[NMKawierider]

This topic is a place for folks to post information and experiences with Drive Belts. It will be for all models so be sure to mention what model it was used on along with other information like the manufacturer, price, where you purchased it and most important, your experience with it. With so many different makers and prices out there this thread help folks with the decision making process when it's time for a new belt.

We also welcome actual data on belts which is also most valuable as even though a belt is listed for a machine, it can or will have different specs from the OEM that change how it functions with the clutches.

Thank you. 

[murdo]

Checked the belt on my CF500 at 2,000Km and looked like new. Have not done enough on my V5 scootercycle to be worth looking yet.

[emersonsc]

Wanted to provide some info for all those who are interested, then I'll post another regarding my experience.

Belt Dimensions:

OEM:
36.8mm x 969

Gates 40G3691:
36mm x 968

Dayco XTX2261:
36.3mm x 970.8mm

[emersonsc]

I had used the gates belts on my personal machine, and found that the belt was a tad too short (as you can see by the dimensions) and a bit narrow. Now, being short, the belt was causing some top end issues. When I sent my machine to STM for the clutches, I had sent it with an OEM belt AND a Gates belt. They had originally used the OEM belt for mock up, and initial tuning. Then, when they went for some trial runs, they switched to the Gates belt because it was a brand new belt. That belt caused them all sorts of issues. The shifting was off, the top end was off, and after several runs, the clutch sheaves had some abnormal wear. They eventually look up the dimensions of both and found the gates was too short (1mm DOES make a big difference believe it or not).

The abnormal wear was caused by the hardness of the Gates belt. The made new sheaves, used the OEM belt, and hadnt had any issues since then.

I dont have any experience with the Dayco, how ever, the dimensions are also off on that belt (too narrow, too long) so i personally would not even bother.

[ACIDICJO]

Wow this sucks. I was hoping to switch to a Gates belt when the time came. Mostly for $ savings.

But I guess it's always best to stick with your OEM belt. But man that's disappointing. 

[Pacific Eagle UTV]

That's great advice emersonsc. There's a few reasons why your belt wont last and one of them is the wrong size. Too short or long & too narrow or even wide. As pointed out above, your belt just needs to be slightly out in sizing for it to fail before it should. Get the size wrong and the heat will eat your belt by friction. Heat is your enemy. If you control the heat in your belt, it will outlast what its rated for. If you've got the right size belt & your belt is still getting too hot, it will get weaker faster still. That will happen if you are running hard for long periods or even slow cruising that will still create too much heat.
When your engine gets hot, you have a tool to warn you and you prevent damage to your engine by the actions you take. That tool is called a temperature gauge. The first addition you should make to a brand new or near new UTV is a UTV Belt Temperature Gauge. If anybodies interested we have them for $149.99 for the gauge, sensor & cables. If you want to run hard all day long without the fear of burning out your belt then we have a kit for that too called a CVT Belt Cooling System with a big 240cfm blower fan to keep you belt cool. You can adjust the temp that the gauge turns the blower on at. These go for $289.99.

[emersonsc]

That's great advice emersonsc. There's a few reasons why your belt wont last and one of them is the wrong size. Too short or long & too narrow or even wide. As pointed out above, your belt just needs to be slightly out in sizing for it to fail before it should. Get the size wrong and the heat will eat your belt by friction. Heat is your enemy. If you control the heat in your belt, it will outlast what its rated for. If you've got the right size belt & your belt is still getting too hot, it will get weaker faster still. That will happen if you are running hard for long periods or even slow cruising that will still create too much heat.
When your engine gets hot, you have a tool to warn you and you prevent damage to your engine by the actions you take. That tool is called a temperature gauge. The first addition you should make to a brand new or near new UTV is a UTV Belt Temperature Gauge. If anybodies interested we have them for $149.99 for the gauge, sensor & cables. If you want to run hard all day long without the fear of burning out your belt then we have a kit for that too called a CVT Belt Cooling System with a big 240cfm blower fan to keep you belt cool. You can adjust the temp that the gauge turns the blower on at. These go for $289.99.

NICE!

Very interested in these

[thewind60]

today i install the new belt which is the gates.
now one thing i can tell all of you out there, my first thought was that i will replace the belt and will save the old one as spare.....
you will never ever be able to replace the belt in the field. i needed to take both primary and secondary pully to take it out and thats sad!
for the gates, i will do few rides and i will update but so far so good.
Thx
 

[NMKawierider]

today i install the new belt which is the gates.
now one thing i can tell all of you out there, my first thought was that i will replace the belt and will save the old one as spare.....
you will never ever be able to replace the belt in the field. i needed to take both primary and secondary pully to take it out and thats sad!
for the gates, i will do few rides and i will update but so far so good.
Thx
 

Good that you have it back together. Let us know how the Gates works out.

[ACIDICJO]

today i install the new belt which is the gates.
now one thing i can tell all of you out there, my first thought was that i will replace the belt and will save the old one as spare.....
you will never ever be able to replace the belt in the field. i needed to take both primary and secondary pully to take it out and thats sad!
for the gates, i will do few rides and i will update but so far so good.
Thx
 

Good that you have it back together. Let us know how the Gates works out.

I thought one the longer bolts off the belt cover would open up the secondary and loosen the belt allowing it to come out? That's the way it works on a Can-Am, considering all the similarities that would be hugely disappointing if CFMoto didn't think to keep that easy. That means we'll all need a torque wrench just to change a belt. 

[Cosmosdan]

Yep the secondary opens up with a screw towards the center.

[thewind60]

i did try it... but the Belt didnt come out since there are 2 spacers the ones that the long bolt get into which prevent the belt from going out...
thats sad!

[locknload]

I smoked my belt this weekend, 15 800 ex. When  I started to winch out it couldn't move the machine so I hit the throttle trying to spin the tires to free it up and forgot that I had the diff lock engaged. The winch was pinning down the front end so my bad!!! Anyways started back down the trail and there was an awfull noise coming from clutch area, kind of snapping, banging noise, I limited the speed under 25 cause it got very loud as speed increased and limped back to trailer. Pulled the clutches and the only thing I can find wrong is just the major flat spot on the belt. Any one else experience this? Am I missing something? I have flat spotted belts before on my snowmobile but never experienced any kind of noise. I am replacing it with an OEM belt so hopefully all will be good once my new belt gets here. By the way local dealer wanted $370 for a belt, call the place where I got my machine (400 miles away)and they quoted me $265 and gave me 20% off and shipped it for $5 and threw in a half dozen plastic push pins, very happy, great dealership!

[NMKawierider]

Wow..what a rip-off. Most OE belts in the rest of the world are under 130. I think I am going to try this one first when the time comes.

https://www.amazon.com/Gates-Drive-ZForce-CForce-40C3691/dp/B01COA7YGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465956495&sr=8-1&keywords=40C3691

[locknload]

Ya I had no idea they were that expensive when I bought my machine, I am going to get a spare so maybe I will look into that one also. I also asked both dealerships about tools so I can torque my clutches cause I haven't had time to make any and they both told me they impact them on cause cf moto doesn't supply any clutch tools for removal or installation!!!!!  The place I bought it from said they were able to modifiy a tool they use for the can ams, interesting!  China needs to step up their game