2fat4moto-just call me Superman.Sure didn't mean to strike a nerve dude.Everybody has a different riding style and high gear happens to suit mine.If I have to replace some parts because of it then I'll just have to do it.The 650 is an awesome machine and I'm glad to see so many other people get a thrill out of em.I'm gathering up all the parts right now to do some nice performance upgrades.Can't wait to open up that V-twin and let it breath.It should be awesome.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I hear so much about belt issues such as squeeling and grooving of the primary sheaves that I just had to add my 2 cents.
I employ the same riding style as partsman2 such as coming out of the hole in high, jamming it as hard as it will go and keeping it there as long as reasonably possible over and over again with the last 800 kms on 27x10 and 27x12 mudbugs.
According to what I read my sheaves or at least belt should be shot by now.
My converter system has had none of the above mentioned ailments and I feel it is because of a few things that I may have done early on for preventative maintenance.
At 300 kms(185 miles) I measured my belt deflection to find it right at max spec at 1 inch.
I Removed one of the two shims in the secondary pully to bring it a little better than min spec.
Every 200 kms I blow all dust out of converter system with compressed air.
Since removing the shim from the secondary I now have a little more than 1800 kms(1100 miles) on it and I am still well within max deflection. This leads me to believe that the belt had to stretch as part of normal break-in.
Kawi has put together one sweet a$$ hauler which will naturally be harder on things like belts but with some reasonable care I believe that most problems can be avoided.

 

I agree with PrairieDust, after the initial stretch the belt after break in, if you adjust the delection to min. setting (0.87&quot and blow the all the dust out of your converter every 200m, you will not have any problems with the clutches. Preventative maintenance is the key here, I have 2300miles on mine so far without any noticeable wear on the clutches......MJSTX

 

Cool! You guys are making me feel alot better. I thought that me using high was what caused my belt to start squeeling. I guess it makes sense that the initial stretch like a chain on any machine is what was going on. I just decided to read manual when I started having problems a while back & that is where I got the using low range from. The dealer removed one of the shims & replaced the other one with the correct size to get the right deflection. It has not given me even the slightest problem since. I guess I will start hauling a$$ in high, but if it starts squeeling again, you guys are gonna get it! LOL

 

Hey on a slightly different note..anyone else notice how loud the tranny is on these..is that normal..its not real bad just damn annoyingand kawi can keep that engine brake ..that is a serius pain in the ***.

 

Don't know what you're talkin' about? Never noticed anything in particular. Anyone else have any problem?

 

Every 650 I've heard has a very distinct tranny whine for lack of a better word.My buddies tell me when they hear that coming up behind them they get out of the way.I don't see it as a problem.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

A little off subject but good info - after reading the posts from PrairieDust and MJSTX I decided to pull the cover off the drive system and check it out.Using compressed air I blew everything out really good.There was a lot of rubber dust from belt wear but looked like normal wear to me.The sheaves on the pulleys were in great shape and the belt looked good.The big thing was that I pointed my air hose up the air intake and you wouldn't believe the stuff that came out of there including a mouse nest.The intake opening is apparently unprotected and mine couldn't have been getting much cooling air.Bearman was mentioning a filter system he was working on for the 650.Put me down for one when they hit the market.Prior to cleaning it out I had an issue with a high pitched squeal when idling in gear.My dealer told me it was normal and due to dust and grime and that cleaning it may or may not help.When I put it back together I rode around the driveway a little and checked for the squeal and it is gone.I'm going to do some hard riding Sunday and will report back as to whether it is still squealing or not.This is good PM to perform and eased my mind about some of the concerns with this drive system.Sorry for the long winded post but thought you would want to know[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]