Is this system unique to Yamaha or do other manufactureres also have it and besides belt wear what are the advantages?

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: rockrider

Yamaha uses a wet clutch inside the motor in conjunction with the belt drive. The belt is always engaged as opposed to how a Polaris ATV or snowmobile belt drive works. Yamaha has a way better system since the wet clutch (submersed in engine oil) is what takes up the engagement rather than the drive clutch spinning up and squeezing the belt to take off. I've towed small vehicles around my yard with my 450 and never burned a belt. I was very hesitant to buy a belt drive ATV but my Yamaha dealer for the past 20 years told me he has only sold 10 replacement belts since Yamaha went to the system and I took the chance. I've not had any problems and love the auto for mud, technical riding and hillclimbing. Just punch it and go!</end quote></div>

Odd thing is Yamaha does not use that system on there 150hp snowmachines, have the drive clutch squeezing the belt like everyone else.

 

Yamaha was the first to use it and now Suzuki uses a very similar system. I'm not familiar with Kawi's belt drive or Bombardiers. I'm guessing Arctic Cat's is the same as Suzuki and Honda doesn't use belt drive.

The advantage to Yamaha's system is it provides compression braking when you let off the throttle. The early Polaris quads used to free wheel when you let off the gas but they now have some type of system to provide compression braking. Kawasaki gets there but does it differently and Honda's doesn't work below something like 7 mph.

Some guys put down belt drive systems but if you do submerge your Yamaha in water, you only need to pull the drain plugs on the belt case, rev the motor a bit, replace the plugs and the belt will be dry enough to get you going. The Honda's system is similar to an automobile automatic trans so you don't want it to get contaminated with water.

TLC,
I don't know why they don't use the wet clutch feature on their sleds. It seems to me that it would be awesome and really cut down on burned belts. You'd think they'd offer it on the utility snowmachines at least.

 

I dont have the ability to look into PM's but it can be done. Time will tell on this one.

 

Should be interesting.