ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: DonTom on May 24, 2019, 02:43:48 AM
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I would like to get a rough idea how long the drive belts usually last on Zeros. We often hear about them breaking here, but few will post a message about NOT having any problems. I would like to hear from all Zero owners here.
For those who would like to vote and reply, I would like to know what year Zero and model. And if there were obvious damage from belt that broke, such as a rock getting between the belt and sprocket,
I will start:
I have a 2017 Zero DS ZF 6.5 with 6,800 miles. No belt issues.
I also have a 2017 SR with Pwr Tank, with around 5K miles. No belt problems.
-Don- Cold Springs Valley, NV
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I had about 9k miles on my 2016 FXS and have about 4k miles on my 2018 FXS. No belt issues, but this is within the expected lifetimes. How we ride is probably also relevant. For me, almost no off-road, the majority of my miles are on the highway. I've got a pretty heavy throttle hand, but rarely do wheelies, skip curbs, or do anything to spin up the back tire. I think my riding style is pretty low risk for belt problems.
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I replaced that fucker before hitting 1K. If you take jumps and land on the throttle it's an absolutely necessity. If you ride like a pansy or don't care about being stranded, go ahead and use the belt.
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I replaced that fucker before hitting 1K. If you take jumps and land on the throttle it's an absolutely necessity. If you ride like a pansy or don't care about being stranded, go ahead and use the belt.
I mostly ride like a little old lady (AKA "pansy"). Perhaps more than 95% of my e-bike riding is in the eco mode.
But I am curious if your belt broke right when you took a jump or was it many miles after. Or was it wear and not a break?
-Don- Cold Springs Valley, NV
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Either failure mode is possible. I didn't jump the bike before changing after hearing many warnings from the very few who ride these bikes on track. My belt is hanging intact in the workshop. For roadgoing purposes you have a low chance of breaking a belt. If you land jumps on power the belt will certainly break.
The military bikes use a chain as well, even tho it's louder and requires more frequent maintenance. Nuf said.
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I didn’t take the Survey as I’m not comfortable conveying my experiences via your fixed/limited data points.
Here are my belt replacement notes....
10-14-17 8,500+-
Replaced SNAPED belt!!! 5,75hrs to get home (Thx Malibu Tow).
2-5-19 27,557 belt skipped upon hard acceleration.
Replaced belt.
About 19k miles so may be best to replace @ 16k as recommended by Zero (NOTE: This is a 2016 DSR)
I purchased the bike used @ approx 1 years old & 2.8k miles on the clock.
The first belt lasted less then half the span of the second as it had to endure two adolescent behaviored riders whereas the second one only had to endure one somewhat more mature rider.
I don’t baby my belts (until they send out warning signs of their impending failure).
That said, when the first belt sent that signal, I immediately ordered its replacement yet still managed to drag race an ICE rider which ended its life (so much for my self control).
I WISH I had the new/wider design.
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2015 SR. Sold it with 12,000 miles . Original belt was like new. Replaced both tires by dealer at 9,000 because the front one got some big lumps in the tread. So the belt was loosened and retightened at that time.
Mine was a Demo bought in September 2015 with 250 miles by most likely heavy hands. As for my own riding, I would switch to Sport before entering a freeway so as to have no limits if needed, then back to Eco as I exited.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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First belt started losing teeth right after tire change at 13,000 miles... It wasn't a Zero-trained shop, so I bet they over-tightened it, and I didn't double check. Second belt is still strong after 15,000 miles. No doubt belt design has paid off 10x.
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Not sure if I count on this one.
2019 FX, 3 months of use, 1300 miles, no issues.
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2017 dsr with 7000 miles, no trouble with belt. Always in sport mode with heavy hand. No panzy here, but I don't abuse it either.
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My daughter's 2014 S has 12K miles on the clock and the original belt still looks like new.
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My 13DS 29k+ miles and my 17DSR 12k+ miles still going.
