The Top 10 Best Final Drive Belt For Harley-Davidson in 2024 – (Buying Guide and Reviews)

If you are asking yourself the question, “what is the best final drive belt for a Harley-Davidson?” then you have come to the right place.

In our article, we will tell you all the things you need to know about when considering buying a final belt drive for your Harley.

In addition, we will also be giving you our top 10 picks for the best belt drives for Harleys that are out there right now.

For every one of our top 10 picks, we will list the highlighted features, pros, and cons of every final belt drive, as well as giving a more in-depth review of each.

At the bottom of our article, we will have an FAQs section. So, if you have any questions about Harley Davidson final belt drives, then please refer to that section.

Why is S&S/Gates 14mm The Best Final Drive Belt For Harley-Davidsons?

There is just no better option out there when it comes to a final belt drive for a Harley Davidson than the S&S/Gates 14mm.

It’s simply the best belt drive. It has all the positives of any other belt drive, with Absolutely no downsides.

Why is S&S/Gates The Best Brand For Harley Davidson Final Drive Belts?

S&S/Gates were once two separate drive belt manufacturing companies that decided to partner up in order to be able to produce the best quality drive belts for Harleys out there.

Even before they joined up, both of them were known for producing high-quality belt drives, and they were trusted. This is amplified 10x now that the companies merged together.

A Comparison Table of Best Final Drive Belt For Harley-Davidson

Factors You Need to Consider When Looking to Buy Best Final Drive Belt For Harley-Davidson in 2024

Before buying a belt drive for a Harley Davidson, it’s of the utmost importance that you know what you should be looking for.

In this section, we will tell you exactly that. We will tell you all the critical components that a belt drive needs to have, which in turn, will allow you to pick the best belt drive for you.

Strength

One of the essential factors for a belt drive is just how strong it is. If a belt drive isn’t strong, then it will be more prone to snapping or getting worn quickly.

Because of these reasons, the strength of a belt drive should be one of the highest priorities you should factor in when looking to buy a belt drive for a Harley Davidson.

Flexibility

The flexibility of a belt drive is significant. If a belt drive is too flexible, it’s more than likely that it will stretch too much and become inefficient or, in the worst-case scenario, not fit at all.

On the other hand, if a drive belt is too rigid, then it can make it much more likely to snap as there is no give in the belt.

This means that you will want to get a firm belt drive with a bit of giving.

Material

The material of a belt drive can affect a plethora of different factors.

For one, certain materials may cause damage over time to the other components of your bike, whereas others may actually further improve the longevity of your bike.

Linking back to our first point, the strength is also determined a lot by the material used, so it’s crucial to opt for high-quality and robust.

Size

The size is perhaps the most crucial thing you need to look for when buying a drive belt for your Harley.

Belt drives come in a variety of different shapes and sizes for a wide range of Harley models, so it’s essential to get one that is compatible with your Harley.

If you end up with a belt drive that’s the wrong size, that may just be the quickest way you can waste your time and money.

So, always make sure to triple-check that the belt drive you want to buy is compatible with your bike.

Durability

The durability of a belt drive can mean a multitude of different things. But in essence, it means how long you will be able to use a particular belt drive effectively.

Some of the common issues with belt drives are that they are made out of low-quality materials, which makes them prone to snap, or they are not flexible enough, which can again lead to snapping.

Furthermore, if a belt drive isn’t durable, it will wear quicker, and you’ll have to spend more of your time and money replacing it.

It’s always better off to get something that’s a little more durable that will last.

Our Top Recommendations For The Best Final Drive Belt For Harley-Davidson in 2024

01. S&S/Gates 14mm – Best Quality Drive Belt For Harley Davidson

 

Highlighted features

• made from super strong X3N carbon cord
• More robust than most other drive belts
• High-quality
• Trusted brand

The S&S/Gates 14mm is just the best final drive belt available to buy right now.

It has all the other features from every one of the other recommendations we state in our list, without any of the cons.

It is made by a well-known and trusted brand, which indeed shows in the quality of this product.

This drive belt is made out of a solid X3N carbon cord, which makes it much more robust than other drive belts and makes both parts flexible yet rigid.

