| Author | Message | ||
     Cityxslicker |
Ok I am on a XB9SX, but I am riding it on the fire roads and county access roads every chance I get. This is up on the Uly post because I ride it more like a Uly than a City-x. So what kind of mileage are you all getting on your belts? I popped my first one this morning with 8200 miles on the bike (six months of riding through winter mud and muck  ) Is this typical? Thanks | ||
| Ulendo |
I'm just over 16,00km ( 10k miles) on mine, similar riding, no issues, and the belt still looks in good shape. do you loft the front wheel much? | ||
| Froggy |
I saw this coming! | ||
| Hootis29 |
15216 very hard miles, plus a couple of jumps on my way home every few days. Hoping the new one last longer with a little more normal use. I carry a spare on longer trips, I can change it now in about 20 min. | ||
| Debueller |
1st belt: 7700 miles 2nd belt: 13,000 miles 3rd belt 31,000 miles I am now running on my 4th drive belt.I really want to like the belt drive, but repeated failures are not making a good case for me. I also had little or no warning each time. If you keep riding your bike like I think you do (CityXslicker) get used to belt failures. 3 failures on my bike is not counisdense. I now carry a spare on long out-of-state trips. It's a PIA. But I like the bike so much I'll continue to deal with it. BTW, my dealer (Dtwn H/D-Buell of Tukwilla) has never questioned me.....they have done extensive, repeated warranty work on mine without even a raised eyebrow. See my post on this thread for the latest carnige: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/268679.html?1175618071 (Message edited by debueller on April 03, 2007) | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Nope, front wheel is always on the ground. I am sure the bike could wheelie, I just dont. I do run down the fire roads at 40-50 mph and get a lil slidie in the corners, but that is in the 15-20 mph range. No jumps, but the potholes and washboard to give the short suspension a work out More clearance would be nice | ||
| Debueller |
Oh, and Ulendo...... Yes I loft the front wheel every chance I get. Every time the belt broke was when I was 2 fingering the clutch to have some fun on the rear tire. I can't help it. Maybe I need some counseling? | ||
| Ulendo |
ROTFLMAO - ask Jerry ( Debueller) about me and 'clearance' issues. I havent had belt, or suspension problems, but my muffler's no longer the stock shape!! Frankly, I'm amazed I havent had belt issues, but I'm careful to clean the grit out of the cogs after dirt runs. What sort of maintenance does everyone on here do to accomodate 'dirtier' riding? | ||
| Debueller |
Let me say this: I have never seen anyone punish a street bike (a CityX) the way Ulendo did last year in Canada. He had luggage flying off the top and sparks flying off the bottom. If we could get Ulendo and CityXslicker together I would go just to watch the show!! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I wash the chunks out, but really the bike only gets washed at services , I am on my 3rd tire too. I keep finding nails . Big framing nails. if I find the J'@$$ that is planting them, I figure he owes me $400.00. But now that we are doing HOOTER bike wash monthly, maybe my bike will be a lil cleaner | ||
| Ulendo |
lets just say I'm eagerly awaiting a Buell 450 enduro  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
similarily beating that dead horse. I will make my CityX into a bagger and use that 450 for my dirty and bendy riding raids. I just hope they give it some decent f*#n fuel capacity. | ||
| Ulendo |
I'll grant you 'range'. if its as frugal as the bigger bikes 'capacity' wont really be the issue. I'm just hoping it has the option of adding lights to make it street legal, and that it doesnt have a 36" seat height like the new XChallange BMW, and Aprillias. | ||
| Chadhargis |
36" seat height is not a problem. I'm hoping it doesn't compromise. I hope they build a machine that will be competitive and even win a race or two. I still think it's a test bed for a new engine for street bikes. As good as the Buell chassis is, imagine if they built a 900-1000cc twin with 4 valves, liquid cooling, and it weighed less than the current engine? Then they could "tune" it for it's application. The Firebolt would get a higher revving version putting out my HP, the Ulysses would get a "tuned for torque" version for slower work. Want a Uly that rips? Change the ECU and cams....booyah! You got a Firebolt engine in a Uly. The possibilities are endless. | ||
| Danger_dave |
30,000km - Much on dirt. No problems. Wash it with a hose and brush when it needs it. | ||
| Lorazepam |
almost 13k miles and no belt issues at all. I like the belt drive, and it beats the other alternatives by a long shot, for my application. I dont wheelie (except coming out of turns once in a while) and I dont beat it up off road. | ||
| Fastfxrs |
14K miles and I wheelie all the time. I'm getting some frayed cords showing on the out side edge of the belt but no all the way around the circumference. I remember some pics on here and ADV rider that looked similar to mine. If you guys are out there, are you still running those belts? Tim | ||
| Lowflyer |
13750 so far on my original belt and still going. | ||
| Windrider |
