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Less than 5K miles

1 (6.3%)

More than 12K miles

0 (0%)

More than 15K miles

1 (6.3%)

More than 20K miles

2 (12.5%)

I never had a drive belt break or need replacement.

12 (75%)

Total Members Voted: 16

Voting closed: June 07, 2019, 02:43:48 AM

[alko]

And I don't think Zero belts breaking is that common. Those who have gone 20,000 miles on the same belt are unlikely to get on line to say so.

Me right here, that's me, just a couple weeks ago!

21,600 miles, 2016 dsr, same belt

Keep it within spec and it'll do ya fine. Also no cracks or anything on the outside that I can see, has anyone figured out what factors cause those?

The cracking could be the environment. Im the second owner, but my bike was purchased in SLC Utah and i have no idea if it was garaged or sat outside in the hot summers and covered in snow in the winters. I've had it a year and keep it garaged, but it's very hot/dry here in nv. 110 degrees this summer and I don't let that keep me from riding.

[DonTom]

And I don't think Zero belts breaking is that common. Those who have gone 20,000 miles on the same belt are unlikely to get on line to say so.

Me right here, that's me, just a couple weeks ago!

21,600 miles, 2016 dsr, same belt

Keep it within spec and it'll do ya fine. Also no cracks or anything on the outside that I can see, has anyone figured out what factors cause those?

And doesn't the 2016 DSR have the thinner belt?  They use the larger belt on my 2017 SR and 2017 DS.  So if you can get more than 21.6K miles on your belt, mine should be good for at least 30K.

BTW, isn't there a chart somewhere that shows when Zero recommends changing the belt?  I think you're well past that point and you should probably consider changing it ASAP.

-Don-  Mountain View, CA

[DonTom]

The cracking could be the environment. Im the second owner, but my bike was purchased in SLC Utah and i have no idea if it was garaged or sat outside in the hot summers and covered in snow in the winters. I've had it a year and keep it garaged, but it's very hot/dry here in nv. 110 degrees this summer and I don't let that keep me from riding.

You must be somewhere in Clark County. Has the heat there caused you any problems charging or anything else?  Do you let the bike cool before you charge?  I had some issues at first, on some very unusual hot days in Auburn as well as Reno (Las Vegas type hot, 115F) when I first got the bike. Living on top of hills doesn't help when I get back and try to charge. Now I know to  let the bikes cool and use a fan next to the battery on such days.

But I am also many firmware updates behind. I think at least one of the updates allows charging at a higher temp. I will soon have my bikes udated and motor commissioned. Neither have been done since I purchased my Zeros in 2017. But both ride the same as they did when new.

-Don-  Mountain View, CA

[alko]

The cracking could be the environment. Im the second owner, but my bike was purchased in SLC Utah and i have no idea if it was garaged or sat outside in the hot summers and covered in snow in the winters. I've had it a year and keep it garaged, but it's very hot/dry here in nv. 110 degrees this summer and I don't let that keep me from riding.

You must be somewhere in Clark County. Has the heat there caused you any problems charging or anything else?  Do you let the bike cool before you charge?  I had some issues at first, on some very unusual hot days in Auburn as well as Reno (Las Vegas type hot, 115F) when I first got the bike. Living on top of hills doesn't help when I get back and try to charge. Now I know to  let the bikes cool and use a fan next to the battery on such days.

But I am also many firmware updates behind. I think at least one of the updates allows charging at a higher temp. I will soon have my bikes udated and motor commissioned. Neither have been done since I purchased my Zeros in 2017. But both ride the same as they did when new.

-Don-  Mountain View, CA

I live in Mesquite. Small town that I never have to leave, so all charging done at home overnight. Ive noticed a little power loss, but no big deal. Never even noticed the red light flashing. I've had the bike over a year now and have never done a firmware update. As long as bike works great, never felt the need to haul it to Vegas to get an update.

[Richard230]

And I don't think Zero belts breaking is that common. Those who have gone 20,000 miles on the same belt are unlikely to get on line to say so.

Me right here, that's me, just a couple weeks ago!

21,600 miles, 2016 dsr, same belt

Keep it within spec and it'll do ya fine. Also no cracks or anything on the outside that I can see, has anyone figured out what factors cause those?

And doesn't the 2016 DSR have the thinner belt?  They use the larger belt on my 2017 SR and 2017 DS.  So if you can get more than 21.6K miles on your belt, mine should be good for at least 30K.

BTW, isn't there a chart somewhere that shows when Zero recommends changing the belt?  I think you're well past that point and you should probably consider changing it ASAP.

