So far i only know that the belt drive is quieter, less to maintain and easier to fix then the shaft. So it came down to three bikes.Honda shadow spirit 750 (shaft drive) , suzuki m50 (thats about 800 cc)and a kawasaki 900 . What cruser would you prefer out of those 3 depending on reliablility and performance. If you guys can please answer those 2 questions I'll appriciate it.
2007-11-21 12:05:02 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
The shaft drive is heavier, very quiet and a little less effecient at transfering power. Grease the shaft splines every time you change the rear tire and it'll last forever. Regardless of the maker, shaft failure is about as rare as a you being struck by lightning (except for the Suzuki Cavalvade that is). My KZ1000 shaft has 112,000 miles and is still good as new (I've inspected it). They do have a tendency to raise the rear of the bike up when accellerating hard and cause it to swat down some when decellerating. The longer the swing arm the less noticable. The Kawasakis display this behavior very little buy I remember the Honda CB 900 has a very short swing arm and it was very pronounced.
Belt drive makes a little noise, but nothing like chain drive. It's as effecient at transfering power as a chain, is lighter than a shaft and have an excellent record for long term reliability. When one breaks, it's definately as rare as a shaft drive failing. They use Kevlar for strength, the same stuff found in bullet proof vests.
Why are some bikes shaft and others belt? Most belt drives are used on bikes that were orginally designed for chain drive but need the reliability of a shaft such as touring bikes or bikes designed for the rider who knows little to nothing about maintenance. As far as the three bikes you mentioned, don't worry about which type of final drive they have and instead choose based on whether the bike's size, weight, comfort level and looks suit you personally.
2007-11-22 07:41:46 · answer #1 · answered by bikinkawboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maintenance on shaft drive is a moot point; I think they last longer than the bike. Belt drive is slightly more efficient, maybe quieter,but exposed to the elements. I have no preference. I currently have an old Honda 750 and am considering trading up to a spirit 750 or Kawasaki 900 the Kawasaki has fuel injection which is a plus. Hard choice.
2007-11-21 17:35:14 · answer #2 · answered by luther 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With my bike that had a chain, I lubed it every 500 miles. The current bike is shaft, and hardly no maintenance at all. Do feel a difference in taking off on the bike. The chain, seemed I got a faster get up and go. Where the shaft seemed to drag a bit and go. If that makes any sense. I do like my current bike, and have no complaints on a shaft drive.
2016-04-05 02:37:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Honda Shadow 750 is the best!
Suzuki has problems with their C50 and M50 shaft spines chewing up cause the splines are NOT greased from the factory, its a $1200 repair if you fail to remove the driveshaft and install a moly grease to the splines.
The belt drives make me think of the belts they use on the Harleys, the Harleys are always broken down in the middle of nowhere with a broken belt.
Yamaha claims their belts are made better and stronger than the Harley belts and their belts won't break, they claim the reason why the Harley belts break is because the guys over-tighten the belts. I don't know
2007-11-21 18:00:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Besides the obvious that has been pointed out by others, another consideration is the efficiency. Motorcycles with belt drives tend to deliver slightly better fuel mileage then shaft driven models. That's my personal experience having owned both types. Also the belt drive is cheaper to replace/repair then the shaft. I currently own a Honda Shadow, VT1100, shaft drive. Its a great bike, I have no regrets buying it.
2007-11-21 16:19:11 · answer #5 · answered by orwell 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had a number of shaft drive bikes...one thing to remember if you buy one. Make sure the mechanic properly cleans and greases the hub where the shaft assembly fits into the rear wheel. Of all the shaft drive problems, this is the area that most commonly gives problems due to dirt, water, rust, etc. Change gear lube in the final drive every 25K miles...
2007-11-22 03:39:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drive shaft is nearly maintenance free, and quiet. No one ever throws a bolt or rock through one as sometimes happens with belts.
Belts transfer power to the rear wheel more efficiently.
Hondas have never left me on the side of the road.
2007-11-21 20:05:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
shaft drive is smoother power delivery (no chain or belt slack). You won't get that jerky feeling if you suddenly let go of the throttle. a lot of BMW bikes are shaft drive. It's not bad technology.
Belt is ultra-low maintenance. No lubricating it, and cheap to change. Also doesn't have gears to wear out.
Of those 3, I like the Shadow.
2007-11-21 12:15:48 · answer #8 · answered by Chris R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well a belt drive transfers power to the wheel using a rubber belt and a shaft uses a driveshaft similat to a car
2007-11-21 12:13:55 · answer #9 · answered by me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, BMW motorcycles used to get 80-100,000 miles on a driveshaft. THose were standard bikes, the air-cooled twin. Have you considered one of those?
Cheers,
Jon-Lars
2007-11-21 13:56:30 · answer #10 · answered by Jon-Lars 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