Royal Enfield Interceptor Belt Drive - Review and test ride

[@martinholt2844]

Ive had quite a few Harleys over the years and I loved the lack of maintenance and splatters of oil, this has to now be on my list of upgrades for my Interceptor!

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Please let me know if and when you do. 🙏

[@YouMotorcycle]

Cool that you got to talk to the guy who makes them. Nice video

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

🙏

[@YouMotorcycle]

Cool that you got to talk to the guy who makes these. Good video.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thank you. Yep, Robert is a very knowledgeable and talented guy 🙏

[@johnalleman1134]

Fitted the RSTech belt drive kit to my Interceptor. Fantastic quality and fit. Very happy with the way it performs. Highly recommended!

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Good to hear. Thank you🙏

[@allwiinoz5803]

Thanks so much ... although I'm very jealous ;) Being able to live in Thailand and pursue you interests (and riding a lot) is PARADISE :) But hey, I have the advantage to get a belt drive for my favourite bike (and I love the belt drive since I had my Yamaha 1600 ages ago)

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Good to hear you are enjoying the belt drive. It’s not all joy and happiness living in Thailand. But being able to ride a motorbike every day certainly helps 😂🙏

[@GapBahnDirk]

The belt drive is appealing. I am tempted to ride one of my Interceptors to Chang Mai.....

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Send RSTech and email using the link in video description. I’m sure they’d be happy to see you. 🙏

[@johnharris7353]

This is great news!

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

👌🙏✅

[@chrispulham4779]

Well done SIR!

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

He is a clever boy 😂

[@lancerbiker5263]

Next best to shaft drive for sure. He would sell many more if it could be engineered for the 350. Cheers 🍻

[@MrBoehol]

In my opinion is belt better than shaft drive .The shaft drive have allways some play in the many gears with "klonky" gear shifts . The belt has no play at all .All my bikes have Belt drive nowdays .I do not go back to chain or shaft drive . Regards 😊

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I never experienced belt before. But the difference is huge and addictive 😁🙏

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Sadly Robert won't make them. He's looked into it and the maths don't add up. The front pulley would be too small and too tight a turn for the belt's recommended range. Probably the reason so many bad reviews about belts in India.

[@lancerbiker5263]

@Teacher-T-Thailand I understand, but still have to "keep the faith " lol. Thanks.

[@volt8684]

Had belt drive bmw f800. Also a few shaft drives. I really rate belt drive. Had it on scooters and so easy to maintain, no snatch and relatively little maintenance

[@B0M0A0K]

Very interesting interview.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thank you. Even better next week when Robert unveils all his modifications. A very knowledgable man 🙏

[@RoyalEnfieldHunter]

in india beltdrive costs around USD190

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

For the Meteor 350 maybe, bit not the 650. I don't think you have it available yet?

[@rover100bunson]

liking the 450gms less weight, that you don't ever need to carry around any more

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

The rear silencers are 5kg each when I weighed them 😜🙏

[@BlackdogADV]

I think I need to move to Thailand now!

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

A lot of us do. Every day is a biking day. 🙏

[@frederickwoods5943]

Some inaccuracies here; the stock 650's ratio is 2.533:1 NOT 2.5:1. The stock 2.533:1 ensures that the chain/sprockets don't "repeat" every 4 turns, the running sequence is purposely mixed-up to prevent a harmonic. That may or may not be problematic with a belt opposed to chain.

[@warrenhancock5742]

10,000ks so far.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

You are correct, but to be honest. I put Robert on the spot. An impromptu interview. and for the sake of viewing retention, talking about 0.033 decimal places is not essential. But of course he fully knows the ratios. Thank you 😁

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Yep, not a lot, but the oldest and most Km's on one of these kits. So the best i can do for a few years ;-)

[@frederickwoods5943]

Teacher T Thailand: you missed my point; at an even 2.500:1 the chain sprockets (or belt cogs) at 2.5 or 2.375:1 repeat the same rhythm or wear-pattern over and over, an infinite ratio like 2.533 rarely repeats so it shares the load/wear ... I have PM'd Robert about the disc brake upgrade that he pioneered, considering it for my 2020 Interceptor.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@frederickwoods5943 I got you now. I am not so knowledgeable about such things. He was saying a favourite mod was to swap out the original front sprocket to a 16 tooth. Surely the decimal places would still be there in the ratio? And for belt I don't think it is as important. Next Fridays Video goes into more detail on his front brake.

