[Ducati] 1098 pricing - (now lower maintenance costs

[frugalyankee-cycles at yahoo.com]

Brad
   
  Whats your thoughts on the belt replacement issue?  
   
  When I've replaced belts on wifes Honda Civics, they showed wear (slightly rounded cogg teeth and rubber aging). But they were 6-8 years old, exposed to much harsher environmental conditions (New England winters), lower rev's and 90,000 miles.  
   
  Had the belts replaced according to the book in 2004 on my 998.  But it had not been broken in and only had 600 miles on it.  Needless to say, the belts looked new with very little (if any) wear.
   
  Now 2 years and 1000 miles later, according to the book, its time again.  Unless things have changed that we aren't 'privy' to, isn't the Testastretta the same?  Did the factory keep the 2 year replacement as a holdout from the previous generations head which placed more stress on the belts with the sharper turns and non-Kevlar belts?  Is it time to maybe extend this replacement interval relying on the factories experience?
   
  I know some will argue its cheap insurance to replace the belts, but when one is maintaining lots of machinery every bit helps.  And it would help attract more to our marque instead of scaring them away with the 'high maintenance costs'.  
   
  PS...Chris Kelly
  Any progress on getting a Testastretta belt replacement 'white paper' out there for us home mechanics....(-:
   
  Brad
  CT.