Some of us like the high pipes!
seriously though - I'm in New Jersey and we're not exactly known for our great weather or superior road conditions - I'd ben interested to know where your buddy lives! the open belts still seems like a roll of the dice to me
I ran open belts in Washington, D.C. and have taken them through some serious rain and other sorts of not so great conditions. Belts have always held up and never had an issue. Have even run open clutch, etc.....Never a problem there.