With SOME sleds having big issues and SOME sleds having no belt issues, even when run hard.... It would lead me to believe that this is more related to manufacturing consistency (or lack thereof) that is causing issues.
Yes, the Active vibe reduction is a great idea.... and when you wrap your head around it, it makes sense...But there are many variables that can throw it "out of whack"....
Is this causing the belt issues... No one knows that answer YET....
But I can say this, from 30+ years as a professional in the mechanical trades.... This systems complexity and its obvious reliance on strict adherence to tight manufacturing tolerances certainly could complicate things... and inconsistencies in manufacturing this system in EACH sled has a higher probability of variance than a less complicated "typical" CVT system..... When It's good... Its good... but if something is slightly 'off'.... I believe (IMO) that this new system will exacerbate belt life problems.
It is not just potential variance of the clutch specs/function and the vib reduction 'system'... it could also be a huge variety/combination of things from balance of the flywheel, to the balance of the clutch, to precise phasing of the crank, to motor-mount consistency in manufacture, to clutch component smoothness, to slight ignition/injector timing, to slight variation in Myriad tolerances required to keep this particular machine working in UNION with the vib reduction 'system'.
What ever is being counteracted needs to be as consistent as the system that actually DOES the counteracting.... for the system to function, it is a balancing act.
And, as I've said before... the clutches should not be making heat like they do... and from the accounts that I've listened to or read about.... the clutches do run hot on the G4-850's new CVT system...And this new tech, which may reduce Vibes... may also, inherently, increase belt temps.
Adding a cooling fan, airflow, and a belt that is more tolerant to higher temps is a nice 'treatment'... though I keep thinking that the heat should not be generated there in the first place (the 'cause') if the drivetrain is expected to function efficiently and get the power to the track.
It is possible that some mfg tolerances were let slip on the sleds that are eating belts...Yes.
No.... It is NOT the majority... it is significant however IMO... and NO... those that ARE having issues are not drama kings/queens... and YES, for those of you that have 1500 miles on your 2017 G4-850 original belt, that is what you SHOULD be able to expect on a $12,000.00+ sled with belts that cost as much as they do.
"BLOWING A BELT" (catastrophic failure) is SUPER hard on the engine/drivetrain/chassis. And we all know what a blown belt can mean when you are on a big pull in steep area, or a sidehill in a high consequence zone.
Also, from all accounts I've heard, BRP is very aware of customers sleds that are having issues. If fixing those sleds was an easy undertaking... they would be able to diagnose and remedy the problem, not just throw 'good will' belts at the situation.
I would really like to see, on the belt eater sleds... if the clutch is machined true, that this solves the issue... and thus could either eliminate that the vib reducing offset system is causing the problem or the issue lies elsewhere... and if the rider & sled can live with any additional vibe that may show up.
Also for ME.... 'the proof will be in the pudding' for 2018 IF... IF... actual recorded data of CVT temps are reduced and there are not Significant number of G4-850 owners that are having CVT issues and belt issues all but disappear.
.