How to break in a new ATV drive belt

Breaking in the new drive belt on your ATV or UTV is important to ensure better performance and a longer lifespan. It is not the best idea to ride full speed right after you have a new belt installed, because speed creates heat. A belt that runs too hot before break-in won’t mate properly and cause slippage, or even worse, could overheat and snap.

For the first ride on a new drive belt, try riding for about 20 miles or around 30 minutes. If you live in cold weather, give your engine a little extra time to warm up. Use a low gear if possible, while varying speeds and avoiding wide open throttle. If possible, you could pull over every few miles and shut off the engine to give your belt time to cool down. A high number of flex cycles under low load while maintaining low temperatures would be ideal. 

Basically the whole idea is to flex the belt in the correct direction under low load and low temperatures. Aggressive riding during the break-in period can cause slipping by affecting how well the new belt wears in and mates to the clutch in order to grip. Your belt has a direct affect on your performance, so make sure to take it easy for your first 50 miles!

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