I would definitely change them - much better safe than sorry. Indeed, if it's been laid up unused for most of that time, I'd be very wary of starting it until I'd changed the belts ... I've had a timing chain (on an old Honda) break on me and believe me, you don't want the expense of sorting out the consequences!

 

Take the valve covers off and take a look to see if they're still supple but I tend to agree with your mechanic although I'd change them a bit early I think.

 

If you change them now you have a known starting point for the life of the belts. As others have said the current belt status is really only guesswork.

 

Thanks for the input. I visited my local Ducati dealer and they strongly recommended replacing the belts given they are 8 years old. Not worth the risk should they fail. The work is schedule for Wednesday. 🙏

 

Ok here’s the latest…and I’m posting this for others who are concern about their timing belt.

I just couldn’t believe the belts would need replacing after 900 miles so I decided to take a look for myself. It was a really easy job and took about 30 minutes with nothing more than a screwdriver (for taking off the muffler springs), the Scrambler tool kit and a rubber mallet.

Ducati makes it easy….remove the springs, the tailpipe screws and pull the muffler off the bike. The springs hold it in place…that’s the hardest part. Next I pulled off the belt covers and there they were, shiny, smooth and looking like the day they were installed. No cracks or fraying at all. Now these are 7 years old, the bike was always stored in a heated garage and they have 900 miles on them.

For all you folks out there wondering, it’s pretty easy to check for yourself.

Have a great riding season

So

 

If you end up taking it to the dealer for a belt change I'd seriously put a mark (dab of paint) on those belts to see if the dealer really bothers changing them at all.

 

I’ve seen this topic be argued about endlessly.

Ultimately the answer is up to your own level of risk/reward. New belts don’t cost THAT much. The consequences of a failure will likely be catastrophic and very expensive indeed.

Ducati used to recommend 2 years, then 3 and now with newer bikes, 5 years. I don’t really understand why anyone would choose to just ignore this?

The belts are under very high tension, like a bowstring. So the reason age matters as well as mileage is due to that. A bike sitting still for a very long time, may have nice shiny clean belts but that high tension has been exerted on the same part of the belt for maybe years. Just because you can’t see the wear, doesn’t mean the belt hasn’t slightly stretched and doesn’t mean now when used, it won’t deteriorate very quickly. A guitar string left unused for years, will stretch and go out of tune much quicker than a nice fresh one.

You don’t want to be out on a long ride to find out your belt is now wearing significantly as the rubber is ageing or it has stretched at a certain point.

I don’t believe a visual inspection cuts the mustard here and answers the question. Could you simply look at a set of 10 year old tyres and tell me how old they are…? Sure, no cracking or splits but I still wouldn’t want to use them.

It’s your bike, your choice but personally… I would be MORE concerned about a bike that has done so few miles in its life, not less. Bikes don’t like to sit still.

I would be replacing as many consumable parts as possible. Belts, tyres, fluids, bearings etc…

 

Thanks for your thoughts. My main takeaways from the inspection was I feel less sense of urgency. I was taking it to the shop tomorrow but now feel I can wait to the end of the summer. Or I’ll get to the point where I just want the peace of mind and get it done sooner. Appreciate the input as this is new to me so every opinion helps. Cheers

 

To each their own and hope it’s fine for you.
Congrats on the new bike!

 

I dropped it off today to have the belts replaced. Peace of mind is worth the $1000

 

peace of mind for sure...if uv got the cake. the dealers r sooo overpriced. id worry more about the fluids, and wud replace them all.

 

It's the age more than the miles. The rubber and fabric degrades with age. Cheap insurance to change it.

 

More updates. Belts are done but during the job they discovered a melted cable caused by “excessive idling”. Because it is an air cooled engine it needs to be moving to control the temperature. Figured I share what I’m learning in the hope of saving one of you a few $$. Photos coming

 

Yuup! I recently got a 2020 Scrambler Desert Sled with 3500 miles and I decided to just do it! No dealership in my neighborhood so ended up doing it in about 5 hours, to include oil/filter change, screen cleaned, K&N air filter, replaced brake/clutch levers, fluids, exhaust replaced! She good!

 

Where did you buy the timing belt from? I was looking online and found this Dayco brand selling for $30.99/belt (see link below).
Is this good? Has anyone used this?
Dayco 941079 Ducati Scrambler 800 transmission belt

https://www.tradeinn.com/motardinn/en/dayco-941079-ducati-scrambler-800-transmission-belt/140937953/p

 

Ended up going with these two belts for $105 total plus shipping!

 

Here's another option:

Ca Cycleworks ExactFit™ Timing Belt for Ducati Scrambler, 796, 696 (each)

Ducati Monster 696Ducati Monster 796Ducati Monster 797Ducati Hypermotard 796 Ducati Scrambler Note: Price is per belt. Sold in pairs.

ca-cycleworks.com

 

I won't use anything but CA Cycleworks. Don't go cheap!