Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Thanks to your earlier responses I've decided that chain drive just isn't for me at this point (rather focus on trying to ride, right now). I've gotten signed up for the riders course (starting April 21st ) and trying to narrow down my bike choices. (Sure to seem to be a lot of bikes out there). I think I will probably go with a 750 or lower cruiser but standing firm on 1000cc max. Many have shaft, some have belts, but at least I've weeded out the chain. So does belt drive have any advantages over shaft drive, any disadvantages?

Thanks for your help,

Coffee

If you get a rock between the belt and rear "sprocket" it could shred the belt.

The shaft drive is more durable, but is heavier.

I've heard "runors" that the shaft drive takes a few horsepower, but I cannot verify it.

Not so's you'd really notice. My Seca has plenty of snap.

Do you have to regularly adjust the tension on a belt like you do with a chain?

What's wrong with a chain?
My first bike (current one) has a chain. Only had it two weeks, but so far so good!
Ya, it will need to be lubed every so often but that's no different than my bicycles...

My bike has a chain. Once every two weeks I go out and spray it with lube. No biggie really.

If I had the cash and the desire to purchase a new bike I would go with the shaft drive.

No tension adjustment needed on a belt. Get it checked at your regular service intervals and you should be fine.

I know of an f650 rider who has put 20K miles on a belt with a hole punched through it (the hole has not changed in shape or size). Another rider JUST replaced a belt that had 90K miles on it.

That Leeeetle bit of 'flex' inherent in a belt reduces wear on all the 'hard parts' of your engine. Ensuring that the belt tension is adjusted CORRECTLY in the first place is paramount. If it is too tight then the belt will self-destruct from the stress... too loose and it may slip off or the teeth will get broken off by the sprockets from excessive movement.

Worries about the belt getting 'shredded' by road debris is ALMOST groundless. Be careful on gritty/gravel surfaces and have a look at the belt regularly for damage.

P

Cannot give comment on belt but I've heard to be low maintenance. The shaft on My V-Star is pretty good, very low service require unless one taked the wheel off. The thing is limited on wheel selection if one'd think to replace with a new different kind of rim and also took away some of horses but no biggie for me.

I don't think you should worry too much about the chain vs. belt vs. shaft. Just find the bike you like and then go with it. I was all worried about chain maintenance when I got my bike ad it dosn't really seem to be all that big of a deal. My bike has a belt but most of the people that I have talked to with chains don't seem to mind all that much. I have heard about there being problems with the bike wanting to torque to one side or something with a shaft but I don't really think that's too big of a problem either.

I do like the belt drive on my bike and since your not going to be riding the latest superbike to it's limits your not going notice anything missing in terms of power with the belt.

BTW, 1000 cc even if it's a crusier is way too much if this is your first bike. Get a 650 cc bike.

Shaft is great, with the low maintenance. Id go with chain after that, before the belt, but that is just the way I would go.