The belt on my '07 now has 42k and looks new. My last bike now has >120k and after 15 years still has the original belt. That one had a rock perforate the center of the belt at around 20k which I fixed with epoxy, and it's still holding today. I wouldn't change a belt out unless it is damaged and needs replacing or both very old and you're doing work on the primary or tranny making it convenient to change it. Changing a belt is not a quick or simple operation.

I always inspect and clean my belt every time I wash the bike. On my old RK I always used Armor-All after cleaning, but haven't been doing that regularly on the new belt. Since AA never completely dries and thus may attract dust I will probably start using a dry-silicone spray on it from now on. It probably doesn't need it but it can't hurt.

 

Back when I had my old Evo ('96 RK) I visited a Boss Hoss dealer near Daytona, and those bikes used the same belt as I had on my RK, although maybe a bit longer or shorter. I couldn't see any difference, anyway. If it can take the TQ of a 400ci V8 it can take most V-Twin applications. A friend has a 2000 WG and at 100k he has the original belt that is still in good shape.

BTW, assertions that the "old ones" need to be replaced at 50k are simply not true.

 

where are these EMERGENCY BELTS? i would love to have one. been stuck on highway road sides 2 times with broken belts. not cool. not anywhere close to home in NC either.... one in alabama, one in utah......

anyone have a link?
corb

 

oh yeah, there was more to the story. one of these belts had 1,000 miles on it. faulty belt. snapped clean. the other had about 5,000 miles on it. had other isses with the bike.

but i run my bikes hard, so i swap em with less than 50,000. my 2000 road king has 93000. replaced the belt at 83,000. snapped at 84000, new one snapped in utah at 89000. and the new one (again.....) made it home, and is doing fine.

and my 2004 road king custom has 89000, and is on its third belt. none snapped. i just ride hard. especially on that one. so i swap em out at about 40,000.

corb

 

If it ain't broke don't fix it. My 2000 RG had 158k when it got totaled by a cager & still had the original belt.

 

Here ya go!

Harley Emergency Drive Belt

It's amazing what a quick Google search will come up with!

Ride Safe,
Steve R.

 

Yeah, I believe that the early belt is primarily Kevlar, while the later narrow models are from stronger Carbon Fiber.

 

The belt on a Hoss is set at 400lbs tension vs the Harley at 10 lb I have not heard of them breaking too often!!

 

Then I must have gotten lucky on mine. I just put a new belt on my 2000 Road Glide. Original belt still looked good at 105,000 miles, but since I will be doing a cross-country trip soon, I replaced it just because. This is on a Screamin' Eagle Road Glide, 95" stage II motor, and it has not been babied.

If it still looks ok, no reason you shouldn't get 100,000 miles out of it.

 

cool man, thanks, i am in afghan right now, and for whatever reason, google freezes up.... weird.

this is going on my packing list on my next cross country tip in may.
corb