We were having a little discusion on the trail the other day. I know that the Grizz and Kodiak use a centrifucal clutch to keep from burning one spot on the belt when the tires are not moving. What type of belt systems do the other brands use?

 

The yamaha Ultramatic, and the suzuki built cvs (not twin peaks), and the a/c cvts (suzuki built), are the same functionally.
They have a centrifical clutch, which allows idleing in gear, with out the pullweys spinning. Less noise and wear.
They also have a sprague clutch, which is what allows the engine braking. Its a one way clutch, ( basicly a roller bearing with ecentric rollers, pretty reliable and troublefree) which passes torque in only one direction....when the wheels are driving the motor, like at idle down a steep hill.
The advantages are...the belt isnt a wear item, unlike the others.. It just stays tight and alined, and transmits power with out slippage, unless it gets wet. It allows for bump starting, the other types wont. Its quieter, and longer lasting, and not as hot as the others on your leg. It allows for right now engine braking, some say better than gear driven machines.
The polaris and to a point kawasaki are very similar. The belt goes slack at idle, and that allows idling in gear. The belt is a wear item....its the clutch. Good thing,the belts are cheaper, because they go thru more of them. Engine braking is dependant on other than sprague clutch . Bump starting wont work.