Dayco vs. Bring More Wallet?

[DAM650]

anyone else use Dayco belt for replacement

http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating ... 150057_0_0

[Biff's R]

I got one at the dealership. There are different belts based upon build date and alternator. I actually have a short belt that won't fit on my bike although that is what came on it. long story. I didn't change the belt until 86,000 miles.

[CycleRob]

Like most riders, I checked the belt on my 2002 R1150R at every valve adjustment when the engine needed to be wrench rotated. I saw no deterioration, even at 64,000 miles (103,000km) when I traded it in for my `09 F800ST. Cars use the same type, width and grade of belt, driving the power hungry power steering pump, water pump and alternator while bending the belt the "other way" with 2 or 3 idler pulleys and they still seem to easily last well past 60,000 miles. The days of those car accessory drive belts squealing/chirping are gone because of the high quality spring loaded tensioner pulley mechanism designed to make belt changes quick and easy with only a 3/8ths drive ratchet or breaker bar. It's always at the perfect tension. Biff's R is correct in that some early/mid 2000 models had a stretchable elastic alternator belt and an overrun clutch embedded in the driven pulley.

Speaking of belts . . . my F800ST has belt final drive, which I like much better than shaft drive because of the lighter weight and zero maintenance. Almost 30Kmiles on it and it still looks new.

Back to the Dayco alternator belt for replacement . . . . If you have the non elastic stock belt and if it is the correct size, why not? It's only driving a 700Watt alternator without an idler pulley!

[DAM650]

thanks everybody

DAM

[Sunbeemer]

I put one on at 41,000 miles and it squeaked a little at start up, but it was loose and after retensioning has not squeaked in more than 16,000 miles.
FYI, I found it's a lot easier to set belt tension by double-nutting the adjusting bolt than it is trying to get to that bolt's head under the tank.

Later, I picked up an acorn cap nut (8mm?) that screws on to the adjusting bolt, screwed a short set screw into it to take up some of the nut's depth, and use it to tension the belt.