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CVT belts on side-by-sides: why they fail (and what a cooler belt really buys you)

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If you ride a SxS/UTV long enough, the CVT belt stops being a “part” and starts being a plan. It’s the link between your engine and the ground, and when it’s happy your machine feels crisp and predictable. When it’s not, you get glazing, slip, heat, that hot-rubber smell… and sometimes a long ride back to the trailer.

The frustrating part is that most belt failures aren’t mysterious. They’re usually the result of one enemy:

Heat.

CVT systems are basically controlled friction. Friction makes heat. Heat changes rubber. And once the belt gets too hot (or stays hot too often), it hardens, loses grip, starts slipping more, and the cycle feeds itself.

That’s why “runs cooler” isn’t just marketing fluff when it’s real. Cooler operation can mean:

  • more consistent engagement

  • less slip under load

  • better longevity

  • fewer surprise failures on the worst possible day

What makes the All Balls All-Traxion HD CVT belt different?

The All Balls All-Traxion HD belts are built around one goal: reduce heat build-up while keeping (or improving) grip. The published claim is that they’re designed to run up to 20°F cooler, based on “washout comparative testing.”

1) Designed to run up to 20°F cooler (washout comparative testing)

Lower belt temperature usually points to less slip and/or better cooling. Either way, it’s the direction you want—especially if you ride sand, mud, mountains, tow, or carry extra weight.

2) Deeper cogs + increased flexibility

Deeper cogs and improved flexibility can help the belt bend and recover more smoothly as it cycles through the clutches. Less rigidity can mean less internal heat and better cooling.

3) Manufactured in Japan with high-end rubber components

Materials matter. Higher quality rubber compounds are more resistant to heat cycling and breakdown, which can translate to fewer failures and more consistent performance over time.

4) High-strength aramid cords and fibers for grip

Aramid reinforcement is commonly used where strength and stability under load are critical. The goal here is more bite without the belt turning into a heat sponge.

5) Cut Taper edges (vs Ground Taper)

All-Traxion belts use a Cut Taper manufacturing process intended to create a more consistent edge with fewer loose cord fibers versus Ground Taper. In the real world, cleaner edges can help reduce fraying and keep the belt “behaving” longer.

6) Performance matching and exceeding OEM

In other words: this isn’t meant to be a “universal” belt that sorta-fits. It’s intended to meet or beat OEM performance expectations for the applications it covers.

7) Two-year warranty (No Hassle)

All-Traxion HD belts are listed with a two-year warranty, which is a meaningful confidence signal in a world where belts are often treated like wear items.

Who is this belt a smart upgrade for?

Not everyone needs a “heavy duty” belt. But you probably do if any of these sound like you:

  • You ride slow and heavy (mud, rocks, technical trails) where clutches work harder and airflow is worse

  • You tow, haul, or ride two-up a lot

  • You’ve added bigger tires, added weight, or increased power

  • You ride hot weather, deep sand, or long climbs

  • You’re tired of belts that look fine… right up until they don’t

If your machine is bone stock and mostly sees casual cruising, OEM may be perfectly fine. But if your belt is a known weak link in your kind of riding, going to a belt designed to manage heat better is one of the more practical upgrades you can make.

Quick belt-life tips (works for OEM or All-Traxion)

A better belt helps, but good habits help more:

  • Break-in matters: easy starts and varied speed for the first 20–30 miles (avoid full-throttle launches).

  • Use low range when you should: slow + heavy load in high range is a heat generator.

  • Keep clutches clean: belt dust and mud reduce grip and increase heat. It is good to open it up and give it a once over at least monthly if you are putting in a lot of miles.

  • Don’t ignore warning signs: glazing, burning smell, or “revving without moving” are all heat/slip clues.

All that to say...

We like the All Balls All-Traxion HD belts because they’re not trying to be flashy. They’re aimed at the boring stuff that actually keeps you riding: cooler operation, strong grip, consistent construction, and a real warranty that happens right in the store.

If you want help picking the correct All-Traxion part number for your exact year/make/model (and whether you should replace anything else while you’re in there), tell me what you’re riding and how you use it, and I’ll map it out.

Come and see us!

Spoiled Biker - Motorcycle Parts and Accessories
7165 NC 89 Hwy W, Westfield, NC  27053
Phone:  (877) 246-7187
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7165 NC 89 Hwy W
Westfield, NC 27053

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