Good quality belts in an ATV will enhance the performance of the ATV. No matter what your riding style is and where your ride, if you follow the owner’s manual, use low gears in low speed situations and not using putting your ATV on gear while idle will ensure a longer belt life. In this article, we’ll look at how long does ATV belts last, signs that indicate belt replacement and what type of belts to use in your ATVs.
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How long do ATV belts last?
Generally, branded ATV belts last for a long time, if you follow the riding guidelines mentioned in the owner manual properly. If maintained properly, belts can last between 3000-5000 miles.
When do you need to replace your ATV belts?
If you ride only on the weekends for fun, it is recommended to replace the belt once in 3 years. For people who clock more than 8-10 hours per week, they need to get their belts changed every year. And if you are professional ATV racer, then it is highly important that you keep a constant eye on the belts and change it after 2-3 races.
Apart from preventive maintenance, there are factors that need to be considered to replace the ATV belts. When you notice belt slippage, then it is time to replace your belts immediately. At times, you can see the top of the belts eroded, that could be due to the constant wear of the belts. This also indicates a belt replacement, or it can largely affect your horsepower to a great extent. Even leaking oil and other contaminations can reduce the life of an ATV belt.
How to increase the lifespan of an ATV belt?
One of the common mistakes that rider do that will decrease the lifespan of the belts to a great extent is letting the ATV in gear while it is idle. It is not a big issue, if you are stopping for a minute, when your ATV is idle for a long time and also in gear, it means the belt is not moving but the clutch is spinning on the belt. It creates a lot of friction and heat on the belt and will drastically reduce the performance of the belt. It is always better to put your ATV in neutral, even while you are stopping for a short time.
Another problem with riders, especially people using the ATV for the first time, unknowingly use higher gears on low speeds that will cause a lot of load on the belts. When you are climbing up a hill in a higher gear, it means you are transferring heavy load on the gears and will eventually burn the belts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which is the best ATV belt? Aftermarket or OE?
A: Belts recommended by the manufacturer are specially designed for casual and recreational riders. They are not generally preferred for high-performance or aggressive riders. Aftermarket belts are specially tested in tough conditions and withstand the wear and tear to a great extent.
Q: What is the function of a belt in an ATV
A: The major role of an ATV belt is to transfer the power generated from the engine to the transmission.
