Drive Belt - Real livetime --- breaking ?

The belt of my SW is allready changed at 16000 miles by the former owner.

The old belt looks like new.
Not a scratch or crack.

How about the real live time?

And...very important...
Do they break?

Hi eddy,

Happy to hear the former owner changed the belt. Most people change the belt per the book (maintenance) and I have only heard of 1 belt going bad during operation in the last 1 1/2 years. Most nornal wear on the belt will be on the sides where it makes contact.

I have now over 200,000 rubber band drive scooter miles since 1990.

Always change at manufacturer's recommend time. Of course think they will go longer. Getting run over doesn't sound like fun to me----have been run over by lady on cell phone at stop sign--hurt.

Once one belt totally failed and thankfully as I turned off Freeway and as I gave gas nothing. Belt was shredded. I carried spare. Helix....again thankful belt could be changed by only taking cover off and using piece of wood to block rear clutch open, new belt would go in. Reflex didn't have space to do this and I think SilverWing Same.

These belts are weakest link---drive a lot----my last chain drive Bike went 44,000 on original chain----much cheaper to keep than scooter.

John Grinsel

Not much to find about belt breakage.


And like Dennis said... most people change the belt according maintenance scenario.


When i (in late summer) go for longer trips (weekend), i will take the old belt with me.
In case the current break.


Changing a belt needs special tools...

And that makes me dependable of other people.
Hate that.

eddy wrote:

The old belt looks like new. Not a scratch or crack.

I think they generally look fine. Obvious damage to the surface would mean it is not serviceable. To determine if it is within the acceptable service limits you would have to use a micrometer to measure the width of the belt. It is possible to have internal damage and the belt still be within the service limits.

eddy wrote:

How about the real live time?

Real life time - best to follow the very conservative recommended mileage (KMs).

eddy wrote:

And...very important... Do they break?

I've only heard of one SilverWing belt breaking in the time I've been on various forums. Obviously they can break and it is even possible that more than the one I know of has broken.

We travel long distances (on 2 SilverWings) and do not carry spare belts. I know that is the behavior of a heretic, but...

jdeereanton wrote:

eddy wrote:

And...very important... Do they break?

I've only heard of one SilverWing belt breaking in the time I've been on various forums. Obviously they can break and it is even possible that more than the one I know of has broken.

The belt that broke was a Mitsuboshi Kevlar Belt not an OEM Honda belt.

Conclusion: ( but not a scientific conclusion)

They don' t break when changing every 16000 miles.

Question again...

Did today a trip, 60 miles, hot weather (85 F ).
Secundary roads, 40..50 miles/hour , and with a lot stops and go.

At home i checked with my hand the temperature of the wheels, bearingsarea, tires.
Also the final drive box.

The rear objects are remarkable hotter, compared with the front.

It feels hot, but i can easy hold my hand.
I guess about 120 F .


Is it normal or to hot??


Thank You