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[JaimeC]

When changing my tires at my friend's house yesterday I discovered something odd.  The rubber backing on the belt was cracking and there was even a half-inch space where it had fallen off completely.  The toothed side is fine, and the carbon/kevlar fabric exposed did not have any imperfections.  This is my fifth motorcycle with a belt drive and this is the first time I've ever seen anything like this.  I'm going to call my dealer tomorrow but do you think I should make a warranty claim?  The bike is less than two years old and only recently surpassed 8K miles.  My 2016 S (which had the previous generation of belt drive) had nearly 16K on the odometer on the original belt and never had this happen.

[Moto7575]

Any picture ?

[JaimeC]

Sorry it took so long to respond.  FINALLY got the bike up on the stand and snapped a photo.

[DonTom]

When changing my tires at my friend's house yesterday I discovered something odd.  The rubber backing on the belt was cracking and there was even a half-inch space where it had fallen off completely.  The toothed side is fine, and the carbon/kevlar fabric exposed did not have any imperfections.  This is my fifth motorcycle with a belt drive and this is the first time I've ever seen anything like this.  I'm going to call my dealer tomorrow but do you think I should make a warranty claim?  The bike is less than two years old and only recently surpassed 8K miles.  My 2016 S (which had the previous generation of belt drive) had nearly 16K on the odometer on the original belt and never had this happen.

What did your dealer say? Perhaps is is only cosmetic damage, but I really do not know. Without an answer that I trust, I would change the belt just to feel better about it.

But since it's a warranty issue, it will be interesting to hear what they say.

-Don-  Payson, AZ (RV)

[JaimeC]

The dealer told me belts aren't covered by the warranty, but that is NOT normal "wear and tear."  I sent a letter to Zero but never heard back from them. 

I do have a replacement belt on order.

[NEW2elec]

That sucks man.  It's hard to know for sure if the belt just started coming apart due to bad manufacturing or is maybe something hit it and took a chunk out of it. 
I don't know if Gates makes these belts only for Zero or if they have other applications.  If they are exclusively for Zero then Gates should have some type of mileage warranty in my opinion. 

[Richard230]

Looking at your photo, my guess is that it is a manufacturing defect by Gates.  If there was a problem on the sprocket side of the belt, then I would say it might be caused by a rock, but on the top of the belt?  I can't see how that could be damaged due to your riding environment.   

[NEW2elec]

It's at the top in the picture but while your riding it's at the top and bottom.   

[Richard230]

It's at the top in the picture but while your riding it's at the top and bottom.   

OK. How about on the outside of the belt, opposite the teeth that transmit power to the rear cog wheel? Would that be a better description.   

[Crissa]

Flying debris, sun, corrosive environments all affect the outside of the belt.

I'd send it in once you get it off and try to get a claim.  It's certainly not usual wear.

-Crissa

[NEW2elec]

It could be from the edge of a pothole or a chunk of retread tire flip up.  I see your point and I agree most of the belts fail from the inside from rocks getting between the belt and sprocket.  I'm sort of showing why it "might" not be just a defective belt.

Just for data my 13 has 32500 miles with the original belt.  My 17 has 15k with the original belt.  There seems to be an element of luck involved.

[ESokoloff]

Sorry it took so long to respond.  FINALLY got the bike up on the stand and snapped a photo.

I’m thinking that the outer skin is just to protect the cords.
I would be tempted to build up a layer of “Goop”  or similar product over the bare spot.
I would position the bare spot in a similar position as your image shows & form a dam made of tape & paper to minimize over application where it’s not wanted.   

Easy for me to give advice when it’s not my problem tho.......

[DonTom]

The dealer told me belts aren't covered by the warranty, but that is NOT normal "wear and tear."  I sent a letter to Zero but never heard back from them. 

I do have a replacement belt on order.

I was thinking that belts might not be covered. Much like tires. Makes me wonder if drive chains are covered with warranties with other bikes. If so, it will be another reason to avoid belts.

I don't trust belts nearly as much as a chain, but I own three belt driven bikes.

-Don-  Payson, AZ (RV)

[JaimeC]

The saga continues.  I went to the dealership to have the replacement belt installed.  After they had the swingarm off, they discovered Zero had sent them the WRONG belt.  The bright side is, they took photos of the existing belt and will be contacting Zero on my behalf about getting it warranteed.  They agree that kind of wear is NOT normal.

[staples]

That's the same story I heard when getting my belt replaced. They claimed Zero sent them the wrong belt. Not sure if Zero has a problem shipping the right belts, or if the dealers order the wrong ones.

It was an expensive (in both $$ and time) lesson about proper belt usage. I'm now much more careful where I accelerate hard.