Belt drive and gravel roads
#1
07-25-2007, 08:02 AM
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location:
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Belt drive and gravel roads
I asked this awhile back on the Sportster side, but I thought I would throw this out on the general forum. I'm looking at purchasing a Sportster to ride to work. I currently ride a Kawa KLR 650 dualsport which is almost perfect for the 7 miles of blacktop and 3 miles of gravel road each way to work. Would you ride your Harley on a gravel road everyday, and has anyone had problems with their belt drive sucking up rocks and tearing it up? I don't have the room in my garage for two bikes and don't have time to ride both so keeping the KLR and buying a Sportster is not an option. Thanks for any responses.
#2
07-25-2007, 08:22 AM
RE: Belt drive and gravel roads
I've been on quite a few gravel roads and havn't had any trouble with my belt. They are specifically designed to be able to take a rock pushed through them and still hold. If you are really concerned about it you can buy aspare belt kit that is a split belt that you can easily install on the side of the road that will get you home or to the dealer...
RE
RE
#3
07-25-2007, 08:29 AM
RE: Belt drive and gravel roads
The KLR and the Sportster are two totally different bikes. If the bike you have now is "perfect" for the task you've answered your own question!! 
Personally I wouldn't subject my Harley to gravel roads on a regular basis. That includes the concern for a rock/stone getting in the belt.
Personally I wouldn't subject my Harley to gravel roads on a regular basis. That includes the concern for a rock/stone getting in the belt.
#4
07-25-2007, 08:47 AM
RE: Belt drive and gravel roads
I ride a mile each way on dirt going to work and coming home and have never had a problem. Now thats not to say i never will but it is not a real concern i have. I see a lot of people riding with open primarys and have asked a few if they ever had problems and the most common answer was it chewed up the left pant leg at times. If this is a deciding factor in your purchase i would not worry about it.
mike
mike
#5
07-25-2007, 09:03 AM
"Seeker of Freedom"
RE: Belt drive and gravel roads
I grew up on gravel roads and wouldn't want to drive my Harely on them, but given the choice of no Harley! Drive slow enough to avoid throwing rocks up and a lot of dust. I would suggest buying stock in your favorite cleaners, because your bikes gonna need a bath daily.
#7
07-25-2007, 09:18 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Posts: 11,065
Received 1,296 Likes
on
483 Posts
Trending Topics
#8
07-25-2007, 09:22 AM
3rd Gear
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Black Hills of Wyoming
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Belt drive and gravel roads
I run 3 miles of gravel each way everyday, no problems so far. The bike doesn't kick up that much dust and gravel- it does get dirty/dusty but not nearly as bad as you might think. Street tires aren't exactly rock throwers- I suppose if you put a set of knobbies on you might have an issue then.
#9
07-25-2007, 10:03 AM
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location:
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Belt drive and gravel roads
Hey Whaap, your right, they are two totally different bikes and the KLR is just about perfect for the type of riding I do, but lust has reared it's ugly head. I started riding when I was 15 and I'm 47 now and with the exception of a ten year break, I've had one bike or another continuously. I've lusted after a Sportster since the first time I walked into a Harley shop when I was 21. I bought the KLR with dreams of some "adventure" trips and camping but due to work and a busy home life, it aint happen'n. In fact I rarely get out to ride except to work. So the Sportster would work for the kind of riding I'm doing now. I've just heard some horror stories about the belt drive so that's why I'm asking.
#10
07-25-2007, 10:08 AM