At the local shop today... looked at a Vulcan 900

[jkersh]

I was at my local parts shop yesterday and a new 2007 Vulcan 900 custon caught my eye. I thought it was a lot bigger bike. Very nice I have to say. I really like the Candy Plasma Blue model. The cast front 21" wheel is really nice. The only question is do I want a belt driven bike. I have a chain drive bike now and dont like it. I have ridden shaft drives and they are nice. What are the ups and donws for a belt drive? Is maintence a big thing? Are there any owners with opinions? Thanks in advance.
http://kawasaki.com/Products/Detail....content=photos

[texrider]

The Vulcan 900's are doing well on the market, and I like mine a lot.

As to belt vs shaft vs chain, each has it's plus and minus'. There have been many instances of shaft breakage and u-joint failures. The ring and pinion gears can whine and have large amounts of driveline lash.

Belts can be damaged by debris, they can wear out and break. Most belt noises are about incorrect tension or alignment.

You already know about chains... I like them the least, myself.

I've never had a shaft system go bad, and my belt drive bikes have only needed minor adjustments.

In all, I like the belt drive look. They also give more power to the wheel than shaft layouts.

[Jackalope]

I agree. Of the three, I prefer belts.

Chains are dirty and require adjustments and lubrication. Shafts are heavy and frequently have "jacking" problems. Belts take up the shock and give a smoother ride. They aren't dirty like chains and don't require lubrication. Yes, they do have to be occasionally adjusted and they do wear out, but the adjustments are very infrequent and EVERYTHING wears out.

[omegajim]

Jackalope I agree. Of the three, I prefer belts.

Chains are dirty and require adjustments and lubrication. Shafts are heavy and frequently have "jacking" problems.

Elaborate, please. Jacking problems?

[scrimmer]

Forgive my ignorance, and at the risk of sounding stupid, but I have to ask as a newbie to a shaft drive, what exactly is 'jacking' and how will I know it when it happens on my bike?

[blackie1491]

Acceleration and deceleration is when you feel the jacking effect of a shaft drive.

You will notice it more on a sloppy shift. Sometimes you will notice a little chirping of the rear tire.

[GregR1]

jacking only happens on shaft-drives because - effectively - the shaft and housings make a fairly rigid connection between the rear wheel and the engine / bike chassis. when you hit the throttle hard or slam it shut, the transmission's output wants to spin at a significantly different speed than the wheel is going at, and that diff causes the shaft that's between the two to get "pushed" out of line (basically, the ring-n-pinion gear set wants to 'fling' the shaft one way or the other). this 'flinging' reaction causes the bike to jack up. on a belt or chain drive, the connection isn't rigid in the up-down direction so there is no way to get a jacking / lifting effect (save for a small effect from the suspension geometry / mounting points).

[omegajim]

Yes, that's accurate. But would "jacking" be a problem on the Kawasaki 900? It's more of cruiser (a bit more torque, a bit less hp).

[GregR1]

Originally Posted by omegajim

Yes, that's accurate. But would "jacking" be a problem on the Kawasaki 900? It's more of cruiser (a bit more torque, a bit less hp).

as far as i know, the K 900 is belt drive, so no possibility of jacking.

[omegajim]

so, what's the recommended interval to change a belt?

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by omegajim

so, what's the recommended interval to change a belt?

With the color of your shoes.


Brown shoes...brown belt.

Black shoes.....black belt.

[scrimmer]

Thanks for the explanations guys, now I know what the little 'chirps' on occasion from the rear wheel is all about. I didn't realize this was what was happening. Other that that, what are the detrimental effects to the bike, if any, when this happens?

[GregR1]

Originally Posted by scrimmer

...what are the detrimental effects to the bike, if any, when this happens?

i would guess that there are next to none, since the bike is basically going up and down on its suspension. the shaft and gear housing on the engine end are designed to pivot just like a swingarm - otherwise you'd have a dead-rigid setup with no suspension and stuff would break or it would hurt your arse or would have to be seriously overbuilt or .....

[scrimmer]

Thanks, GregR1.

[dcstrng]

Never had a shaft break or whine, but mine have seeped lube from time to time... Chains, in my experience, are slightly higher maintenance than almost anything else, but simple, hardy, modestly priced and generally give plenty of warning before they crap-out... belts can whine, but generally are maintenance free after the initial adjustments – downside on belt, absolutely unrepairable on the road... but all-told, not sure one has a huge advantage over the other... like oil, tires and pillions, ya make the choice and then learn to live with it...

As fer the 900... I’m thinking about getting my wife an 800, great scoots from what I hear, but never had either... may do a Softail for her instead, but who knows...