My belts are too afraid of my bad ass to even think of breaking!
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I didn’t take the Survey as I’m not comfortable conveying my experiences via your fixed/limited data points.
Here are my belt replacement notes....
10-14-17 8,500+-
Replaced SNAPED belt!!! 5,75hrs to get home (Thx Malibu Tow).
2-5-19 27,557 belt skipped upon hard acceleration.
Replaced belt.
About 19k miles so may be best to replace @ 16k as recommended by Zero (NOTE: This is a 2016 DSR)
I purchased the bike used @ approx 1 years old & 2.8k miles on the clock.
The first belt lasted less then half the span of the second as it had to endure two adolescent behaviored riders whereas the second one only had to endure one somewhat more mature rider.
I don’t baby my belts (until they send out warning signs of their impending failure).
That said, when the first belt sent that signal, I immediately ordered its replacement yet still managed to drag race an ICE rider which ended its life (so much for my self control).
I WISH I had the new/wider design.
LunaCycle sells a kit to upgrade to the wider belt: https://lunacycle.com/zero-motorcycle-wide-belt-sprocket-conversion-kit/
Giacomo
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I've got a '16 DS with ~49k miles on it. I replaced the original belt (still intact, except for a few missing teeth) at my 2 year service with 27.5k miles on it. I replaced the second belt at 17k miles of service life after I snapped it under wide-open-throttle at 30mph, no bumps or tires breaking loose.
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I've got a '16 DS with ~49k miles on it. I replaced the original belt (still intact, except for a few missing teeth) at my 2 year service with 27.5k miles on it. I replaced the second belt at 17k miles of service life after I snapped it under wide-open-throttle at 30mph, no bumps or tires breaking loose.
Does the 16 ds have the narrower belt?
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LunaCycle sells a kit to upgrade to the wider belt: https://lunacycle.com/zero-motorcycle-wide-belt-sprocket-conversion-kit/
Giacomo
Awesome :)
My only concern is can the motor & rear axle bearings handle the additional tension?
I know that my motor bearing gets noisier with slightly excessive belt tension.
The 17-on has a much wider tension range so perhaps this will acomadate pre 17 bearings???
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Does the 16 ds have the narrower belt?
Yes.
Belt width increased on 2017 models (not sure about the FX).
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Yes.
Belt width increased on 2017 models (not sure about the FX).
I don't think they changed the belt on the plain "S" model and a couple of others, but I am not sure.
I know the DS ZF 6.5 went to a wider belt in 2017. It uses the same belt as my 2017 SR 16.3.
-Don- Reno, NV
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I posted this because I have seen a few messages about belts breaking. But since few will post that their belts have not given any problems, I decided to ask here.
I have come to the conclusion that the drive belt is a lot more reliable than I previously thought.
It looks like I have no reason to convert to a drive chain, as belts breaking early is not the norm. I was thinking the drive belt was likely the very first item to be a problem, but perhaps that is not the case.
Thanks to everyone who participated.
-Don- Reno, NV
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~10K on my DSR with the original belt (traded), no problems
~2K on my SR/F so far
Steve
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Yes.
Belt width increased on 2017 models (not sure about the FX).
I don't think they changed the belt on the plain "S" model and a couple of others, but I am not sure.
I know the DS ZF 6.5 went to a wider belt in 2017. It uses the same belt as my 2017 SR 16.3.
-Don- Reno, NV
Accordi g to my 2017 manual, every bike except the S model got the bigger belt. Not sure why!
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On my 2017 dsr with 8500 miles, ive noticed micro-cracking on the outside of my belt around the small pulley. Not sure if this is normal or if I should start worrying.
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There are slits in the top layer. I assume to help it wrap around the pulleys without cracking.They are at regular intervals (about 1cm or so) and perfectly straight across the belt. Got a pic of what you are seeing?
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Yes.
Belt width increased on 2017 models (not sure about the FX).
