This is my first bike with a belt. The manual book says that you have to take off the exhaust pipes to adjust the tension on the belt. Is their a easier way of doing it or do I have to take the exhaust pipes off?

Well that may be true IF it needs to be made tighter or looser. It is not necessasary to remove the exhaust to just check the belt tension. But if you need to make an adjustment it's the exact same process as adjusting a chain, you need access to both ends of the axle bolt and the adjusting screws on both sides. Okay it may be a little diferent than doing a chain - for a belt you should be as accurate as possible to make sure the axle is as perpindicular to the belt as possible to keep it tracking in the middle of the front and rear pullys

Shouldn't have to do much more then check it. No muffler has to come off for that.
When tires replaced and I have it on the jack stand so I can spin it to make sure besides my marks and measure. I can get wrenches in when saddle bags are off. its tight but can get them in. Put towel over exhaust to not scratch or dent. The jack stand lets me roll the wheel to see how the belt is tracking.

The belt should be tight enough that 10 Lbs of pressure pushing up will move the belt to the top of the scale. About one inch I believe. My belt has only been adjusted on tire changes.

There is an alignment tool, to be sure the rear wheel is alligned. It has two adjustable centering points. First adjust the belt tension, set the tool in the center hole of the swing arm and axle. Then set the other side the same.

The muffler needs to be off. Don't remember where to get the tool.
Dave

Mark, you take the 3 bolts out that hold muffler on and loosen the clamp at the front of it and swing it out to get a big socket on the nut . {had that flat}