sprockets. What happens is a little stone gets between the sprocket & the belt. This imbeds the stone in the belt eventually putting a hole in the belt; and sand will promote premature wear of both belt & sprocket. A lot of Northern States use sand & gravel instead of salt on snow & ice covered roads. Whitch is still on the roads for a good part of the Spring season. There is no difference in any belt drive system. But the Spyder with two front wheels more than likely will kick up more sand ; gravel. Splaying it out in a ^ angle right towards the rear wheel. Just my thoughts.

You guys worry too darn much.

[B1TTEN #509]

 doctor, on Mar 18 2008, 01:51 PM, said:

You guys worry too darn much.

Agree. buy a quad if your so worried about the dirt. BRP can hook you up there as well.

[Putt-Putt]

 B1TTEN #509, on Mar 18 2008, 09:23 AM, said:

Agree. buy a quad if your so worried about the dirt. BRP can hook you up there as well.

Allready got two Quads one is an 800 Outlander.

[Way2Fast]

The front wheels on the Spyder are not in line with the rear wheel and belt as is the case with a normal motorcycle. The Spyder also has fenders that totally cover the front wheels and do a good job of preventing dirt or sand from kicking up. I would think there would be less of a potential problem with belt contamination than on a 2 wheel motorcycle.


Richard

[Putt-Putt]

What I was trying to explain was that like a boat creats a V shape wake. to an extent the tires tend to do the same. With the inside of each front tire making a reverse of the boat wake. Ever have your windshield on your car broke from a stone from another car either going the same way you are going. Or even one going the other way towards you. I'm not trying to be a wise guy but they have fenders on cars too.

The POINT of this thread was simiply for a possible improvement whitch would promote Longer belt life. Due to Road conditions you have no control over. And thought maybe even someone might have some ideas on it. So Please don't read anything else in to it. I thought my first post stated that and nothing more.

[ProviderEx]

well seeing as MAJORITY rule. and you seem to be the only one remotely concerned with this, I doubt BRP will spend hundreds of thousands to prevent ONE belt from popping. Hell maybe that is why BRP says NO DRIVING ON DIRT ROADS. maybe they say that to cover their own rear in the case of that one guy busting his belt because HE CHOSE TO DRIVE ON GRAVEL

also the spyder is very well guarded, look under it and you will see, what you are talking about is next to impossible to achieve.

in fact i will use DIRT BIKES as an example. although they are chain driven they do not have full covers on their sprockets.

[Putt-Putt]

You are NOT reading all of what I said in my post. I REPEAT sometimes you don't have a choice as to road conditions such as CONSTRUCTION. Do you have someting against technical advansment. Hell son I was riding street motorcycles & moto X before you were born. I have several hundred thousand miles of riding bikes experience behind me. Started in 1957. I've over 25 yrs. of Drag racing experience. I put over 6,000 miles on (1) trip last year alone. Does that make me know more than you? Not necessarly. Just experience, How would you like to brake down say in the middle of a-- desert --105 degrees out -- a 100 miles from nowhere-- cell phone no service. The state of Montana whitch I went through last summer basically No cell phone reception at all as an example. So you can't count on that. If you just ride around town no problem, help if you need it is just a call or walk away.
But I plan on touring & going where ever I want. So what is wrong with something that could be made more reliable? With thinking like that; that is exactly what put Honda & Toyota ahead of Chey-Ford & Dodge. Same old technology where did it get them. And please don't say take a car then.

[Danimal]

So carry an extra belt. I plan to.
I'm not sure if I agree that the offset wheels help keep dirt and oil from the rear drivetrain.

One thing that is different than a 2 wheeler - you're back tire is going to be in the center of the lane - where all the oil from cars is.

I see the kids riding crotch rockets today and how they are in the center of the lane at stoplights - picking up all that nice oil - not a wise thing to do.

[Way2Fast]

 Danimal, on Mar 19 2008, 03:27 AM, said:

So carry an extra belt. I plan to.
I'm not sure if I agree that the offset wheels help keep dirt and oil from the rear drivetrain.

One thing that is different than a 2 wheeler - you're back tire is going to be in the center of the lane - where all the oil from cars is.

I see the kids riding crotch rockets today and how they are in the center of the lane at stoplights - picking up all that nice oil - not a wise thing to do.

If you plan to carry a spare belt you might also consider carrying a jack and a complete tool box...changing a belt is more involved than replacing a chain. There are no removable links to simplify replacement

Agreed...the rear wheel is located on the center of the road where all the crap can be found, but I can't see how the rear wheel could possibly throw up anything that could get on the belt. The belt is ahead of the "fly off" zone from the rear wheel.

[Gary]

the open belt is a problem ,and i agree with you about the air wave wake . a belt gard will help. don't inclose it compleatly just top & bottom between the pullys like harly does. also I DO RIDE MY HARLEY ON DIRT.. Been doing for around 45years.

[Putt-Putt]

Just a question and HOW maney years has Harley had a Belt Drive? Let see that would make it 1962--45 years ago. I don't quite think so.

[Gary]

not the belt drive the motorcycle.