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12-23-2006, 05:55 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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FNG :)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 27
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Shaft vs. belt driveline
Always wanted a motorcycle, but the wife has never agreed and with a second on teh way, it's sure a lot harder to try and sway her views, lol.
Anyways, i've always wanted a Harley and probably starting with a Sportster, but lately i've also been lookeing (while dreaming really, lol) or possibly getting a VTX, Boulevard, or Vulcan model instead.
I've noticed some use a shaft setup instead of a belt, is there any benefit, downside to doing so????
Thanks.
Figure i'v egot lots of time to reasearch....20+ years before the kids are moved out and the wife will let me get one, lol. So i'll have lots of knowledge by then.
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12-23-2006, 07:27 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Scary Paranoid Loonie
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: so ca
Posts: 9,680
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There are benefits to a *** bike, but you won't have a Harley, no matter what you do.
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Last edited by route66paul : 12-27-2006 at 10:16 AM.
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12-23-2006, 08:31 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Seasoned Rider
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: 3rd house on the left, just south of Gawler
Posts: 62
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benefits of a shaft over a belt:
never EVER need adjusting, unlike those pesky belts where it gets adjusted every time you fit a new tire
never EVER damaged by small stones if you spend a lot of time off-road on your 600lb cruiser
nice n heavy compared to those weiner lightweight belt drives
look terrific if you are excited by big silver pinion/crown cases
cause interesting up/down variations in the rear suspension when you have to back off unexpectedly coming into a turn
gives a nice audible reminder you have found the next cog (clunky)
please take all the above with a "small" grain of salt but rest assured i can honestly say I would never choose the shaft over a belt.
even BMW has started using belts...what more can I say?

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12-23-2006, 11:34 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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IronButt
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 401
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Nothing wrong with either belt or shaft. You choose the bike the like and ride.
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2006 Road Glide 95"
HD Stage II Big Bore
SE 203 cam
SE air kit w/K&N
V&H true dual headers
Rhinehart Eaglebeak exhaust
PCIII USB w/custom map
SE 6 speed
HD premium oil cooler
Chopped tour-pak
Ultra style lowers
Clearview windsheild
Chubby pullback bars internally wired
Braided lines
82.49hp
91.29ft-lbs
Bi-Xenon HID lights
Hogtunes upgrade
Kuryakyn driving lights
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12-24-2006, 12:15 AM
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#5 (permalink)
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IronButt
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Grand Rapids Mi.
Posts: 158
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I feel like the shaft bike rises when you get into the gas. its just weird. 
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12-24-2006, 09:06 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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Premium Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Western NY
Posts: 438
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I had a shaft drive for a couple of years & never had any issues with it. It was not noisy or "clunky" & I never had any handling issues. I can confirm that when you get on the gas hard, the back end does raise up - Had a good freind in a truck next to me when I punched it & he verified it.
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12-24-2006, 11:50 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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IronButt
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wherever the Army sends me
Posts: 287
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Both systems are pretty low maintenance. There is a slight power loss when using a shaft drive system, as well as the effects it has on handling as has been mentioned here.
Harley was pretty much the pioneer in using belt drive on motorcycles, and it has proven to be a clean, reliable and low maintenance way of turning the rear wheel. I think it is superior to shaft drive overall.
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12-24-2006, 04:48 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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IronButt
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Maineville, Oh.
Posts: 819
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The shaft handles the 120 HP Vmax just fine.
I don't have any complaints about it. Just change the oil in it about once a year.
I have owned three bikes with shaft drive. never had a noise issue or any kind of failure.
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12-26-2006, 12:26 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Lighten up!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 593
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I love shaft drive, but if you have always wanted an H-D you probably should get one.
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Honda VTX 1800R
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12-27-2006, 03:27 AM
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#10 (permalink)
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Retired
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Lansing,MI.
Posts: 1,355
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When I rode my son's VT1100,I hardley noticed the shaft drive.
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Bill H. UAW LOCAL 652 Retired
'04 Impact Blue FXSTI.
Stage1,SEIIs,fork brace,mini tach,windshield.
I want to die young at a very old age.
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12-27-2006, 10:05 AM
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#11 (permalink)
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Premium Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 240
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The word "Shaft" says it all.
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12-30-2006, 06:23 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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2006 FLHXI - Badass Black
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: McHenry, IL
Posts: 50
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I got rid of my VTX1800 because of the shaft drive, mainly. I did not care for it. I was used to belt drives and much prefer them. Nothing particularly wrong with the shaft drive. I simply did not care for the way it handled, raised the seat when you got into it and weight/looks.
Personal preference. I prefer belts.
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01-26-2007, 11:37 AM
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#13 (permalink)
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Seasoned Rider
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: http://www.tughilltomorrowlandtrust.org/region.htm
Posts: 38
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Both
Both systems are good.
Less maintainence on the shaft but more expensive when it breaks.
When you give it the gas the rear end rises which is GREAT 'cause it gives you more ground clearance.
I used to use that to my advantage when I rode BMW's.
Realy,the rear end jacking is more of a comment that applies to old BMW's & Guzzi's 'cause they had SHORT swingarms and the movement would radically mess with ground clearance and steering geometry.
A modern bike is much less prone to being upset by the shaft drive system.
JJ
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01-27-2007, 02:12 AM
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#14 (permalink)
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IronButt
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Smyrna, Delaware
Posts: 300
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I have had both, the Shaft drive with my Volusia, and the belt drive with the Road Star. I haven't had any issue with either! As another member said, find a bike you like, and let that be the least of your worries!
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01-27-2007, 06:49 AM
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#15 (permalink)
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Premium Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: alabama
Posts: 5,924
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by VIP
The shaft handles the 120 HP Vmax just fine.
I don't have any complaints about it. Just change the oil in it about once a year.
I have owned three bikes with shaft drive. never had a noise issue or any kind of failure.
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when did vmax drop to 120 hp?
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