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Less than 5K miles

1 (6.3%)

More than 12K miles

0 (0%)

More than 15K miles

1 (6.3%)

More than 20K miles

2 (12.5%)

I never had a drive belt break or need replacement.

12 (75%)

Total Members Voted: 16

Voting closed: June 07, 2019, 02:43:48 AM

[ESokoloff]

LunaCycle sells a kit to upgrade to the wider belt: https://lunacycle.com/zero-motorcycle-wide-belt-sprocket-conversion-kit/

Giacomo

Awesome 

My only concern is can the motor & rear axle bearings handle the additional tension?

I know that my motor bearing gets noisier with slightly excessive belt tension. 
The 17-on has a much wider tension range so perhaps this will acomadate pre 17 bearings???

[ESokoloff]

Does the 16 ds have the narrower belt?

Yes.
Belt width increased on 2017 models (not sure about the FX). 

[DonTom]

Yes.
Belt width increased on 2017 models (not sure about the FX).

I don't think they changed the belt on the plain "S" model and a couple of others, but I am not sure.

I know the DS ZF 6.5  went to a wider belt in 2017. It uses the same belt as my 2017 SR 16.3.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[DonTom]

I posted this because I have seen a few messages about belts breaking.  But since few will post that their belts have not given any problems, I decided to ask here.

I have come to the conclusion that the drive belt is a lot more reliable than I previously thought.

It looks like I have no reason to convert to a drive chain, as belts breaking early is not the norm.  I was thinking the drive belt was likely the very first item to be a problem, but perhaps that is not the case.

Thanks to everyone who participated. 

-Don-  Reno, NV

[stevenh]

~10K on my DSR with the original belt (traded), no problems
~2K on my SR/F so far

Steve

[alko]

Yes.
Belt width increased on 2017 models (not sure about the FX).

I don't think they changed the belt on the plain "S" model and a couple of others, but I am not sure.

I know the DS ZF 6.5  went to a wider belt in 2017. It uses the same belt as my 2017 SR 16.3.

-Don-  Reno, NV

Accordi g to my 2017 manual, every bike except the S model got the bigger belt. Not sure why!

[alko]

On my 2017 dsr with 8500 miles, ive noticed micro-cracking on the outside of my belt around the small pulley. Not sure if this is normal or if I should start worrying.

[staples]

There are slits in the top layer. I assume to help it wrap around the pulleys without cracking.They are at regular intervals (about 1cm or so) and perfectly straight across the belt. Got a pic of what you are seeing?

[Richard230]

Yes.
Belt width increased on 2017 models (not sure about the FX).

I don't think they changed the belt on the plain "S" model and a couple of others, but I am not sure.

I know the DS ZF 6.5  went to a wider belt in 2017. It uses the same belt as my 2017 SR 16.3.

-Don-  Reno, NV

Accordi g to my 2017 manual, every bike except the S model got the bigger belt. Not sure why!

It has been my observation that the S model tends to get any leftover parts from previous years, until they are used up and then it will get the newer versions.  As an example, the Power Tank installed on my 2018 S was the lower-capacity previous model, while the SR version got the higher-capacity PT.  Later, the 2019 S models then received the new "larger" PT.

[DonTom]

On my 2017 dsr with 8500 miles, ive noticed micro-cracking on the outside of my belt around the small pulley. Not sure if this is normal or if I should start worrying.

I notice the same on my 2017 DSR belt.  I noticed it a couple of thousand miles ago.  So far, all still okay.

-Don-  Auburn, CA

[alko]

There are slits in the top layer. I assume to help it wrap around the pulleys without cracking.They are at regular intervals (about 1cm or so) and perfectly straight across the belt. Got a pic of what you are seeing?

The cracks are too small for my camera to see, but they go across the entire width of the belt between the ribs.

[alko]

I found a magnifier app that's really cool. Here's a pic of the micro-cracks.

[valnar]

Dumb question - Is this issue normal on other belt bikes like BMW or Harley?  Or is Zero just special?

[DonTom]

Dumb question - Is this issue normal on other belt bikes like BMW or Harley?  Or is Zero just special?

The belt on my Harley is supposed to be replaced at 75,000 miles (120KM). It's a very thick belt. They have been known to break, but I don't think it is a common thing to happen within that 75K miles. Still a small rock or whatever can get between the sprocket and the belt and do damage at any time. Kinda like a flat tire can happen at any time.

BTW, even drive chains and drive shafts have been known to break. I had bolts break off inside my BMW drive shaft a few years ago, at the flange.

And I don't think Zero belts breaking is that common. Those who have gone 20,000 miles on the same belt are unlikely to get on line to say so.

Forums make all makes and models of bikes seem unreliable for that reason.

For an example, the Triumph Trophy SE  forum makes me wonder when my gearshift bolt will break just like this forum makes me wonder when my belt will snap. There are several reports of such  happening, but the countless people like me who have never had the TTSE gear shift bolt break or have a Zero belt snap, normally don't bother to mention such in these forums. 

-Don-  Auburn, CA

[idle]

And I don't think Zero belts breaking is that common. Those who have gone 20,000 miles on the same belt are unlikely to get on line to say so.

Me right here, that's me, just a couple weeks ago!

21,600 miles, 2016 dsr, same belt

Keep it within spec and it'll do ya fine. Also no cracks or anything on the outside that I can see, has anyone figured out what factors cause those?