Ride it home or?

[Triple J]

Why do auto manufacturers recommend 5yrs./60K for the timing belts on a car? The duc belts are made of the same material, so why can't they get the same lifespan? Because Duc dealers want to take $3-500 out of your pocket every 2 years. I'm changing mine at 5 years, well actually 6 years as I will be doing it at the end of the riding season. I've talked to several non duc  bike and auto mechanics and they agree that the belts should be perfectly okay for at LEAST 5 years.

The belts on Duc engines are bent into tighter radii than car belts...and they spin faster. This combination makes them wear out faster. The consequence of one breaking is also much more severe on your Duc.

...but I agree with most everyone, in general mileage is more important than time for belts. I would change them every 12K though.

[junior varsity]

agree with Triple J, if your belt fails on your bike, the sudden change in bike performance could lead to a crash. I like the mileage rule better if you don't stick with the recommended intervals. I would believe that the recommended intervals factor in heavy track use on the superbikes where the revs are high constantly. if you poke around town the wear and tear on the belts should be less.

[trpletme]

Thanks for the tips.  Any tips on what stand to get and do I need any special tools to adjust the chain?  Thanks.....

[Popeye the Sailor]

Why do auto manufacturers recommend 5yrs./60K for the timing belts on a car? The duc belts are made of the same material, so why can't they get the same lifespan? Because Duc dealers want to take $3-500 out of your pocket every 2 years. I'm changing mine at 5 years, well actually 6 years as I will be doing it at the end of the riding season. I've talked to several non duc  bike and auto mechanics and they agree that the belts should be perfectly okay for at LEAST 5 years.

So....by that same line of reasoning, I should not change my moto tires until at least 30K because that's what my car gets?



A bike is not a car. They are not used the same, nor should they be treated the same.

[trpletme]

Point well taken.

[Howie]

Why do auto manufacturers recommend 5yrs./60K for the timing belts on a car? The duc belts are made of the same material, so why can't they get the same lifespan? Because Duc dealers want to take $3-500 out of your pocket every 2 years. I'm changing mine at 5 years, well actually 6 years as I will be doing it at the end of the riding season. I've talked to several non duc  bike and auto mechanics and they agree that the belts should be perfectly okay for at LEAST 5 years.

Most of these cars have larger pulley diameters, don't rev to 9K, and are not air cooled.  Where did the $300-500 figure come from?

[junior varsity]

it was a much larger range $3-500. So it pretty much covers all maintenance.  HA!

[Loyalizer]

So....by that same line of reasoning, I should not change my moto tires until at least 30K because that's what my car gets?

A bike is not a car. They are not used the same, nor should they be treated the same.

On my first Monster a 2006 620, which In bought in 07' I didn't have to change the front tire until after 28,000. They were Bridgestone BT56. The rear was replaced three times within that mileage, but thats only because a nail was responsible  for one those changes.

[trpletme]

Holy @)#*!   The best  ive gotten out of tires on my Thunderbird Sport is 6600 ( Metzler  z6's). The bike does weigh 500 dry. The Avon Storms that I have on it now look like they may give me about 10,000 miles. 

[gregrnel]

No, a bike is not a car. All I'm stating is that Ducati's recommended service interval for belts is far too conservative with a 2 year period. If you live in a state with only one Duc dealership, most of the time you will pay 2-3 times for the same service when compared to a place where there's competition. I was quoted $850 for 6K service on a 620, the belts were an extra $300!