New 8DN belts and durability

[AttakDog]

Has anyone else noticed a difference in the durability of the old 8dn belts compared to the new updated ones? I used to go 2,000 miles and change them just because. Now in the past 2 years (the little bit of this year) I have grenaded 3 belts with less than 2,000 miles on both the RX1 and Attak. Nothing else has changed on the sleds and I keep the clutches cleaned and aligned. I still have the original springs in the clutches maybe it's belt slip in the secondary creating too much heat? I know they said the belts are just a bit wider, but I was curious if anyone has checked the durometer of new vs old. These belt failures have been catastrophic, twice requiring secondary removal to get the belt parts out and 1 primary seal replacement from belt parts. About 8,000 miles on both sleds. Anyone else seeing this issue????

 

[07 GT]

Ive always run the 8DN belt on my 07 Apex. On the first belt when the sled was new I got about 3200 miles on it. I changed it just for piece of mind because it was starting to show some signs of wear.

Ive only exploded a belt once and that was on my SRX because I had the vent holes in the hood blocked off because of powder, so it got too hot and boom! I haven't noticed any difference in durability other than like you said the new belt is a little bit wider than before.

I break in a new belt for about 25 miles being very gentle with it. After that drive it like you stole it!

 

[Yamahammer485]

Yes!, theyre junk

Have blown several so far, 4 I think

And never blown an ultimax, no matter how many kms on it.

 

[AttakDog]

Never ever have I blown a 8DN until last year! Which ultimax belt is being used and whats everyone else's thoughts?

 

[Yamahammer485]

I like them for the clutches running cooler and the belt not slipping, but I think it throws off my clutching and some people say they dont last long....

 

[Lester]

somethings up with the belts,dont last anymore,,,maybe different compound

 

[AttakDog]

Anyone else? How about the drag racers?

 

[KnappAttack]

I've had good luck with the new 8DN-01 belt. I think its better than the 00 as far as performance. The 01 is 4 MPH faster on my trail sled in back to back testing. Never seen such a gain in belts before. Obviously something is different other than the .020 wider width and the slightly longer length. I only have about 900 miles on it though. It's wearing very good to this point, just like the 00 belts would also. I really like the new 01 belt. Have not blown one yet. Now that I think of it, I've NEVER blown a Yamaha belt.


I can't say the same about the Ultimax XS. I have 2 sitting on the shelf that shift as inconsistent as all get out. They wore down to unusable in less than 100 miles as far as I'm concerned. They made a whole bunch of belt dust in those 100 miles too! Only good for a spare in my opinion.

 

[tomanytoyz]

make sure you clean the sides of the belt with a brush and simple green or other really good cleaner and let dry for a day before install,theres mold release compound on these belts when new = slippage/dirty clutches also break it in about 50mi,don't keep it wide open to long.i've always had good luck doing it that way never blowing a stock mitsubishi belt NEVER! i drive my sled hard been a great belt to me,i blew a DAYCO belt last year with only 1500mi on it,i'll never buy a dayco agian~

 

[lowboy]

i agree with mike better top end ultimax has a spare andi do run the lakes for 10plus miles wot not a issue

 

[Blue Me]

I use an Ultimax III I like it better than the overpriced XS which the compound is way to hard. As for the III it grips real nice and hard and I have it on for the second season (2400 miles last year and bout 800 this year) I use the 8Dn as a spare

 

[DLXB12Ss]

I just picked up an 06 Apex, it is running a 8DN-17641-00 belt. I have a bunch of new 8DN-17641-01 belts for my SRX's and '11 Vector. Can I run the 01 belts on the Apex?

 

[blevis213]

I just picked up an 06 Apex, it is running a 8DN-17641-00 belt. I have a bunch of new 8DN-17641-01 belts for my SRX's and '11 Vector. Can I run the 01 belts on the Apex?

yes