Drive chain versus drive belt?

**The Stranger:Me** · 25th August 2009, 20:23

Originally Posted by Subike

not mine but seeing you asked.

belt drives are meant to be smoother in the power delivery and quieter.

cains wear and throw crap all over the place

shafties just keep on doing it with LITTLE TO NO MAINTENANCE

Photoshop, you can see the artifacts.

**mossy1200** · 25th August 2009, 20:36

Originally Posted by The Stranger

They dont want to use a chain, but as everyone knows, shaft drive bikes can't wheelie, so they us a belt instead.

you never riden a BMWR1200S then.

**The Stranger:Me** · 25th August 2009, 20:42

Originally Posted by mossy1200

you never riden a BMWR1200S then.

No thank you, but when I've had more experience at making excuses I may get one though.

**Molly** · 25th August 2009, 20:47

Got a shaft drive on my Guzzi. Clean and, touch wood, reliable and all but maintenance free (provided you maintain it...). Shafties can rise under acceleration too.

Belt drive will outlast a chain on a pulsing v-twin like a HD but one stray bit of gravel and you've a few hours work on your hands to change it.

Chains are an efficient way of transferring power and playing with the ratios is a piece of piss. Just need to remember to lube it (which reminds me).

**martybabe** · 25th August 2009, 21:02

Shaftie wheelie.

**Big Dave** · 25th August 2009, 21:13

Originally Posted by Molly

you've a few hours work on your hands to change it.

Depends on the machine and the enclosures - On my Buell it's a half hour job - and it's done thousands of km of gravel.

Fat Boy not so huh.

**Mystic13** · 25th August 2009, 21:19

Originally Posted by p.dath

I didn't even realise they made two wheel bikes with an actual drive shaft, or is someone taking the micky?

And here I am wondering if you're taking the mickey?

Yamaha, FJR1300, XJ750 and the 650 from memory.
BMW, the 850's, 1150's, 1200's and 1300's are all shaft.
Honda, CX500, VT500, Revere 600, NT700, XLV750, ST1100 (and the new 1200ccV4 - when's that coming BD?)
Moto Guzzi's, Can't think of one without shaft.
Kawasaki ZG1400
Suzuki 650G, 850G and 1100G.

and the wee Yamaha PW50 to name a few.

**elevenhundred** · 25th August 2009, 21:23

Goldwinging

http://keeptherubbersidedown.net/wp-...ng-wheelie.jpg

**BMWST?** · 25th August 2009, 21:27

Originally Posted by Mystic13

And here I am wondering if you're taking the mickey?

Yamaha, FJR1300, XJ750 and the 650 from memory.
BMW, the 850's, 1150's, 1200's and 1300's are all shaft.
Honda, CX500, VT500, Revere 600, NT700, XLV750, ST1100 (and the new 1200ccV4 - when's that coming BD?)
Moto Guzzi's, Can't think of one without shaft.
Kawasaki ZG1400
Suzuki 650G, 850G and 1100G.

and the wee Yamaha PW50 to name a few.

yamaha xs 750/850 triple too
not to mention just about every BMW bike since (shhh dont mention) the war

**Edbear** · 25th August 2009, 21:27

Originally Posted by Two Smoker

Pity they weigh a million tonnes...

Yes, they do weigh more, but as with most things, you don't notice it in the riding.

Personally I prefer a shaft due to the fact that I'm a Grandpa and can't be bothered with the maintainance of a chain drive, ie. lubrication and adjustments.

My Boulevard has just had its 20k service and apart from regular services I haven't done anything else. The tyres are just starting to show signs of wear at 21,600km, it's still on the original front brake pads and rear shoes and it's just blown its second set of driving light bulbs. The shop has replaced them with the proper twin-fillament bulbs now so maybe that will solve that wee problem. Not bad for 2 1/2 years of enjoyable ownership...