New belt needed ? Z-man? B&L ?

[bluesin]

Anyone else have to replace a belt at 5,000 miles ? Dealer tells me that it was out of adjustment and 'chattering/squeal' I heard was bike taking off in 2nd gear, rather than first ?Should this have been caught at last years 'servicing? Noticed squeal/chatter not long after that .

Going to cost me 650-700 dollars for 36 month servicing ( according to Service Manual)  Excepting $188.00 for belt , an air filter,& oil filter it is mostly labor ( I'm guessing removal of panels,etc.) .

Still seems a bit much.

[BettinANDlosing]

Wow that's insanely expensive. There is no real "adjustment" in the CVT at all. Chattering comes from a small amount of grease / oil on the clutch and bell (usually from the final drive weeping slightly), squealing comes from a slightly aged belt, but I've had new ones make noise so you cant base it strictly on that. A full service on your bike shouldn't be more than $200 including the oil and disposal etc. Do you have rollers or Dr. Pulley sliders? If the sliders flip sideways it will feel like it's taking off in 2nd gear. I base belt replacement off two factors, the width measured in MM (ask them what the width is) and age related wear such as cracks or a shiny "glazing" on the belt. I would get a second opinion at a different shop, that's insanely expensive unless they quoted you for other stuff, tire etc. Not much needed at 5000mi, spark plug, engine oil, gear oil, and maybe valves if your tryin' to be like STIG. Keep us posted on what happens.

[spikebites]

wow seriously 600-700$?  that worries me a lot.  Is there a way to prevent what happened to you from happening to everyone?  I have yet to take my bike in for maintenance.  I'm about to change my own oil at 3k miles, and so far so good.  Should I check the belt as well for any wear/damage or whatever it is you are experiencing?

please keep us posted about this.  I don't want to have to expect a $600 service cost later on. 

[CROSSBOLT]

First? Second gear? On a Downtown? Am I missing something or misunderstanding? 5000 miles and the belt needs replacing? This is either nonsense or something is VASTLY WRONG and is a warranty issue. The prices are horrendously out of line. Especially the belt. This dealer is trying to take you for a ride! These bums are like MD's.

Karl

Please understand my tirade is NOT directed either to or at you. Your dealer is dishonorable and it just FRIES MY A$$!

[boo]

find yourself another shop and or mechanic.
Someone is trying to break one off in you. BIG TIME!

[bluesin]

Wow that's insanely expensive. There is no real "adjustment" in the CVT at all. Chattering comes from a small amount of grease / oil on the clutch and bell (usually from the final drive weeping slightly), squealing comes from a slightly aged belt, but I've had new ones make noise so you cant base it strictly on that. A full service on your bike shouldn't be more than $200 including the oil and disposal etc. Do you have rollers or Dr. Pulley sliders? If the sliders flip sideways it will feel like it's taking off in 2nd gear. I base belt replacement off two factors, the width measured in MM (ask them what the width is) and age related wear such as cracks or a shiny "glazing" on the belt. I would get a second opinion at a different shop, that's insanely expensive unless they quoted you for other stuff, tire etc. Not much needed at 5000mi, spark plug, engine oil, gear oil, and maybe valves if your tryin' to be like STIG. Keep us posted on what happens.

Thanks, B&L. I think they said that teeth were missing on belt. Everything on bike is original ( Rollers? ) .

They ARE doing the 36 month( 18000mile ) servicing, but- did NOT base belt on that.

Will get more info prior to picking it up.Can answer more ?s at that time.

[bluesin]

find yourself another shop and or mechanic.
Someone is trying to break one off in you. BIG TIME!

Belt cost is $188.00 ( from Kymco ). I plan on questioning the high cost of labor.

[bluesin]

First? Second gear? On a Downtown? Am I missing something or misunderstanding? 5000 miles and the belt needs replacing? This is either nonsense or something is VASTLY WRONG and is a warranty issue. The prices are horrendously out of line. Especially the belt. This dealer is trying to take you for a ride! These bums are like MD's.

Karl

Please understand my tirade is NOT directed either to or at you. Your dealer is dishonorable and it just FRIES MY A$$!

