Drive

Understanding Drive Components: The Heart of Your Powertrain

Every time an engine produces power, that energy has to travel somewhere — and drive components are exactly what make that happen. From CVT belts on ATVs and UTVs to roller chains on motorcycles, from wheel bearings on passenger cars to universal joints on truck driveshafts, the Drive category covers the essential mechanical links between an engine's output and the wheels that put it all to work. Whether you're wrenching on a daily driver, maintaining a powersports machine, or keeping a fleet running strong, understanding these components is key to reliable, safe operation.

What Do Drive Parts Do?

Drive components transmit rotational force (torque) from a power source to the drivetrain. They do this across several distinct product types, each with its own engineering and maintenance requirements:

• Drive Belts — The most revenue-generating subcategory, drive belts are the flexible links in CVT-equipped powersports vehicles, serpentine accessory systems, and timing systems. They must handle extreme heat, tension, and cyclical stress without stretching or cracking.
• Chains — Motorcycle and ATV drive chains transfer power from the transmission sprocket to the rear wheel. Pitch size, seal type (O-ring, X-ring, or non-sealed), and tensile strength all vary based on engine displacement and riding style.
• Bearings & Seals — Precision-engineered bearings reduce friction at rotating contact points throughout a drivetrain. Seals prevent lubricant loss and contamination ingress, directly impacting component longevity.
• Universal Joints — U-joints allow driveshafts to transmit torque at variable angles, a critical function in rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles where suspension and steering movement create misalignment.
• Pulleys — Belt-driven pulleys direct and tension accessory and drive belts. Worn or misaligned pulleys cause belt slippage, noise, and premature belt failure.

Top Brands in Drive

Ultimax is the go-to brand for powersports CVT drive belts. Ultimax manufactures premium drive belts in the USA, specifically designed for powersport applications with CVT transmissions. The Ultimax family includes MAX, PRO, and XS snowmobile drive belts as well as HQ, UA, and XP belts for ATVs, UTVs, and side-by-sides.

Gates is one of the most trusted names in automotive and powertrain belt technology. Gates has established itself as a global leader in timing belt technology through decades of partnership with major automotive OEMs worldwide, engineering its belts in collaboration with dozens of top manufacturers. Gates belts are engineered to run maintenance-free, requiring no lubrication or retensioning.

RK Chain brings decades of chain-making expertise to the motorcycle and ATV market. For more than 60 years, RK Excel Co. and its predecessors have produced industry-leading drive chains for motorcycles and ATVs, and despite mergers and name changes, their commitment to premium, innovative chains has never wavered. RK drive chains have carried MotoGP, Motocross, ASRA, and many other powersport racers to championships around the globe.

Timken Bearings is a household name in precision bearing engineering. A long history of engineering expertise positions Timken as a trusted supplier to major ATV, UTV, and snowmobile manufacturers. Their bearing and seal product lines are widely used across automotive, powersports, and industrial applications for their dimensional precision and load-handling capability.

Belt Drives specializes in belt drive conversion systems, particularly for motorcycles. Their products offer riders an alternative to traditional chain and sprocket setups, delivering smooth, low-maintenance power transfer and a clean appearance that has made them a favorite in the custom and cruiser motorcycle communities.

What to Consider When Shopping Drive Parts

Fitment is everything in this category. Drive belts, chains, and U-joints are application-specific — a belt that's too wide, too narrow, or the wrong length will fail prematurely or never seat correctly. Always cross-reference your vehicle's year, make, model, and engine displacement before purchasing. For chains, consider your riding style: sealed O-ring or X-ring chains retain lubrication longer and last significantly more miles than non-sealed options, while non-sealed chains offer slightly less friction drag and lighter weight, making them popular for racing. Bearings should meet or exceed OEM dimensional specs and load ratings to ensure safe operation under dynamic drivetrain loads.