reliability between cast wheels and spoke wheels
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 249
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From: South, Louisiana
reliability between cast wheels and spoke wheels
are cast wheels more reliable than cast wheels? I have heard that there are problems getting spoke wheels properly balanced. any truth to this? Has anyone experienced vibration problems with spoke wheels? I wouldn't want to see problems at 90mph. what about fixing a flat, is it easier on the cast wheels? I am getting a bike (street Bob) that comes with spokes, My current bike (superglide) had cast wheels . I have had no problems with the cast wheels. Please give me somefeedback on this. thanks
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
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From:
RE: reliability between cast wheels and spoke wheels
Both have good and bad points. Nothing really bad. I had spoke wheels for years. As a poor wrencher I was able to take them apart , chrome, and reinstalled. Then raod across country. Nothing fell off. I now have cast wheels on my 06 dyna. I find simple green when dirt seen is easier. My bro uses a light wrench to check sound for tightness. Two year warranty if need tightening dealer should do. Good luck with new scoot.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,828
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From: Central Jersey
RE: reliability between cast wheels and spoke wheels
I assume your first question was are cast wheels more reliable than spokes...
I don't think it's a question of reliability...I just think that you have an advantage with cast wheels in the event that you get a flat. I've been running spokes for 7 years on a number of different bikes and have never had a problem. The problem comes in if you get a flat. If you have cast wheels (tubeless tires), you can always shoot some fix a flat in there...or even use a plug. With tubes, you're pretty much out of luck....although they do make the "slime" stuff for tube type tires (which I keep with me at all times). Still, I'm not sure how well that stuff works..I haven't had to use it yet...yet being the key word..because everyone eventually gets a flat tire.
Todd
I don't think it's a question of reliability...I just think that you have an advantage with cast wheels in the event that you get a flat. I've been running spokes for 7 years on a number of different bikes and have never had a problem. The problem comes in if you get a flat. If you have cast wheels (tubeless tires), you can always shoot some fix a flat in there...or even use a plug. With tubes, you're pretty much out of luck....although they do make the "slime" stuff for tube type tires (which I keep with me at all times). Still, I'm not sure how well that stuff works..I haven't had to use it yet...yet being the key word..because everyone eventually gets a flat tire.
Todd
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
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From:
RE: reliability between cast wheels and spoke wheels
I always go for the cast wheels.
Tubeless tires are not as apt to blow out and they can be plugged easily on the side of the road if you pick up a nail in the middle of no where. I speak from experience , having done it three times .
Plugs are not a permanent repair but will you home--much like those little inflatable spare tires in cages these days. Get a nail in a spoke wheel and you gotta be towed in.
Tubeless tires are not as apt to blow out and they can be plugged easily on the side of the road if you pick up a nail in the middle of no where. I speak from experience , having done it three times .
Plugs are not a permanent repair but will you home--much like those little inflatable spare tires in cages these days. Get a nail in a spoke wheel and you gotta be towed in.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,327
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From: S.E.PA
RE: reliability between cast wheels and spoke wheels
<"dxrich">
<"are cast wheels more reliable than cast wheels? I have heard that there are problems getting spoke wheels properly balanced. any truth to this? Has anyone experienced vibration problems with spoke wheels? I wouldn't want to see problems at 90mph. what about fixing a flat, is it easier on the cast wheels? I am getting a bike (street Bob) that comes with spokes, My current bike (superglide) had cast wheels . I have had no problems with the cast wheels. Please give me somefeedback on this. thanks ">
I wouldn't want a flat doing 90MPH on either, the only thing I can add to the already answers here is this is:
Cast wheels run tubeless tires, these tend to stay on the rim since the bead is stronger
Spoke wheels runs a tube and well the tire will brake off one of the side walls sooner, it's weaker at the bead. (in a flat)
If you don't want the spokes have the dealer take them off and save $450 I think it's a premium for spokes.
Good luck,
cj
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 672
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From:
RE: reliability between cast wheels and spoke wheels
Hmmmmmm... Cast or Spokes... Spokes are not new..Spokes have been around (pun intended..lol), since pretty much the beginning of motorcycles and bicycles... even cars had them.. been used off road (still used).. They are a bitch to clean.. really not much to maintain, unless used off road or in areas where they are subject to more than normal wear and tear.. Cast wheels on motorcycles are pretty much newbies on bikes, lots of good things about them (main one easy to clean).. While racing I've seen them crack... I have them on my SG... I heard someone say spokes belong on bikes and casts (mags) belong on cars... Some day I'll pony up the cash to change mine to spokes...
That little bike I'm sitting on has spokes... Had it at 151 no vibrations, I've owned 17 bikes, my SG is the first with cast wheels. I never had a spoked rim balance problem, tire balance yup..Later.. Skee
That little bike I'm sitting on has spokes... Had it at 151 no vibrations, I've owned 17 bikes, my SG is the first with cast wheels. I never had a spoked rim balance problem, tire balance yup..Later.. Skee
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,529
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From:
RE: reliability between cast wheels and spoke wheels
My buddy has an 05 Deluxe with spokes and just barely 5000 miles. Had to have the front wheel replaced already because the spokes loosened up so badly caused the rim to get out of whack. Done under warranty, but had to wait a week or more to get the part in. Just more to go wrong. I've had cast wheels on my old Kawaski and my Suzuki, and never had a problem, and so far they seem just fine on my FXDI.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: SW Ohio
RE: reliability between cast wheels and spoke wheels
one advantage with tube tires, you can get a new tube if you pick up a nail. tubless,you have to plug it..i for one would never trust a plugged tire on a bike . just my thoughts here .
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: SW Ohio
RE: reliability between cast wheels and spoke wheels
then again.spokes are a beech to clean . the week i bought bob,i had a flat tire,picked up a nail,hog paid for my haul to the dealer, hog is cool for this kinda thing. as a sidenote,i had just pulled out of a driveway when suddenly my bike took off in to a yard. if i had been going any faster,no doubt,i would have went down for sure . i had no control at all over my bike,only second flat i have had in many years of motorcycle riding. oh,it was my rear tire .