belt drive, chain drive?

[XBChuck9]

Our amazing bikes come belt driven. The Erik Buell Racing bikes are all chain driven. I've also seen a chain drive conversion kit. Why the difference? What are the pro's and con's of each drive type?

 

[mattgti]

AMA and WERA all require chain. Plus if you through a belt at the track there is a lot more to do to replace it vs. a chain.

 

[xlr8n_xb]

1 pro I have is its much easier to switch gearing whether you want spped or torque. I have a used 530 race steup. its in great shape. comes with a brand new Grandstand designs 50 tooth rear sprocket. it has a 21 tooth front sprocket. also includes a srocketed chain tensioner. I will let it go for $500 or BO. i'll post pics in a couple days.

 

[xlr8n_xb]

sorry forgot to say its for an XB.

 

[brightbuell]

The belt is best for the torquey 12r's thats why Erik used them. If you had a chain it would be very clunky. There is a slight slack in chain drives. It would be a little anoying when city driving. On the other hand if you put a big bore kit and turbo on your xb12r you might consider a chain drive. I would think you will be fine with a belt up to about 110 to 115 hp. Any higher then that the belt will be at a tension point that could be puching its limits. I would guess that only about one in 200 buell xb's have over 115hp. Most of us even with all our mods have under 110hp. so in reality i would recomind keeping your belt. Erik has brought the belt system to a very reliable level for us to enjoy our bikes, that includes upgrading our belts to life time quality. If you here other wise its all hype.