How many miles can one reasonably expect a belt to last on an EBS Sportsman? What has been your experience? Is there an average?

 

Thor,
The belt life depends on many varibles, 1. the more you relie on the ebs the shorter the belt life. 2. If any water or mud get into the housing this will also shorten the belt life. 3. If you get stuck up against something and keep trying to power over it you will just about burn the belt right up. I had one belt that lasted about 550 miles and could have gone longer but I changed it anyway. I also had a belt that lasted 60 miles because i got hung up on some downed trees and tried powering through them. I recommed checking it every 150-200 miles to check for frayed edges, flat spots, or burn marks. That will also give you a chance to look inside the housing for signs of water getting into the belt area. I keep a spare belt in my tool box just in case and you will need it some time anyway. Hope this helps--see ya in the woods

 

dear Multiple,
Is this normal for EBS machines to only get 550 miles out of a belt? We have a 94 400 4x4 and it has almost 3500 miles and have never changed belts and a 95 Sport 400L with about 1500 miles and I've never checked it. I skid logs and haul firewood and manure all the time, as well as just taking pleasure rides. I know I don't have EBS on either machine, but am I leading a charmed life or are you a verry cautious person? Have you broken belts or do you just change to maintain top performance?

 

Thor, my SP500 is new but I've got 1000 miles on it in 45 days. I haven't pried off the casing to look at the belt yet, but I assume I'll need one shortly. I'll opt for a Dayco recommended by AAEN, and while I'm at it, buy a carryalong spare like a sled. Belts are just belts, they wear out and its part of owning a belt-driven transmission. I sure don't miss shifting gears one bit.

 

I have a '00 sp500 and a '00 Sc500. The other
day i took my scrambler out to my friend's uncle's land with three other guys and their 4wheelers. We ended up in one of the many half dried up lake beds. Before we knew it, my friend had his uncle's Mag425 buried almost totally over the wheels. After struggling to get it out by hand for a minute we decided to hood it up to my scrambler since it was the only other 4x4 unstuck, so we hooked it up and i hit the gas and soon noticed that the front wheels weren't spinnig, I turned to look at the rear wheels and saw that they had stopped spinning, turned back around and saw smoke pouring out of it. I knew right off that it was the belt. Fortunately it did not burn it totaly and was able to drive it back to the trailor without it breaking. As for the Magnum, we ended up getting it out with , I hate to say, a 2-wheel drive honda.

Mark G.
'00 sp500
'00 sc500

 

Mulptiple500 anwered your qustion perfectly. I also have similar experience/belt lasted 500 miles,but I lost it completely/.
I purposely abused the SP 500 to see how much abuse it takes, its capability,reliability, etc. I greased it every weekend and washed it with high pressure washer every weekend/knowing it's no good/. I submerged it every weekend /exhaust incl./ several times. I rolled it over sideways multiple times, bent the handlebars ,but started it right up, lucky me. I drove it at the speed around 50 mph 15 miles to the trail , trailrode it another 30 miles and back at a high speed./top speed 55 miles,it takes long to reach 57,always used 92 octane gasoline/ good,bad??/. This was done only few times , since my wifes Trailboss 250 and than TB 325 had a chain problem. I put 1100 miles on it over 6 months and the SP 500 performed 100%.
I failed to break it.I wish it broke giving me a reason to buy a new Kodiak. It did not happen,so I kept it. I know that 1100miles isn't much. I also know what I have put it through.

J.B.

 

Well here's my 2 bits worth. My quad will be 2 years old in March and I have just over 1000 miles on it. During one of my early rides I managed to get it stuck in some cut-off stump. Squeezing the throttle a little too slowly I spun the belt which generated a little smoke/smell. To get out of my predicament I punched the throttle and the SP walked out. That same belt is on my machine today and is working great. I intend buying a spare one as the life on my present belt has been shortened somewhat but I will only change it when the present belt shows signs of poor performance.
Under normal riding I would expect to get at least 3000 miles out of a belt.
Like I said my 2 bits.
Dave Formstone
98 SP500 EBS.

 

You guys are doing something funny to wreck belts that fast. My brother-in-law has an EBS SP500 with over 2000miles on the original belt. It's even towed trailers at over double the max weight rating and been used to rake hay. Been wet too!

 

You try stupid stuff with it in high,you'll be buying belts.You are in doubt,drop it to low gear,I've not had any problems with belts have 95 425 mag that has 4000 miles on original belt.They will do fabulous things in high gear but you'll replace belt,high is for the road and easy riding.

------------------
THE FORMER CORNCOB2

 

J.C.Baloun...you ride your Sportsman like I do, except you win the beat 'em up contest. I haven't got the right part number for the Dayco belt from AAEN yet, but will be buying one for the future.