[Ducati] 1098 pricing - (now lower maintenance costs

[Rich Roberts]

The thing is rubber will oxidize over time, meaning unusued left to air it will slowly deteriorate. Question is how to know how long is too long. Granted paying someone to change belts gets a little silly. And adjustments if you ask me has something to do with it. I think proper clearances are easier on belts, a little tight is harder on em I would say. So well adjusted you might get better life out of em. You would think the factory has some idea what is a good interval. If you maintain according to their schedule and belt breaks and you tear up your heads in the process it might be on their nickle. Testastrett is a little different and I think the head design is a little easier on the belts. Isn't the direction change across fixed/adjustable pulley a little less severe?  The kevlar belts have been around for ages...I think the first set of belts I bought for my 1995 were kevlar, they changed pretty early on so kevlar had been around for many years. Honda Civic not likely
 such a good camparison. When cruising at what 2000 rpms. I imagine you do not ride your Duc at twice that, more likely 3 times that and belts are shorter so if trying to compare apples to apples you would have to say your civic had 20-30K maybe to be equivalent. I would guess even lower, still a Civic has closing springs to overcome so belt sees some significant load and the Ducs clsing springs not much as a comparison.
Anyway. you need to ride that bike more, thus your maintenance expense per mile or month will go down, :)  Rich
----- Original Message ----
From: "frugalyankee-cycles at yahoo.com" <frugalyankee-cycles at yahoo.com>
To: duc <ducati at ducati.net>
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 9:57:45 AM
Subject: Re: [Ducati] 1098 pricing - (now lower maintenance costs


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.
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