I put on new tires and wheels, and at first thought that was it. However, after swapping the stock tires/rims back on the machine, I’m at the exact same (slower) top speed.
Nothing else has really changed since last year, so that makes me believe it HAS to be related to the clutches and/or belt. I haven’t had time to look at the belt recently, but I will try checking it out tomorrow. I have a new belt on order, just because I REALLY need to carry a spare in the remote places I usually ride. The original belt only has around 2,000 miles on it.
I am assuming the belt is perfectly fine, which really only leaves sagging clutch springs as the culprit… at least that’s the ONLY other variable I can think of that would affect my top speed. Seems the problem started recently. I was consistently hitting 58-60 MPH last year. Since the beginning of this year, I’m hitting the rev limiter at 50 MPH (7750 RPM). The engine feels like it easily has much more to give… but I just cannot get that power to the wheels. FWIW, I am running the high altitude weights that my dealer put in as part of the machine setup process before it left the showroom. I live at 4,700 feet, and don’t ever ride below that altitude.
Has anyone else seen a similar issue with their machine? Assuming the new belt doesn’t resolve the issue; should I be looking to replace clutch springs, and if so – which one (or both)?