[@RoyalEnfieldHunter]

i appreciate if you arrange a video for Royal Enfield Hunter 350

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I will look into it. 🙏

[@RoyalEnfieldHunter]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand thank you

[@moroccanlooser6305]

nice

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thank you 🙏

[@giannidallemolle705]

There is a belt drive kit also for the classic 500? I would take it immediately, eventually got the Monkey too 👍👍👍

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Not from RSTech sadly. 😂

[@LifetimeBiker]

Great job , Thank you. Is the "Chainguard" left off for a clearer view or does it just not fit with the belt ? From a riders perspective it does not bother me but some pillions may feel it a concern. Appreciate all the effort that has gone into this , Fantastic job. If I go down the SM650 route it will certainly be on my list of things to get. 🙏👍🙂

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thank you. No chain guard included. Robert calls them stone traps. But I’m sure there is a way of making one if required. Maybe a future video from me 😂🙏

[@LifetimeBiker]

Thank you@@Teacher-T-Thailand

[@rover100bunson]

interested in how he has the rear shocks set up

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I will ask and add in the video next week about all the mods on the bike 🙏

[@ekimandersom4478]

Do they have a kit for the classic 500 ?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

RSTech sadly,not. They do have from India, but I don’t think the quality is there sadly.

[@666Kudos]

It is sure smooth, but I believe there is a power loss element on INT 650 and belt drives. Can this be confirmed with a Dyno run...? I would love to see that information, as no reference of such comparison is on KZbin...

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

To be honest I don't see the point on a 650 cruiser. It's not like it's a high performance bike you are riding flat out all the time. I certainly have not felt any power loss on the Interceptor or Continental I have ridden. Just the lack of chain snatch and smoothness of acceleration. If there is a loss, it's minimal.

[@robertstraghan9009]

The statement that belts are not as efficient as a chain is not true with these Gen 4 curvilinear toothed belts. From the Gates Engineering manual: “PolyChain® GT® Carbon® belt drive efficiency will be as high as 98%. This high efficiency is primarily due to the positive, no slip characteristic of synchronous belts. Since the belt has a thin profile, it flexes easily, thus resulting thus resulting in low hysteresis losses as evidenced by low heat buildup in the belt." and "Chain drives running unlubricated may generate significant heat buildup due to increased friction in the roller joints. Even properly lubricated chains running at higher speeds 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." While there is lots of Gates marketing fluff out there, the Gates manual I referred to is an engineering design manual rather than propaganda. The "elsewhere" references I can find are either KZbinrs with questionable engineering credentials, compaqrison with bicycles, or general statements about belts or V-belts, and not specifically about these Gen 4 belts. Here is an unbiased US Dept of Energy report giving that 98% efficiency, and comparing to V-belts www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/04/f15/replace_vbelts_motor_systemts5.pdf And a technical paper of chain VS belt with the same result: core.ac.uk/download/pdf/55693235.pdf

[@robertstraghan9009]

Likely several reasons why you cannot find a direct back to back run, on the same machine, same operator, and under the same conditions comparison. While an inertia dyno is relatively repeatable, any efficiency difference will be questioned given the nature of the dyno, and how HP and TQ are calculated (not directly measured). Then how to compare? - new chain and sprockets, old chain and sprockets, how old, oil/no oil/little oil, what oil, belt tension, equal bike tie down tension, consistent operator throttle operation etc..... all these factors would raise questions on the validity of any such comparison.

