I was just about to leave this afternoon backed my bike out of the garage let it warm up, got on it, looked down and my belt is broken. The bike only has 8500 miles on it and I don't beat the **** out of it. I recently put new tires on the bike. I have put about 500 miles on it since. When I put the rear back on I measured for alignment and did the belt twist for belt tension. I'm not positive that it wasn't to tight but I think I had it right. My question to you all is what would cause this, and have you ever seen anything like this before? Also is it possible that it was a defect in the belt itself? Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks! Aaron

 

Another picture

 

One more. Sorry it's only letting me upload one at a time from my iPad.

 

humm that belt doesn't look bad at all. thinking maybe too tight after new tire install. ??? i thought most belts were good for 40K?

 

These belts get tighter when they warm up. And belt twist is discouraged. I ride my bike hard and my belt is rather loose.

 

Foreign object caught between belt and pulley. or if the bike is old enough and sits a lot, check the front pulley for sharp edges developing on the pulley's iron teeth caused by corrosion.

Your belt wasn't too tight. Mine has been taut, ( deliberately,) for the last 12 1/2 years, ( and 118,000 miles.) Taut is better than too loose where a load shock can snap them.

 

I will check the front pulley in the morning and get back to you. With only 8500 miles I'm doubting that its sharp already.

 

Yea, but what year? Old and low mileage will mean it's sitting and that's a haven for corrosion.

Although I'm thinking maybe something got wedged in, that would kill a belt with 5 miles on it.

 

spend the $25 for the belt tension tool. It's well worth it to make sure your belt is the right tension.

 

Would it be possible that the belt was rather tight when measured and then when you sat on the bike it tightened even more since the suspension moves axle up and stretches belt.
Looks like a sharp cut.. like tooth on pulley caused it to give-up or some one squeezed belt when off the pulley and weakened it.