All in all, you just cannot go wrong with the S&S/Gates 14mm, and it is easily our first choice when it comes to final belt drives for Harley-Davidsons.

Pros

• Strong and durable
• Reputable seller
• Premium quality

Cons

• N/A

02. Goodyear Falcon SPC – Best Popular Harley Davidson Drive Belt

 

Highlighted features

• Reinforced with carbon fiber
• High quality

The Goodyear Falcon SPC has a plethora of unique features. It is one of the higher-quality drive belts on our list, and there are few who can match the craftsmanship and care that goes into making this drive belt.

It’s also reinforced with carbon fiber which gives it that extra bit of protection and wears resistance.

That’s without mentioning the fact that it will put less strain on the other components of your bike due to its material.

Although, due to the fact that this drive belt is a little stiff and rigid, it may be a little more likely to snap than other drive belts.

Pros

• Reinforced
• High-quality
• Durable

Cons

• Reports of it splitting very rarely

03. Belt Drives Falcon SPC Rear Drive

 

Highlighted features

• Reinforced with carbon fiber
• Strong
• Durable

Belt Drives Falcon SPC Rear Drive is robust and durable due to the fact that it has been reinforced with heavy-duty carbon fiber.

Out of all the belt drives on our list, this just may be one of the best all-around (barring our 1st pick).

In fact, this is a pretty excellent drive belt altogether. However, there is one big flaw.

This drive belt is known for being extremely difficult to install, with even professional mechanics struggling to install it.

Because of this, there’s always a chance that this drive belt could damage either your bike or itself during the installation process.

Pros

• Reinforced for extra protection
• Long-lasting

Cons

• Hard to install

04. Panther Drive Belt

 

Highlighted features

• made from ultra-cord tensile
• Longer lasting due to material
• Less strain on motorbike parts

The Panther Drive Belt is super strong and durable due to the fact that it is made out of ultra-cord tensile – a material that is both highly long-lasting yet strong.

Furthermore, because of the material of this belt-drive, it puts much less strain on the surrounding parts of your Harley.

This is perfect for people who want to get the maximum longevity out of their bikes.

However, there is also a negative to this material, and that is that it is rigid and not flexible.

Because of this, it makes the Panther Drive Belt much more likely to snap than other drive belts, as there is no play in the belt.

This is, of course, a considerable drawback for this drive belt, and it’s something you will need to keep in mind if you are thinking about buying this one.

Pros

• Extremely wear-resistant material
• Puts less strain on other bike parts
• Doesn’t stretch
• Tear-resistant

Cons

• Can snap easier than other drive belts

05. Belt Drives Gates-Polychain

 

Highlighted features

• Precision ground Neoprene rubber backing
• Provides for a quieter and smoother performance
• No will be trapped in-between pully due to teeth
• Wear-resistant

On the first look, the Belt Drives Gates-Polychain has so many impressive and innovative features.

It uses precision ground Neoprene rubber backing, which is a highly rugged and durable material.

Another great thing about this drive belt is that it is known to provide a quieter and smoother riding experience when compared to most other drive belts – something which many appeals to many people.

That goes without mentioning its tooth design which stops air from getting trapped inside of it, which makes it even more pristine.

Although, the problem with this belt drive is that it has not been used by many people, which results in there being next to no real-life feedback and reviews for this one.

Pros

• Quiet
• Provides a smoother riding experience
• No moisture
• Strong
• Long-lasting

Cons

• Not many reviews / not a well-known seller

06. Belt Drives Falcon SPC Rear Drive Belt

 

Highlighted features

• Reinforced with carbon fibre
• Well-known brand
• Strong

Belt Drives Falcon SPC Rear Drive Belt takes a different approach to other drive belts by making their drive belt flexible instead of rigid.

Because of this, this drive belt is far less likely to snap than other drive belts.

Furthermore, it is reinforced with carbon fibre for extra strength and protection.

Although, there is a massive drawback for the Belt Drives Falcon SPC Rear Drive Belt, and that is that it is known for stretching quickly.

