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Malossi drive belts?

Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:44 am
by Taipan
Hi All,
I picked up a Sh300 at the weekend and the guy recently serviced the transmission and fitted a Malossi belt. Having had some disastrous results with Athena belts and one other make of aftermarket belt, I was thinking of putting a Honda one on instead but thought I'd search to see what Malossi belts were actually like first, thinking, they make performance kit so their belts must be half decent? Searching on here I only found one incident of a Malossi belt snapping and google doesn't seem as keen as me to say they are no good. Anyone have any experience of Malossi belts? Is my paranoia misplaced?
TIA

Re: Malossi drive belts?

Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2020 2:41 pm
by SH125Paul
What happened to the 4 Max?
I would go OE...
Mitsuboshi - Yamaha... Bando - Honda....

Re: Malossi drive belts?

Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2020 5:42 pm
by Taipan
SH125Paul wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2020 2:41 pm What happened to the 4 Max?
I would go OE...
Mitsuboshi - Yamaha... Bando - Honda....
Never really gelled with it. Don't think it was the best example tbh, but it was very vibey until you got over c50mph. Always seemed too heavy for what it was? Anyway, its gone now and I'm happily back with the mighty SH300! :D

I've always gone for OEM since trying an athena whilst waiting for my OEM belt for my Nexus to be delivered. The athena literally lasted about 300 miles? Just keep thinking if Malossi make performance variators etc then if their belts were no good, the internet should be full of tales of woe about them, but I couldn't find any?

Re: Malossi drive belts?

Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2020 6:24 pm
by capitano
A quick, and by no means exhaustive Facebook trawl brings up Malossi belts being fitted on Piaggios, Yamahas (including UK T Maxs) and assorted other CVT scooters, seemingly without issue.

Re: Malossi drive belts?

Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2020 6:35 pm
by Deleted User 7077
If its newish I'd leave it just keep eye on it .

Re: Malossi drive belts?

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 4:30 am
by Symcity
Once you have doubt it’s hard to shrug off - get yer hand in your pocket laddie and stop being stingy - you know it makes sense 😉

Re: Malossi drive belts?

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 11:19 am
by MrGrumpy
I've heard not great things about Malossi belts, but don't ask me for specifics! They claim to contain Kevlar bands, but the bands are longitudinal, but the belt wears transversely. Or so I'm told!
I understand most OE Japanese belts are made by Mitsuboshi, though I'm not aware of a good source

Re: Malossi drive belts?

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 12:16 pm
by Taipan
Thanks for all the replies. Think i'll run with it until spring is well and truly here and working on the bike is (almost) enjoyable again and then I'll stick my hand in my pocket and put a Honda one on there and keep the Malossi as a spare. :)

Re: Malossi drive belts?

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 12:22 pm
by Deleted User 7077
If search belts for your scooter on Italian ebay usually find Mitsuboshi branded ones without honda, yamaha,suzuki piaggio branding on them. Postage a bit more but usually works out cheaper overall .

Re: Malossi drive belts?

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 11:13 am
by Taipan
Has been maxi tours wrote: Tue Feb 25, 2020 12:22 pm If search belts for your scooter on Italian ebay usually find Mitsuboshi branded ones without honda, yamaha,suzuki piaggio branding on them. Postage a bit more but usually works out cheaper overall .
Thats interesting, thanks. I never knew who actually mad Hondas belts!