 These guys have worked well with me in the past. Even gave me a more powerful ( FREE) battery when I had starting issues with TWO of the original ones.

I want to give them benefit of the doubt, initially.  I plan on learning to do a lot of the yearly servicing myself .

[bluesin]

Thanks to all for your advice. I will keep all updated.

Right now I am in school on Tue/Wed/Thur from 0830- 1630 for the next three ( 4 in all ) weeks, so posting may be delayed a bit.

[moparkid]

You should not need a belt replacing for a long time. In fact the dealer told me that it isnt uncommon to get 50,000-60,000 miles out of a belt. I have 25000 on my bike and still has original belt. I think there is another problem.  You can do all the maintenance yourself such as oil, tranny, air filter and plug replacement. And you can even do the valve adjustment with a manual and proper tools but that might be something left to a pro. But the other routine stuff is something you should do.

[CROSSBOLT]

What is the latest on this, Bluesin? Dyin' to hear how it worked out.

Karl

[BettinANDlosing]

You should not need a belt replacing for a long time. In fact the dealer told me that it isnt uncommon to get 50,000-60,000 miles out of a belt. I have 25000 on my bike and still has original belt. I think there is another problem.  You can do all the maintenance yourself such as oil, tranny, air filter and plug replacement. And you can even do the valve adjustment with a manual and proper tools but that might be something left to a pro. But the other routine stuff is something you should do.

So untrue. Maybe the belt last 50,000 on a burgman or scooter with a "special" belt. But the Kymco scooters with standard style drive belts should be replace at or before the service interval, and with the 300cc engine it is 12,000mi. Why risk breaking a belt while out and about? It is not that expensive for peace of mind. You are chancing it with 25,000 on that belt, seriously. There's a chance that snapping a belt can lock up the clutch and skid the rear wheel and result in a crash if at high speeds (normally when belts break). Just my $.02 working on these bikes for 6 years.

[bluesin]

What is the latest on this, Bluesin? Dyin' to hear how it worked out.

Karl

Belt was worn enough to slip out of place,thus the taking off in wrong gear issue.

Overall cost ( at $75.00/hr. for labor ) was doing everything recommended at 36 month service.

Still some Squeal/grind noise ( occasionally) on takeoff when weather is hot, but- I had them document this in file. Haven't been able to ride much since getting it back ( readying to start first year of college ,after being out of school since mid-70's)... so will keep an ear on it. Goodnewsis, due to my Advanced EMT training at said college, I start out with 12 credits and a 3.84 GPA !

[CROSSBOLT]

Some of the other brands have pre-selectable "gears" ( first, second, etc) and continuous. Kymco only has continuous as far as I know. So this "gear" business is fertilized by ignorance of the dealer/tech. Further, it is a stretch to have a Kymco CVT malfunction within 5000 miles of being born. A big defect of manufacture. De dee had a belt way too long for his new DT300i which jacked his rpm but it worked. The point is, your bike is not right and YOUR DEALER IS NOT DOING ANYTHING but feeding you hot vapor as to what is wrong. I don't know what the belt size is in your machine is but it should be 1004 mm (pitch line length), 25 mm wide and 30 degree "V". These belt do not "slip" in the true sense of slip UNLESS SOMETHING IS WRONG! New Kymcos, in my multi-machine experience work well from the start, generally. Dealers, in my experience, have  cared less about anything after the sale and have REQUIRED KYMCO US INTERVENTION to get them to do ANYTHING. The Regional Sales Rep is you best friend in such situations. I get it you are busy with wrapping your old brain around finishing that degree ( good for you!) but you deserve better treatment. There should be NO SQUEALING OR GRINDING IN A NEW MACHINE!

PS: I am opinionated and gruff on some issues I feel about strongly. I am angry at dealers that treat customers like idle morons. I WILL concede a badly worn belt will change the beginning RATIO. Beyond that my tirade is still directed to the dealer not you, the customer.

Karl

 

[de dee]

  I just cleaned my variator and checked my belt and sliders did everything in a 1/2 hr.,,with two assemblies to check for noise,.  I do have all the tools though,.