Aftermarket Belt Guard Needed!?

[VyperNation]

Trying to evaluate the need for a aftermarket lower belt guard on stock Sidewinders to lets say max 240hp tunes. As I understand most bigger tunes runs higher risk.

I wouldn't even consider running a brand new stock sled without one. It just isn't worth the risk. Blew my 1st belt on the 2018 when it was new around 300 miles. What a mess. Ended up having to be towed back. I have had a few different belt guards, but I have to say, the Precision EFI belt guard is by far the nicest. It pains me to say that, and it is the only product of theirs I will ever recommend again given that they blatantly copied one of Travis' designs from Barn of Parts.

 

[Turboflash]

Agree with those who state belts failures are not always because belt is too hot. I too have a Razorback IR temp gage but that only tells me current belt temp and, if it ever gets too hot (which it never does) then I can let off. My belt temps on Stage 3 are usually only 160-170 while on flipper hard.
I made my own full-circle belt guard (6061-T6 alum) - wraps around front and back, completely surrounds clutch and belt. Easily removable. See pic.