I don't think they changed the belt on the plain "S" model and a couple of others, but I am not sure.
I know the DS ZF 6.5 went to a wider belt in 2017. It uses the same belt as my 2017 SR 16.3.
-Don- Reno, NV
Accordi g to my 2017 manual, every bike except the S model got the bigger belt. Not sure why!
It has been my observation that the S model tends to get any leftover parts from previous years, until they are used up and then it will get the newer versions. As an example, the Power Tank installed on my 2018 S was the lower-capacity previous model, while the SR version got the higher-capacity PT. Later, the 2019 S models then received the new "larger" PT.
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On my 2017 dsr with 8500 miles, ive noticed micro-cracking on the outside of my belt around the small pulley. Not sure if this is normal or if I should start worrying.
I notice the same on my 2017 DSR belt. I noticed it a couple of thousand miles ago. So far, all still okay.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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There are slits in the top layer. I assume to help it wrap around the pulleys without cracking.They are at regular intervals (about 1cm or so) and perfectly straight across the belt. Got a pic of what you are seeing?
The cracks are too small for my camera to see, but they go across the entire width of the belt between the ribs.
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I found a magnifier app that's really cool. Here's a pic of the micro-cracks.
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Dumb question - Is this issue normal on other belt bikes like BMW or Harley? Or is Zero just special?
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Dumb question - Is this issue normal on other belt bikes like BMW or Harley? Or is Zero just special?
The belt on my Harley is supposed to be replaced at 75,000 miles (120KM). It's a very thick belt. They have been known to break, but I don't think it is a common thing to happen within that 75K miles. Still a small rock or whatever can get between the sprocket and the belt and do damage at any time. Kinda like a flat tire can happen at any time.
BTW, even drive chains and drive shafts have been known to break. I had bolts break off inside my BMW drive shaft a few years ago, at the flange.
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.
Forums make all makes and models of bikes seem unreliable for that reason.
For an example, the Triumph Trophy SE forum makes me wonder when my gearshift bolt will break just like this forum makes me wonder when my belt will snap. There are several reports of such happening, but the countless people like me who have never had the TTSE gear shift bolt break or have a Zero belt snap, normally don't bother to mention such in these forums.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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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?
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
See here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8mr1sVyCRU) for more info.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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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. (https://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=114) I keep one in my RV, in case I am on a RV trip with my Zero 6.5.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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I would think storing the spare belt in a sealed platic bag would increase shelf life.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
Translates to:
"with the first belt I traveled 1400 km, it broke and landed abruptly after a jump, while the second is still mounted and I traveled 23000 km, hopefully continuous for as many km"
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My belt ingested a pebble as I was WOT leaving a brewery parking lot. The pebble shot through the belt from the pulley side and tore the belt half down the width in that section, but the half I had still got me home without breaking. It was cogging pretty bad in sport mode if I accelerated quickly--otherwise I was only aware of it from a slightly different belt noise. Glad I checked and I was very surprised it didn't break. Happened at 8000-10,000 miles, can't remember exactly. Now I keep everything I need to change a belt on me on the road. Sucks you have to remove the swingarm...
16SR ZF13
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My belt ingested a pebble as I was WOT leaving a brewery parking lot. The pebble shot through the belt from the pulley side and tore the belt half down the width in that section, but the half I had still got me home without breaking. It was cogging pretty bad in sport mode if I accelerated quickly--otherwise I was only aware of it from a slightly different belt noise. Glad I checked and I was very surprised it didn't break. Happened at 8000-10,000 miles, can't remember exactly. Now I keep everything I need to change a belt on me on the road. Sucks you have to remove the swingarm...
Which model bike?
It looks like we do NOT have to remove the swingarm on the SR/S and SR/F, so that is a major improvement on those models.
-Don- Reno, NV
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updated. 2016 SR so last model with the skinny belt. So I have some faith in the belt as I still have never had a true "break", but I don't want to get stranded.