-Don-  Mountain View, CA

My recollection is that in 2012 Zero recommended that the drive belt be changed at 12K miles.  But that was soon raised to 24K miles on the later models.  I think they still recommend 24K mile belt replacement intervals, at least up to the 2019 bikes.  I don't know what the recommended belt replacement interval for the SR/F but I am sure that must be stated in the owner's manual.

[idle]

The cracking could be the environment. Im the second owner, but my bike was purchased in SLC Utah and i have no idea if it was garaged or sat outside in the hot summers and covered in snow in the winters. I've had it a year and keep it garaged, but it's very hot/dry here in nv. 110 degrees this summer and I don't let that keep me from riding.

Same tho, I'm in AZ, had the bike for 3yrs now, out in the sun on the daily and still no cracks showing, I'm starting to wonder if it's the colder/more wet environments that cause the cracking. My bike does sit outside in the hot sun while I'm at work - but mainly with a cover on, I pull it into the house and charge it after it cools down a few hours later. These belts are supposed to be changed every 16k miles with the exception of the new SR/F which is 24k miles. I've seen that other people get more out of them so that's what I'm betting on. I have a spare at home, keep regen soft and only KIND OF hard accelerate when I'm already up and going, I bet I get 30k out of this thing.

[heroto]

I'm now carrying a back up belt. Any suggestions on how to store this extra belt appreciated. Are they fragile Divas? Can I just shove it into a storage compartment? All knowledgeable tips and advice appreciated. Armchair pundits, no.

[DonTom]

I'm now carrying a back up belt. Any suggestions on how to store this extra belt appreciated. Are they fragile Divas? Can I just shove it into a storage compartment? All knowledgeable tips and advice appreciated. Armchair pundits, no.

Make sure that it  has no bends smaller than the smallest sprocket that it will be used on. Wider, the better for storage. It will be best if you leave it at home, but not really necessary as long as you can carry it with no sharp bends.

for  more info.


-Don- Auburn, CA

[DonTom]

I’m going to carry an extra belt with me. Any guidance on storing on the moto? Is it fragile and needs a padded case? Something less pampering? Or just throw in the tail case and don’t worry too much?

About all I can say is keep it as wide as you can, no sharp bends. A padded case not necessary, but it won't hurt. There is no perfect way to take the belt with you. And even when stored perfectly, the belt will not last much longer than six or seven years, even if not used. The oils in the rubber dry out and make the belt much weaker. In fact, it could last longer being used than not, as I have heard the movement helps prevent the oils from drying out.

Under no case have a bend smaller than the smallest sprocket where it will be used.

FWIW, I have two new spare belts and I do NOT take either with me. But I do have a couple of towing services to get me back home, which includes when I am out of cell coverage. I keep one in my RV, in  case I am on a RV trip with my Zero 6.5.

-Don-  Auburn, CA

[alko]

I would think storing the spare belt in a sealed platic bag would increase shelf life.

[Richard230]

I would think storing the spare belt in a sealed platic bag would increase shelf life.

That is how I have my spare belt stored in my garage.  I also do not have it looped.  I have the plastic bag hanging from a hook on my wall.

[DonTom]

I would think storing the spare belt in a sealed platic bag would increase shelf life.

That is how I have my spare belt stored in my garage.  I also do not have it looped.  I have the plastic bag hanging from a hook on my wall.

The hook only touches the bag? I don't have either of my new belts in a bag, but perhaps I should. I have one hanging, but on several hooks so the weight is more spread out.

The belts are not as weak as some of this makes them seem. It's just that there are some wrong ways to handle them that has a great effect on their life. They should be VERY strong when handled and used correctly. So I have no idea why I am hearing about those SR/F belts snapping already. I expected the newly designed bike to have some issues, but I didn't expect to hear about the thicker belt breaking on the SR/F in just a few miles.

-Don-  Auburn, CA

[Richard230]

My belt is near my furnace and water heater and I am concerned about the possibility of environmental damage to the belt from the fumes of those gas-fueled utilities. 

BTW regarding belt tension: I have seen several posts that have claimed that the belts tightened up after several thousand miles.  I just checked my belt tension using the Gates Kirkit belt tension gauge. When new my belt was set at 70 Kg by the factory, after 6K miles the gauge now indicates a tension of just under 40 Kg, which seems like a better tension.  I think the recommended tension is 25-75 Kg.

[JasonHC]

If you are going to carry the belt with you, do you have all the tools also?

Remember the sun shades that you twist to loop into smaller space, that works just fine in making a "belt looped" into a smaller space.

[alby62]

con la prima  cinghia  ho percorso 1400 km  si è rotta  atterrando  bruscamente dopo un salto , mentre  la  seconda  è ancora  montata  e ho percorso  23000 km, speriamo contunui per altrettanti  km