Future monster drive line

[Capt baz]

was just curious what the masses felt.

[knightrider]

belts are for buells

[DucHead]

fixed

silly rabbit belts are for buells

[aaronb]

My biggest issue with belts is that they are ugly.  They can’t make as tight of a turn as a chain so the front pulley has to be bigger, which in turn means the rear pulley has to be huge.  Not very pleasing. 

the reduction in maintenance is not enough to make me want to change. 

[johnster]

My biggest issue with belts is that they are ugly.  They can’t make as tight of a turn as a chain so the front pulley has to be bigger, which in turn means the rear pulley has to be huge.  Not very pleasing. 

the reduction in maintenance is not enough to make me want to change. 

+1 gazillion...

"Technology + reliability" doesn't always translate into "Pretty + desirable"... This is one of those times...

A belt drive ala Buell would stick out like a sore make the beast with two backsing thumb on a Monster.. 

[Duck-Stew]

Providing that the drive-ratio can be adjusted as easily (availability of different tooth belt-sprockets) then I think yes...it would be desirable to replace the chain w/a belt.

The chains are dirty, need adjusting, and noisy.

Belts are getting much more powerful and thinner and lighter than a chain.  Time will tell...but I think belts are coming Ducati's way....

[hypurone]

Belts are getting much more powerful and thinner and lighter than a chain.  Time will tell...but I think belts are coming Ducati's way....

and there could be some really kewl carbon pulleys and sh1t!! 

[johnster]

If there was some ultra-flex, high-strength belt that wouldn't require a big honking pulley in the back, and the belt was relatively inconspicuous, then maybe....I'd have to see it in place to really decide...Not saying it's not good food for thought, but just not my cup-o-tea...

I don't know, maybe I'm just throwback (If that's possible @ age 29   ), but chains are just so "Motorcycle", and I like that...

[silentbob]

Hydrostatic drive.

[herm]

i voted for the magna drive, whatever that is 

[krolik]

i voted for the magna drive, whatever that is 

So did I, but I would've voted for "Boobies" if that was an option.

[mossimo]

So did I, but I would've voted for "Boobies" if that was an option.

Some people never change

[jerryz]

My experience of belts on HDs and Buell has been very positive and the technology is developing , the benefits of belts are obvious ,cleaner quieter smoother etc and less maintainance ...

They may not handle higher HP just yet but Buells give out over 100hp and HDs develop monster torque. replacing belts on Buells and Sportsters is quick but on HD bigtwins its a 5 hour job due to the driveline layout . If Ducati used a belt it would requir changes to the crankcase for gearbox sprocket area to be enlarged for a pulley .but changing belts would be really easy job.

Having worked for an HD dealer bhere in THailand I have seen few faliures and some huge mileages racked up on belts.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Anyone who puts a *lot* of miles on their bike would probably want a belt.



I know I would.

[BWClark]

I read that belt vs chain article thingie, and came away thinking "whatever".

I'm a "form following function" kinda guy. If belts are better, hit it, if not, don't.

Until then, Magnadrive please...