PRICE IS USD
Zero maintenance belt drives have been readily available on production motorcycles since 1981.
- Quiet
- Smooth
- No chain snatch
- No more adjustment issues
- No oily mess
- No carrying chain lube on a trip
- Lighter than the chain set
- An industry standard belt that you can buy worldwide
- Lower long term cost due to extended belt and pulley life when compared to a chain drive.
A nice smooth, quiet ride, with no mess or fuss. The most common rider comment is on the smoother ride, and effortless gear shifting. This is most noticeable in on/off throttle moments, with a lack of chain snatch in transition from being fully loaded to no load.
THE BELT:
RSTech uses an industry standard, Gates 14mm pitch, high torque, Poly Chain Carbon GT belt, that is readily available from Gates Dealers worldwide. As the name suggests, this belt uses non-stretch, high strength, carbon fibre cords resulting in a belt with a greater tensile strength that the chain it replaces.
EFFICENCY:
Described as a positive drive system, the belt teeth engage with the pulley similar to that of a chain, resulting in a very efficient method of transmitting torque. The old adage that a belt is less efficient than a chain is not the case with these modern positive drive belts running at 95-98% efficiency.
Properly lubricated chains running at the higher surface speeds seen on a motorcycle, tend to throw off the oil due to centrifugal forces, making it difficult to maintain proper lubrication at the load bearing. Consequently, chain drives are typically only 92-98% efficient. That performance degrades as the chain wears.
For all practical purposes, a properly maintained, oiled, quality, new chain running on new sprockets, and a properly tensioned positive drive belt, are the same efficiency. Chains do not stay new nor oiled in real life, and an old, or dry chain, and/or worn sprockets, is a different story, with the belt showing greater efficiency.
WEIGHT MATTERS – A lot:
“Simplify and add lightness” is often attributed to Colin Chapman of Lotus fame, and adding weight is the last thing you want in motorcycle design - more so when that weight is un-sprung, and a heavy rotating mass on the wheel, negatively affecting both performance and handling.
RSTech values the importance of a properly engineered rear pulley that “adds lightness” and is not only less than half the weight of a cast steel pulley, but results in a final drive system that is lighter than the chain set it replaces, thereby improving the handling and performance of your bike.
Adding lightness costs more than a steel casting, and the lightweight rear pulley is a work of art that you will be proud to have on your bike. Fully CNC machined from a solid billet of 7075-T6 aluminium (the same hard alloy used for sprockets), and then Type III hard anodized black. Not just a simple cosmetic coating, this results in a durable, hard, wear surface With a hardness in the mid 50's Rockwell C, in addition to the hard alloy substrate.
No heavy, steel casting on the front pulley either. The front pulley is engineered to be lightweight, and fully CNC machined from a billet of high tensile steel, and then post machining heat treated for durability on the spline drive. Rather than a cosmetic paint finish, we use a low phosphorus nickel plating for corrosion resistance, and additional wear resistance over that provided by the hardened high tensile steel substrate.
GEARING:
See sidebar for technical information and gear ratio choices
Royal Enfield Super Meteor / Shotgun / Classic belt drive kits
You have a choice of two gear ratios when buying a RSTech belt drive kit. Most riders, prefer the "16T" gearing on the SM and standard gearing on the heavier Classic, as a good all round ratio, with lower engine speed on the highway, and a cruising rpm in the meat of the torque band.
The SM stock factory gear ratio is 2.6:1 with the “16T” higher ratio at 2.5:1. The 650 Classic is a rather low 2.8:1. While the Classic seems a lot steeper geared at first glance, the taller tyre height largely offsets the gear ratio difference.
Gearing is a bit confusing with a larger number being lower (steeper) geared – 2.6:1 is lower than 2.5:1
A lower gear ratio will accelerate quicker, but theoretical top speed will be lower. At highway speeds the engine will be spinning at a higher speed, and depending how fast you are riding, you may not want to work the engine that hard for very long.
A higher gear ratio will accelerate slower, but (theoretical) top speed will be higher only if you have the HP to pull the gearing. Engine rpm at highway speeds will be lower than stock. Unless you are wringing its neck, it is unlikely that you will notice a significant difference in acceleration due to the higher gearing.
The Enfield 650 engine has modest torque and horsepower, so gearing becomes a compromise between acceptable performance, with a tolerance for higher rpm to keep up with motorway speeds.
Given that max torque is at 5150 rpm and max hp is at 7250 rpm; how does this math translate into seat of the pants riding:
Super Meteor Classic
kph/mph Std. Higher Std. Higher
90/57 3880 3660 3850 3590
100/62 4330 4060 4280 4020
110/68 4760 4460 4680 4410
120/75 5180 4870 5110 4800
130/81 5610 5270 5540 5190
140/87 6050 5670 5970 5630
While the higher gearing affect is modest, it is of benefit in lowering engine speed, and related wear.