Almost 8K miles now and still on the original belt. I ride 5 miles of dirt (nasty, gritty, decomposed granite style) on every ride to get in to my house. I rinse it out frequently. I love the belt drive, very smooth, quiet, and almost free of maintenance. I seldom wheelie, but hey, you have to try it out a bit. | ||
| Xbimmer |
21k plus on the original belt, after reading this stuff I'm getting nervous... For me also the belt drive was a deciding factor in my Uly choice. But I'll have 25k on it before a year old and a belt a year as preventative maintenance doesn't make me smile... I think though before going back to a Brand X bike if the belt becomes an issue I'd consider a chain conversion, which again is one main reason I chose the Buell over a Tiger or Adventure KTM. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
saintlycycles@verizon.net Get a chain! Contact Saintly, he will hook you up! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/265726.html?1174307326 My belt broke with 9200 miles on it. | ||
| Windrider |
X Bimmer, I was only getting about 10K - 15K on premium chains on my KLRs. I also would replace sprockets every 2-3 chains and that added cost as well. If you have to replace a belt at 25K, it works out about the same price wise and you still don't have to constantly oil, clean, and adjust the thing. The belt also has a lot nicer feeling and lower unsprung weight on the real wheel which is a bonus on every ride. The real downer about the belt is that when it breaks you are walking... this is a real problem for those of us who venture off the beaten path. I wish that Buell would make an emergency spare belt that would get you out of the bush in a pinch without a bike lift. CityXSlicker, I think that the Uly drive belt is made tougher than the CityX belt?? Seems like I read something when the Uly rolled out that Buell had done some work with Goodyear to make a belt that was more resilient to stone ingestion. I doubt that the Uly belt would fit a CityX since they have different Wheelbase but maybe a new CityX belt will benefit from lessons learned with the Uly. In the end, all final drive systems have problems. Check out some threads on Adventure Rider about problems with final drives on the big BMW GSs... some of these have repair bills in the thousands of dollars and take months to get fixed... and then they fail again. I am still a fan of the Buell belt drive final drive system. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Ok, did Chad just day BOOYAH?  | ||
| Lowflyer |
The real downer if a chain breaks is that you might not be able to walk. Or, you might be walking with a limp. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I removed my track day wheels to put my street wheels back on and noticed little bits of melted rubber on my sprockets and belt. Of course, it was from my tires. LOL!  | ||
| Adrian_8 |
This is a broken belt thread and I have broken a belt...and since I am going out west on a 6K+ ride in May..I thought I would practice changing a belt myself.. The SM says to remove the footpeg bracket..WRONG AGAIN..just loosen the axle 15 turns and take out the swing arm brace (4 allens..one long one, 3 shorts) remove lower belt guard and the belt will come off. No big deal, but the tool kit does not give you an allen to fit the rear axle pinch bolt and a short allen to get the brace screws out. Did not want to learn this in Death Valley. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Now packing a spare in my tank bag. With the tool kit to change it. I could run the Uly belt if I extended the swing arm ... before I do that I will buy the TT and move all my accessories to that bike . Still too short for the ULY  | ||
| Madduck |
Adrian_8, I think changin the belt may be faster than changing a chain. Its a lot cleaner to carry, just have to remember to keep tools and belt together and not bend belt too tight. The side bags make it easier to change, just push it over and its nicely off the ground. The bags are really strong. Putting your jacket liner over the downside bag keeps it from getting scuffed. Service man a Zylstra HD/Buell walked me thru changing belt in the parking lot. No charge and very thorough explanation. Wish plugs were as easy to do. | ||
| Chadhargis |
If the belt is easier than the plugs then it must be a cake walk. I used a pivot on my ratchet to do the plugs. Had no problem at all. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I've not lost a belt but I'm pretty easy on the ULY. Lifetime belt must mean lifetime of the belt. | ||
| Hootis29 |
I asked a guy at the factory if life of the bike meant I was getting a new bike, he said no. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
The belt is easy to change but the problem lies in "where" it breaks...and how long it takes to get to a dealer and does the dealer have one in stock(sure!)...as in BFE Idaho,. Wy., NV...I'am a gonna carry one, if it breaks close to a dealer...Buell will fix it...otherwise "I'm on The Road Again". You must release the axle pressure 15 turns before you take out the swingarm brace and put the brace back in first before tightening the axle as the "book" says it will stress the swingarm without the brace in there to add strength. JSYWK | ||
| Cityxslicker |
New Belt, new front tire, Back to ridin Dirt-y .  |
