Posted by Hogryder on April 18, 2000 at 20:55:34:
In Reply to: Savage -vs- Honda Rebel posted by R on April 15, 2000 at 05:19:04:
I checked with my local Susuki shop and the price of a new drive belt in Rabid City South Dakota is $210.36. This dealer is usually overpriced, so you could probably buy one cheaper elsewhere.
A good chain and set of sprockets will cost you about $100 and last anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 miles depending upon care and riding style. A belt can last the lifetime of the bike. My HD has 40,000 miles on the original belt and I plan to get another 40,000 before I'm done. I put 30,000 miles on my '87 Savage on the original belt and it was going strong with I traded it in. The only belt failure I've seen was caused by vandalism; it was cut. I know lots of people who have 60,000+ miles on their belts and have no need to replace them. I've never seen any chain go that long.
One friend bought a 1987 HD Sportster 883 with the original chain drive. After having the dealer replace the chain and sprockets twice, he had them install a belt conversion kit. Cost him $400 in 1992. He put approximately 50,000 miles on the belt before he bought a new bike and put the Sporty into semi-retirement.
Chain maintenance: Cleaning at least once a month, lubricating at least once a week, adjust tension every 1000 miles (or more often). Lubricant flying off the chain onto your paint, chrome, and leg.
Belt maintenance: Set tension when you replace tire.
Belt vs chain? No brainer.