Timig belt question for the racers out there - Ducati.ms

silvertdi · Mar 13th, 2012, 10:16 pm

I'm getting ready to change the timing belts on my 999R and am wrestling with the age old belt question. Should I use OEM or aftermarket? I've seen the videos of the aftermarket belts and they seem impressive. I don't know whether to trust my bike to aftermarket belts, but if they are just as good...why spend the extra money. What do you guys run? You're riding at redline under high loads nearly continuously, what's the word in the pits. Thanks.

94CobraR · Mar 14th, 2012, 4:58 am

Wrong section for this question but aftermarket belts work just as well.

Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app

hugo stiglitz · Mar 14th, 2012, 10:30 pm

aftermarket is supposed to be just fine.

Ritter · Mar 14th, 2012, 10:54 pm

I would recommend California Cycleworks.

911f · Mar 16th, 2012, 12:53 pm

I just went through this with my 999R. In fact I bought the exactfit belts for it. The day after I received them I had second thoughts and ordered stock belts from ducati. I just put the stock ones on.
The exact fit are well made and almost exact replica. FWIW, in closely examing the new OEM from new exact fit the only diffrence I found was the exact fit seems a very small bit thicker (not wider, thicker) in the belt portion, teeth and spacing seem the same, and the teethed surface is rubberized vs. the OEM. Otherwise exactly the same spacing etc. What any of that means in terms of longevity, stress etc I have no idea.

Second FYI, comparing a droid phone with application 'gstring' and to a device to measure belt tension with an external microphone I got exact same consistent readings.

I still have the exact fit belts in a bag.

94CobraR · Mar 17th, 2012, 10:03 am

So OP, buy Bill's belts that are still in the bag. Sure he'll make you a good deal.

silvertdi · Mar 18th, 2012, 11:24 pm

Thanks for the advice. I bought the exactfit belts before I got the email from 911. If I had only waited another day. I sure appreciate the offer.