I have a 2004 sportsman 500 and just crossed the 1000 mile mark. This weekend was going for a ride and all of a sudden my belt went. Does that sound right to you guy's? Just seems like a belt should last a little longer. I am just glad it happened a few miles from the cabbin and not deep in a swamp.

 

It's probably age more than miles in this case. Rubber breaks down over time. It's not out of the question. Another thing that robs belt life is going slowly with the gear shifted to high range. It's best if under 10 mph or so to keep it in low.

 

After 4000 miles my wife burnt her belt coming up a mountain in high behind me, she knew better. Both of our '02 500HO's belts lasted well over 3500 miles. We do mountains and sand, no swamps and little water or mud.

 

My machine is used hard and is usually at slow speeds hunting in high gear. I have over 2600 miles on my '03 600 and still have the original belt. I would make sure the clucth isn't out of adjustment causing premature wear.

 

1,000 miles per belt is not bad.

 

3000 miles on my 2006 450 and still same belt(so far will be taking the cover off to check everything out under there)....before next spring...Caper..........

 

well if you go by polaris, they claim the belt is a life time warranty, meaning that it should last pretty much unlimited milage. i'm guessing something was not right or the belt didn't get broke in correctly or got burned/overheated. imo

 

IMO after a 1000 miles its time to change the belt if your looking for all out performance and durability. Yes you can get a lot more miles on a belt if your drive nice. The more miles you get on a belt the narrow it will wear which will loose top end speed and start out in a higher gear ratio within the clutches. Also the belt will stretch longer which will cause delayed take off and slower response. The biggest thing is how and where you drive. The harder you play the more your gonna have to pay. I have wrecked a belt within a 100 miles and have some last over 2500.

 

There a few factors that go into belt life, primary clutch alignment, how often clutches are cleaned, and of course the big one, how the ATV has been abused. We all know that Snow plowing has huge effects on a belt, same with large loads/pulling a trailer, and running mud bogs, etc. I recommend cleaning the clutches often and making sure the primary is aligned properly. This will extend belt life greatly, I have 3000 miles on a '07 Sportsman 800 X2, and the belt is within tolerances stated in Poo manual, and I get into the clutches at least 2x's per year

 

Very true! Cleaning and maintaining is a big key to not only save the belt life but also the even more expensive clutches. Unfortunately most ride em until there is a problem and then it cost a lot more fix. Clean clutches are happy clutches and happy clutches live longer.