Originally Posted by
TejanoTrackie
Belt drives are generally stronger than chains and are used on powerful heavyweight motorcycles like Harley-Davidsons, so they most certainly can handle back-pedalling forces on a fixed gear bicycle. Belt drives are quiet, durable and maintenance-free, which is why they are popular on motorcycles, but are somewhat impractical for use on bicycles, since they require a frame that can be unbolted to install or remove the belt and special sprockets that are compatible with the belt. They are most practical when used with IGH type setups, where you can change gears w/o moving the belt sideways or changing its length.
Belt drives on motorcycles are not as maintenance free as most folks think. Proper tension adjustment is critical to avoid premature wear, unlike a chain drive. Replacing belts is a BIG (and expensive, unless you do your own work) and time consuming job.
Quiet? Perhaps. No oil? Yes. But you won't find belts on high performance or racing motorcycles, due to a number of negatives.