Motorcycle Drive Belts & Pulleys

There are a couple of ways to deliver torque produced by a motorcycle’s engine to the drive wheel. One of them is via a motorcycle drive belt. Unlike early motorcycle drive belts which were not able to handle a lot of torque and horsepower, today’s belts offer significant benefits and are a viable alternative to chains and driveshafts. Designed with high efficiency in mind and manufactured from extremely durable materials and often reinforced with steel threads, modern motorcycle drive belts offer added strength, greater reliability, and higher performance. That's why more and more motorcycle manufacturers give preference to them.

The drive belt helps transfer engine power to your rear wheel, connecting it to the transmission. It links the front pulley and rear sprocket, causing the latter one to spin in accordance with the rotation of the drive pulley. The sprocket is hard mounted to the rear wheel, making it run at the same speed. Both front and rear pulleys feature an accurately calculated number of teeth to ensure the perfect balance between acceleration, speed and power. They are manufactured from high-grade steel or aluminum alloys to provide maximum rigidity and stiffness.

Use of a drive belt provides several important advantages. Drive-belt systems operate silently and are easy to maintain. Unlike chains, they do not require any kind of lubrication as well as regular adjustments for their proper operation. The majority of drive belts are also more affordable than motorcycle chains and driveshafts, ensuring the lowest cost per mile on the market. Plus, most drive belts are relatively easy to install on a bike. Yet, you should keep in mind that drive belts are almost impossible to repair on the roadside, that’s why it’s crucial to make scheduled replacements according to your owner’s manual on a regular basis.

Today’s motorcycle drive belts are guaranteed to live a long life, providing reliable operation for thousands of miles. However, just like any other part of your bike, they are prone to wear and tear. The most common failures that may happen to a drive belt are lost teeth and cracks. If your drive belt loses a tooth or more, it may slip on both front and rear pulleys which in turn will lead to reduced performance and increased fuel consumption. Lost teeth may also cause the belt to break and lead to the worst-case scenario you should try to avoid.

Your motorcycle final drive pulleys are some of the most durable parts in your bike. Although, since they are under lots of stress while transferring engine power to the rear wheel, the pulleys can prematurely wear out. While it is virtually impossible to break a pulley during normal motorcycle use, its teeth are prone to fretting due to continual traction with the drive belt. Worn-out teeth may cause your belt to slip and even lead for a lost belt. To prevent that from happening you should inspect the pulleys during every drive belt change and replace them if necessary.