Timing Belts

[mysticbluex3]

I have a 09 M696.  Manual says change timing belts every 2yrs/15k miles.  Is that necessary?  I ask my local shop (very honorable and respectable guys) and they said that's a bit soon.  What do you guys think? I mean the belts on cars last 100k miles.  I'm assuming bike belts are made from the same stuff?  So why such a frequent change?

[Raux]

go by the manual, if they break, your motor dies. if the shop says don't change them, get it in writing so when it breaks, they will fix it

[rule62]

change 'em

It's not that expensive or difficult.

[ducpainter]

The reasoning behind the more frequent changes is pulley diameter.

The small pulleys supposedly stress the belts more.

I've run belts longer than 2 years. I don't recommend doing it because the consequences of a broken belt can be catastrophic.

[mysticbluex3]

The reasoning behind the more frequent changes is pulley diameter.

The small pulleys supposedly stress the belts more.

That makes sense.  Smaller diameter pulley means the belt will bend at a smaller radius.

[mysticbluex3]

Any recommendation on brand/type and place to buy?

[ducpainter]

Any recommendation on brand/type and place to buy?

You could buy from any of our dealer sponsors if you want OEM, or ca-cycleworks has an aftermarket belt that many have been happy with.

[DesmoTull]

+1 for the CA Cycleworks belts

[Desmo Demon]

The reasoning behind the more frequent changes is pulley diameter.

...and rpms. Not many cars are constantly run at 4000-7000+ rpm as their daily opertion. Most cars are rarely over 4k and a Duc rarely is under 4k.

[desmodoktor]

Any recommendation on brand/type and place to buy?

exactfit timing belts from ca-cycleworks.. u cant go wrong...
few weeks ago i replaced the STOCK belts of my 02 M750 with exactfit belts from ca-cycleworks....
the bike has only 9k miles.. and the belts were in excellent shape. so in my opinion u shouldn't go by how many years they've been there,
you should be based on how many miles u have on them and how hard was/is the bike ridden ..  (thats what i think) 

[Raux]

materials deteriorate with time.
put strain on that deteriorated item... snap

[caperix]

Belts are cheap insurance.  Most ducati shops will have a piston with a valve sticking out of it to show you why you should replace them.  I run the CA cycle works belts on both my monster & my 848.  No problems to report, they fit just like the stock belts.  For the price they can not be beat.  If the 696 is like the other 2 valve monsters changing the belts should not take more
then 1 hour.

[xcaptainxbloodx]

I view belts (and helmets for that matter) the same as I view tires.  you change them when they get too worn regardless of mileage, you change them due to age regardless of mileage.

nobody would think  that running 10 year old tires would be acceptable, but I see guys wanting to do track days on 12 year old helmets without a second thought and guys scowling at the idea that they would need to do belts on an 02 m750 with 900 miles.


if you dont like the idea of replacing something due to age the answer is simple, ride the shit out of your bike so you have to change them due to mileage