Drive Belt

[axy]

Service manual states service dimensions only for OEM belts. You have aftermarket belt with different dimensions and will have to go by the feeling.

You should check the belt for signs of tear-wear from time to time and decide for yourself.

In any case, I would not exceed 20.000 kms on it.

[guile]

Thanks Axy. The belt wore about 1 millimeter (1 millimeter = 0.039 370 078 74 inch). Would that be still safe?
(btw, what's your thought on grouchysmurf's idea of buying a Gates PL30071 belt?

[ts1]

If the OEM belt has rubbed off 1mm, it has reached its service limit and has to be replaced.

Read about sissy marys misfortune http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=4095.0, read JPs advice (working at a Kymco dealer) about non-OEM belts and then decide at your own risk.

Or (as you might understand German) visit the German Kymco Forum http://zzip.de/forum/index.php? and ask again.
Imho I know the answer from "Meister Zip" (approved Kymco dealer and master mechanic).

BTW: my OEM belt lasted 25000km after it reached it's service limit.
I know that a snapping belt can result in secondary damage and even to rear wheel blocking and accident.
Guess, what brand I have chosen. (Although I'm not a Kymco dealer.)

[axy]

Thanks Axy. The belt wore about 1 millimeter (1 millimeter = 0.039 370 078 74 inch). Would that be still safe?
(btw, what's your thought on grouchysmurf's idea of buying a Gates PL30071 belt?

Q1: nobody will be able to provide that answer for you: typically, service wear indicated in the user manual for OEM belt is around 2 mm.

Q2: Gates seem to be reputable US brand. I have no direct experience with them though. The belt has slightly different dimensions than OEM, this might alter the transmission ratio a bit and give different acceleration and top speed. You have a testimonial of one forum member it works, so you might go with that. Many times I have benefited from some members' opinions and several times forum information proved to be complete bs: for example, I bought wrong rollers for Agility 125 based on that information and broke several fins on the vario face plate trying to block it with screwdrivers which seems to be preferred method of many people online.

I have already purchased Dayco belt for upcoming change on my P250S. So, I did not go OEM either. The price difference was roughly double.

[guile]

Thanks AXY and ts1 for your replies!

[guile]

I put the Gates PL30071 belt on my bike a few weeks ago.  I noticed several differences between the Gates belt and the OEM belt.
1.  Gates belt is longer.
2.  The Gates belt is wider.
3.  The Gates belt does not have teeth on the outside.
4.  And my favorite difference...the Gates belt costs $25.

It works fine, I have no complaints.  The Gates belt is made in the USA and appears to be a very tough, heavy duty belt.  I don't expect any problems from it.  But even if it does not last as long as the OEM belt, it is still a good deal, as you can buy 6 of them for the price of one OEM belt, or 10 of them for the price of one Malossi belt.

Grouchysmurf, you noticed several differences in the Gates-belt: length, width and no cooling-teeth. In what way are these aspects positive or negative?
Thanks.
Guile
The Netherlands

[guile]

I found a Gates PL30071 belt at www.rockauto.com at $ $24.79.

[grouchysmurf]

Guile - I have about 1,000 miles on the Gates belt, and I have not noticed anything negative.  I think the longer belt length  MAY cause it to rev slightly higher when accelerating, or that might just be my imagination.  Either way, it works fine.  Considering the difference in price, I can't justify buying anything else.

[grouchysmurf]

***DO NOT BUY THE GATES BELT!!!***

Yes, I'm the guy who said the Gates belt was fine and it was a great deal etc...
My belt failed today.  It gave me about 5 minutes warning by sounding a little funny, then snap!
The belt had about 3,000 miles on it.
Luckily my bike just coasted to the side of the road.  I have heard stories of the rear wheel locking, causing people to dump it.

This happened about an hour ago, just took a taxi home.  My next step will be to order a KYMCO OEM belt!

If you bought the Gates belt based on my previous advice, please take it off and get the OEM belt.  I got lucky that I didn't get hurt.  You may not be so lucky!

[guile]

Thanks for your quick reply!

[Hoolander2]

Ditto, thanks, Smurf.  Glad no wreck.

[axy]

***DO NOT BUY THE GATES BELT!!!***

Yes, I'm the guy who said the Gates belt was fine and it was a great deal etc...
My belt failed today.  It gave me about 5 minutes warning by sounding a little funny, then snap!
The belt had about 3,000 miles on it.
Luckily my bike just coasted to the side of the road.  I have heard stories of the rear wheel locking, causing people to dump it.

This happened about an hour ago, just took a taxi home.  My next step will be to order a KYMCO OEM belt!

If you bought the Gates belt based on my previous advice, please take it off and get the OEM belt.  I got lucky that I didn't get hurt.  You may not be so lucky!

This is around 1200 x better than new belt I installed in my gf's A125 that snapped after 7 kms.
I think that must be a world record.

[Dr. Scooter]

That's weird because I have almost 5000 miles on my gates belt and as I always say I ride my bike pretty hard

[guile]

That's very interesting.
It seems that belts are very unpredictable.

I never had problems (knock on wood) with Malossi belts and I max out my Xciting all the time.

[Scumeda3]

Here's a crazy idea.  What is everyone's weight?  I weigh less than 200lbs. with all my gear.  The reason I ask is that weight is a direct factor to how much horse power is need to generate cruising speed (65 mpg).  If you weigh more, that may cause excessive wear on the belt and cause an early failure.  I bought a Gates belt (not yet installed) and will end up putting it on when I hit 15,000 miles.  I got about 4,100 miles as of now.