[@uweyaa]

👍👍👍!

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

😄🙏

[@TroyJPerez]

Any fuel efficiency change from the chain to the belt drive?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Belt does seem to be better fuel efficiency on long trips, because lower engine rpm

[@TroyJPerez]

You went with the modified gear ratio though right?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@TroyJPerez yes. Lower rpm. Smaller rear pulley. Equivalent to a 38 tooth chain sprocket conversion ,,🙏

[@MrYaremchuk]

Will it fit on new shotgun 650?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Yes it will 🙏

[@hemantv.5409]

Everything is fine only price 😢😢

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

It is top end quality as belt drives go. 🙏

[@robertstraghan9009]

The belt cost is fixed, and quality components, manufacturing in small quantity, and post machining surface finishing comes at a cost. In all fairness 600 USD is a very good price compared to other quality belt conversion kits to fit my Bonnie.

[@silverback3926]

Cant wait to hear how he did tubeless tires and would like to know about his seat

[@facelessn0mad]

It's a great price considering the quality.

[@danielleclare2938]

There are lightweight chains so the 5 lbs is not accurate also chains use less power to rotate than the belt drive. Belts are for holding up your pants. Chains are one of the cool gizmo parts of a bike.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

As we said in the video. Horses for courses. A personal choice. 🙏

[@robertstraghan9009]

Not sure what you on about with 5 lbs? While a V-belt is less efficient, your contention that chains use less power than a curvilinear Gen 4 synchronous belt is simply not true. From the Gates Engineering manual: “PolyChain® GT® Carbon® belt drive efficiency will be as high as 98%. This high efficiency is primarily due to the positive, no slip characteristic of synchronous belts. Since the belt has a thin profile, it flexes easily, thus resulting thus resulting in low hysteresis losses as evidenced by low heat buildup in the belt." and "Chain drives running unlubricated may generate significant heat buildup due to increased friction in the roller joints. Even properly lubricated chains running at higher speeds 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." While there is lots of Gates marketing fluff out there, the Gates manual I referred to is an engineering design manual rather than propaganda. The "elsewhere" references I can find are either KZbinrs with questionable engineering credentials, or general statements about belts or V-belts, and not specifically about these Gen 4 belts. Here is an unbiased US Dept of Energy report comparing V-belts with these synchronous belts, giving that 98% efficiency number: www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/04/f15/replace_vbelts_motor_systemts5.pdf And another technical paper with the same result: core.ac.uk/download/pdf/55693235.pdf

[@warrenhancock5742]

What a load of rubbish you spew. I had a chain replacement at 30,000ks and will probably need new sprockets at 40,000. I won't have to constantly clean up all the grease fling. I won't have to put up with chain snatch, cleaning and lubing it and adjusting it. Harleys have had belts for over 40 years. Less friction and they are good for around 80,00ks and I have read where people are getting upwards of 150,000ks from a belt. Belts are for holding trousers up? What a load of dribble. Time for you to spend sometime on researching belts instead of making a negative comment and making yourself look ....

[@danielleclare2938]

@@warrenhancock5742 You need to learn some manners and whatever about your riding style. Chains are not that messy and dirt happens. Harley makes a chain conversion from belt drive so whatever again. Old Harleys had chains and still do. Dirt bikes cant use belts they come off and wear out real fast etc etc. You know a lot of nothing.

[@warrenhancock5742]

@danielleclare2938 where I llive there are hundreds of Harleys, most with belt drives and they are well past 100,000ks on the original belt. Chains give snap everytime you chain gear, they are messy, they need cleaning and lubricating, they wear quick and wear out the pulleys. Manners are nothing to do with it. This is 2024, not 1964.

[@williammuir638]

RE PLEASE TAKE NOTE AND FIT AS STANDARD ON YOUR ENTIRE RANGE OF ROAD BIKES.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Sadly I don’t think they will, but they should offer it as an optional extra 🤞🙏