This won’t be a problem at first, but after using this drive belt for a long time, it may become too stretched and loose to even fit onto your Harley, which would render this drive belt completely useless.

It may be a good idea to steer away from this one if your Harley has had issues with belt drives becoming too loose in the past. It’s better not to tempt fate.

Pros

• Extra protection
• Trusted company
• Durable

Cons

• Know to stretch easily

07. Panther Drive Belts Rear Drive Belt

 

Highlighted features

• made from ultra-cord tensile
• Longer lasting due to material
• Less strain on motorbike parts

The Panther Drive Belts Rear Drive Belt has an innovative and unique material that few other drive belts are made out of.

It is made from ultra-cord tensile, which makes this drive belt incredibly wear-resistant.

In addition, it’s also well known for putting less strain on the surrounding bike parts compared to other belt drives.

Although, this comes with its own negative. Because this drive belt is so rigid and robust, it also makes it vulnerable to snapping, which is a significant negative for this drive belt.

If a belt drive snaps, it becomes completely useless. So, of course, if you buy this belt drive and it snaps, it will be a complete waste of time and money.

If your Harley Davidson has a history of snapping final belt drives, then the Panther Drive Belts Rear Drive Belt is probably one that you may want to avoid.

But for those who don’t have such issues, this is an excellent drive belt.

Pros

• Extremely wear-resistant material
• Puts less strain on other bike parts
• Doesn’t stretch
• Tear-resistant

Cons

• Can snap easier than other drive belts

08. Belt Drives Falcon SPC BDL-SPC-136-118

 

Highlighted features

• Reinforced with carbon fibre
• Well-known brand
• Strong

Belt Drives Falcon SPC BDL-SPC-136-118 has a lot of unique features.

For one, it’s made by a well-known and trusted brand, which is always a huge plus.

In addition, it is also solid and durable due to it being reinforced with carbon fibre. Although, it is not very long-lasting.

This is because the Belt Drives Falcon SPC BDL-SPC-136-118 is known to stretch quite easily, which can quickly become a problem in the case that it becomes unable to fit in your bike securely.

Because of this, it’s best to proceed with caution if you are thinking about buying this belt drive.

If you have had issues with belt drives coming too loose in the past, then it may be best to stay away from this one.

Pros

• Extra protection
• Trusted company
• Durable

Cons

• Know to stretch easily

09. Youxmoto Rear Drive Belt

 

Highlighted features

• Compatible with a wide range of bikes
• Heat resistant
• Fabric reinforced
• Wear-resistant

The Youxmoto Rear Drive Belt is an excellent drive belt and given enough time; we fully expect to see this one rise in our ranks.

This belt drive is widely compatible as well as highly durable. Due to its material, it can withstand mind-boggling temperatures, and it also has the added bonus of being incredibly wear-resistant.

Sounds great, right? Well, yeah. However, this belt drive is not sold by a well-known seller, and it has barely any reviews or testimonials.

Because of this, it can be hard to know if this drive belt is good in real-life situations due to its lack of inexperience.

However, it may be a brilliant idea to keep your eye on this one.

Pros

• Widely compatible
• Long-lasting
• Resistant to extremely high temperatures
• Super strong

Cons

• Not a well-known seller / not many reviews

10. S&S Cycle S&S/Gates High Strength drive belt

 

Highlighted features

• made from super strong X3N carbon cord
• More robust than most other drive belts
• High-quality
• Trusted brand

The S&S Cycle S&S/Gates High Strength drive belt surprisingly gets a low spot on our list.

Unlike its younger brother that sits proudly at the top of our recommendations, this drive belt has some unnecessary and disappointing negatives.

This belt drive is exceptionally rigid and has little to no flexibility. Because of this, it is pretty standard for this belt drive to snap even when under little to no strain.

Although, it still does have many unique features, which is why it still takes a spot on our list.

The S&S Cycle S&S/Gates High Strength drive belt is high-quality and not a wrong choice – just bear in mind that this drive belt is more prone to snapping than others.

Pros

• Strong and durable
• Reputable seller
• Premium quality

Cons

• Super rigid
• Prone to snapping

FAQ’s Harley Davidson Drive Belt

Can I install a final drive belt on my Harley Davidson by myself?

