Last summer I recall one or two of the guys having problems (breakage) with the belts. Friar John got stranded when his broke somewhere in Montana. Had to fit a Harley belt, I think. The recommendation was to people who had belts - keep 'em tight.
As far as affecting performance, or gas mileage, I think the belt ratio is close to the Speedmaster's sprocket set up. Don't quote me, though. Hopefully Friar or someone else who has a belt drive will chime in.
I had a belt drive on my FXRS. Kept the bike for 9 years. Lived 7 or 8 miles out on a gravel road. The only problem I had was getting rocks caught between the belt and the sprocket. Rocks destroy belts fast. I got the rocks out quickly & kept the same belt for 35,000 miles. BTW, I never adjusted it. It was as close to maintenence free as it gets.
Don't see any reason why our belt kits wouldn't turn in the same kind of reliablity, as long as they are kept in adjustment...
