Aftermarket belts ?

High Voltage

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Helena, MT

• Nov 12, 2017

• #1

I have used some aftermarket belts in the past, and noticed a couple hundred RPM loose. Is this the same as saying that I'm loosing horsepower? We spend thousands trying to gain a few hundred RPM, so is it foolish to run an aftermarket belt? Thoughts?

 

winter brew

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LakeTapps, Wa.

• Nov 12, 2017

• #2

Softer belt compound will result is fewer rpm, harder belt more rpm. Clutch to the brand of belt you choose.

 

High Voltage

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• Nov 12, 2017

• #3

I guess the real question is if you are loosing RPMs are you in sence loosing some HP? I know you can reclutch to it, but is one loosing some performance?

 

turboless terry

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Big Timber, MT

• Nov 12, 2017

• #4

If you don't have your rpm then you don't have all your hp. That is why he is saying clutch to the belt you are going to use. If you are clutched to one belt that is harder and switch to a softer belt you will be down on power if you don't get your r's. If you do the reverse of that you will be down on power because you went over where you were designed to run. As long as you have your target rpm it shouldn't matter. Then it is a matter of slippage and durability.

 

P

powdermuncher

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Yukon Canada

• Nov 12, 2017

• #5

Last year I had to buy a Gates belt in AK -- no doo ones available. So far so good it lasted well and no difference at all in RPM. Not nearly as much adjusting through brake in as the doo belt.

 

H

H20SKE

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• Nov 12, 2017

• #6

My .02 from experience. ..

Low hp sleds, fine. ..high hp sleds..not so good.

That's all...

 

B

bnorth

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• Nov 13, 2017

• #7

I had to buy a gates carbon last year as I blew one on Christmas Eve. It performed like stock and held up well. If you are losing rpm the belt is likely slipping less so you are running more efficiently and should have cooler clutches. Engine will be down on power from peak rpm so clutch to get back to peak power.

 

sledking120

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• Nov 13, 2017

• #8

are they 17 and 18 belts the same? if so what are the belt numbers for the gates carbon belt.

 

High Voltage

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• Nov 13, 2017

• #9

Just ordered 2 from Amazon at $88 a piece and free shipping. Was the last two for that price thou Gates part # 49C4266. Same for 17 and 18s.

 

F

FearMyWrX

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• Nov 13, 2017

• #10

New 2018 BRP Belt is 417300531.

MSRP $189.99 and difficult to find a ‘deal’ on. Expect to pay $160+

I can’t speak to the quality of this vs the gates, I just know there were some “improvements” to the new 2018 belt over the 2017.

 

White Rad

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WA to B.C.

• Nov 13, 2017

• #11

Every belt failure I had on my 17' started with the cords pulling out. Take a brand new overpriced Doo belt and check the sidewalls you will likely find the cord standing proud. It's a flawed manufacturing process to have a continuous cord when they get cut there is always an end to unravel and the cord is not flush. The gates belt uses a carbon band and it wears at the same rate or slightly faster than the rubber so the sidewall stays clean. I Had great luck w the gates belts. Plus if they do blow you don't have to spend an hour Cutting strings out of your clutches they disintegrate into a million pieces you can shop vac out later. And then there is the principal of the matter after I spent $2k on Doo belts without a single one being warrantied it was time to stop supporting the company that caused the problem !