[roy_ryall]

In the Feedback section Dodger wrote

"Let's get rid of that gear driven final drive on the AN650 and replace it with a belt drive.

It's quieter.

It's maintenance free.

It's cheaper to produce (maybe you could lower the price??).

It's quieter."

I moved this to the general section because I wanted to respond and get some other opinions.

Dodger, I would respectly disagree.

Quiter - I do not remember the drive gears being loud, is the slight whining from the drive gears or the transmission?

maintenance - you do need to change the oil in the final drive, but you have to replace the belt on belt drive scooters

cheaper - maybe.

I think a belt drive would produce vibration into the bike and would change the smooth running character of the 650.

Any other opinions?

 

[Brian]

There is a definite "song" created by the gears, especially noticable during deceleration, but I don't find it particularly annoying. With a bike as quiet as the Burgman, being a little quieter wouldn't make much difference...if a belt would actually be quieter.

Smoother? Depends on how well it's executed. I'd actually prefer a shaft drive myself.

Less expensive. Dunno. I'm not an engineer nor a CFO at Suzuki.

My opinion? If it ain't broke, don't "fix" it.

 

[drspencer48]

My vote is for the gears.

Had a shaft drive bike for years. Rear would raise on acceleration, had to change the oil also.
Never had a belt - but heard lot of stories about replacement. What is the life span of the gears?

Noise. This is a mechanical machine. This bike is as quiet or quieter than my BMW boxer.

Keep it like it is.

 

[pauljo]

The life span of the gears has got to be longer than that of a belt. I think the gears should last for the life of the scoot - a belt would probably need replacement at 20 - 30 thosand miles. Belts are also very sensitive to alignment - they have to be perfectly straight. This would be an issue at each rear tire change.

The gear whine is not a big deal - just a characteristic sound of the machine. The diesel noise at idle is not so nice, but I can live with it. I've had good luck with shaft drive bikes, but there is more power loss with a shaft, and additional weight - not something I'd want with the scooter.

The gear drive is actually the best possible setup.

 

[allwalk]

What is this gear whine/song/noise. I can't hear anything on mine! I tucked in behind the windshield and all I hear is this extremely low drone of the motor.

 

[pauljo]

Um... Allan. The earplugs... Take out the earplugs...

Seriously, I don't notice it all the time, but I have once in a while.
I think I tend to filter out the "normal" mechanical sounds.

 

[BS]

I've used "drive shaft" bikes since the early '80s and without exception all were subject to drive shaft jacking/slapping; particularly noticeable when beginning agressive acceration/deceleration.

"Belt drives" are subject to stretching and therefore, periodic adjustment/maintenance; at least that's what my Harley friends say.

I'll stick with what currently works; give me the gears and the "whiney song."

 

[Dodger]

Well, I guess I've got a lemon. My Burgy has got to be just about the noisiest bike I've ever ridden (except maybe for a Vincent). The engine rattles and clatters at speed, the final drive whines to the point of distraction and then there's the "diesel" at idle. If it wasn't such a blast to ride ----- :lol: . I've had bikes with belt drive and found them much quieter than a chain, no oiling required, never had a failure (the manufacturers claim they will last for 40,000 to 60,000 miles) and I never had to adjust one. I thought it would be a good alternative for the Burgy, certainly better than the gear arrangement (five gears, five sets of bearings, aluminum case, all those seals, etc). If that thing fails, who's going to pay the bill? :roll:

 

[pauljo]

If that thing fails, who's going to pay the bill? :roll:

Same person who's going to pay the bill if a shaft drive fails.... That happened to a friend of mine with his BMW K75T a couple of years ago. His repair cost was about $2000.00.

 

[SilverBurgie]

I would have your bike checked out. This really seems to be bothering you so I surmise that there is a defect in your scooter. I didn't notice a whine until I got rid of the wind noise by installing a Clearview XXL. When cruising, the very gentle whine accompanied by the pulse sound of the exhaust is rather pleasant. It is a song like many describe. While mine isn't loud, being behind the screen does amplify the mechanical sounds. The whine is louder on low speed decceleration (sp?) I think it sounds kind of cool when it does that. My friends comment that they cannot hear the Burgman as I pull up. I noticed it too when my friend rode it. As he pulled up, the thing was way more silent then when I'm behind the windscreen. Still the thing is quieter than most motorcyles I know.
As for me, I'll keep the gears. Given proper maintenance (a super easy long interval oil change) the gears and bearings should last the life of the scooter. To me this is a very simple setup. It's execution makes it seem more complex than it really is. As for "all those seals", how many are there? I would think there is only an input shaft and output shaft seal. No different than a shaft drive unit.

 

[Brian]

Well, I guess I've got a lemon....The engine rattles and clatters at speed, the final drive whines to the point of distraction and then there's the "diesel" at idle.

Uh, are you sure you have oil in there someplace?

Really. It shouldn't be that noisy. You should be able to drive slowly (10 -15MPH) up to a person standing alongside the road without them knowing you're there until you're almost on top of them.

 

[allwalk]

I totally agree with the previous posts. Take it in and get it checked out. Mine is one of the quietest bikes I've ridden......and I don't use earplugs Mine is probably noisier at idle with the diesel sound .