Unless you're racking up high miles, changing the belts every 2 years is going to cost you roughly £180 or put another way, just £90 per year to prevent your beloved bike's engine eating itself. A small price to pay me thinks

[Edited on 29-4-2005 by Wylie1]

My mate has a '97 916 and he had hardly ridden it in the last 3 years. He figured he really ought to get it serviced and when they looked at the belts you could see where they were cracked and perished. That is why there is a time limit.

If you left it over the winter (as he did) and that brought it up towards 3 years since the belts were replaced, then the worst thing you could do is start the engine and ride it to the service. The stress under those circumstances is likely to break them.

The advice was, if you are going to extend the belts life like that, then start it regularly which moves the belts and moves the stress points about a bit. Not really recommended though.

Some good points.

I have contacted LuigiMoto as they are just up the road and agreed to a 10000km service plus belt change.

£240 for the service + consumables + £70 for belts.

Sounded good to me.

He sounded like someone who cares about his work with the personal touch. We'll wait and see if this is so. Can't get me 'til end of May though.