It’s always recommended to get any work done to your Harley done by a professional bike mechanic.

If you try to install a final belt drive by yourself, there is a chance you could end up damaging both your bike and the belt drive.

However, if you are adamant about installing a belt drive on your Harley, there are many different guides and videos that you can follow step by step in order to do this.

Also, if you have experience working on bikes or you are a mechanic yourself, then feel free to give it a shot.

Although, as we said, your best bet is to go to a professional.

What’s the benefit of replacing my final drive belt on my Harley Davidson?

You and your bike can receive a wide range of benefits from replacing the stock final drive belt.

First and foremost, at some point, your drive belt will become too worn to use, and it will be required to buy a replacement. So, either way, at some point, you’ll have to replace it.

Apart from that, some drive belts do a lot to improve the overall longevity of your bike by being both long-lasting and also providing protection to other components in your bike.

Furthermore, some drive belts may change the experience you have while riding your Harley. Some may make your bike quieter; some may make the ride feel smoother.

What’s the difference between a low-end and high-end final drive belt on Harley-Davidsons?

The main differences between a high-end and low-end final belt drive are that the lower quality ones will lack many of the crucial features we spoke about in the buying considerations, and some might not even have any.

Overall, high-end belt drives will last for much longer, and they will be of much higher quality.

It’s always the most intelligent decision to opt for a high-quality belt drive rather than a low-end belt drive due to the fact that the return on investment will be much higher with a high-end model.

If you get a low-quality belt drive, you will need to replace it often, which is a waste of your time and money – that’s without mentioning the headache that comes with getting a new belt drive every month.

Furthermore, lower-quality belt drives are way more likely to snap due to their decreased quality.

Or, they could become too loose if they are poorly made and too flexible, which will lead to them eventually becoming too loose to fit on your Harley, which would render it useless.

Is final drive belts easy to install on Harley-Davidsons?

For people who know what they are doing, installing a belt drive on a Harley Davidson will not be too difficult.

However, if you are not a mechanic yourself or you don’t have extensive experience repairing and doing work on Harley-Davidsons, it is highly recommended that you get a professional to install it for you.

Drive belts are not incredibly complicated to install, but they do require a fair amount of care and effort, and it will usually take the average person a whole day to install a belt drive in a Harley Davidson.

To avoid damaging your Harley or the drive belt, it’s best to go to a professional in order to save your money and time.

Should I change my final belt drive on my Harley Davidson?

The answer to this question depends both on the belt drive in particular that you currently have installed on your Harley and for how long you have had it.

It’s always a good idea to replace the stock belt drive on a Harley as there are much better alternatives out there.

Eventually, all belt drives will need a replacement. So, why not sooner than later?

If you have already had the same belt drive installed on your Harley for an extended period of time.

It’s probably an excellent choice to go ahead and replace the current one you are using before it starts to get too worn or potentially snaps.

Although, if you have a high-quality belt drive, such as any of the ones we mentioned on our list, then it likely won’t require a change unless you have already been using it for an exte4nsive amount of time.

How long will a belt drive on a Harley Davidson last?

Similar to our last question, this depends on both the belt drive you have and how long you have had it.

If you buy a high-quality belt drive, it could last you up to a few years or even more.

On the other hand, a low-quality belt drive could break on the first day you install it.

Because of the nature of belt drives, all it takes is one snap, and it is done.

Because of this, low-quality belt drives could snap almost as soon as you install them, but in most cases, it will last a few months or a year if you are lucky.

In the long term, it’s better to purchase a belt drive that will last you for a few years or even more.

Conclusion

Now that you have reached the bottom of our article, you will have a much more complete understanding of everything and anything related to Harley Davidson belt drives.

You now know all the factors you need to consider when you are looking to buy a belt drive for a Harley Davidson, and why.

Furthermore, with our top 10 list of recommendations, you have a great selection of the best belt drives out there.

To pick the best belt drive for you, go through our list and scan each recommendation to see if they have everything we mentioned in the buying considerations and everything you want from a belt drive.