Spoked wheels?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
RE: Spoked wheels?
For bikes used on pavement, there is no real advantage, many disadvantages: require tubes and they flex. For dirt bikes/dual purpose bikes, spokes are a must. The inherent flex is a necessary trait in that kind of riding, which will destroy one-piece wheels/rims from the repeated shock. Quite a few bikes out there are running tubeless spoke wheels. Hello, HD...
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 29,598
Likes: 19
From: Oregon
RE: Spoked wheels?
That's just not so. Gyroscopic precession alone will make a big difference in handling, and kinetic energy then is just another big issue. You still have lots of bumps and corners on pavement and I still want the best handling I can get.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
RE: Spoked wheels?
ORIGINAL: JBaker421
We are not talking about the overweight bike. We are talking about the unsprung weight which could more that double with solid wheels. Thats huge.
ORIGINAL: bagman1
You think a few extra pounds on an already overweight bike is going to make a difference? Ill take the strength and security of a one piece rim anyday over spokes. Of course that is my opinion but look how many road bikes of all types come with spokes these days. Tubes are ancient technology.
You think a few extra pounds on an already overweight bike is going to make a difference? Ill take the strength and security of a one piece rim anyday over spokes. Of course that is my opinion but look how many road bikes of all types come with spokes these days. Tubes are ancient technology.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
RE: Spoked wheels?
ORIGINAL: sharkey
I went the full route re: unsprung weight. Excell aluminum rims, S/S spokes and HD aluminum hubs, Lyndall composite rotors and a Sputhe aluminum swingarm. The tires are Bridgestone radials...the difference in handling is HUGE...don't know if it'd be worth it on an FLH or a Softail, though. My FXDTX also has pretty decent suspension. In all I removed over 40lbs of unsprung weight\\\\\\; the bike scales at 620lbs with a half tank of fuel.
[IMG]local://upfiles/32069/14CE0A10DE4541DCAABC92F829558A3C.jpg[/IMG]
I went the full route re: unsprung weight. Excell aluminum rims, S/S spokes and HD aluminum hubs, Lyndall composite rotors and a Sputhe aluminum swingarm. The tires are Bridgestone radials...the difference in handling is HUGE...don't know if it'd be worth it on an FLH or a Softail, though. My FXDTX also has pretty decent suspension. In all I removed over 40lbs of unsprung weight\\\\\\; the bike scales at 620lbs with a half tank of fuel.
[IMG]local://upfiles/32069/14CE0A10DE4541DCAABC92F829558A3C.jpg[/IMG]
I bet that lowering the rotating mass so much had to make a very noticeable \\;difference on your acceleration and stopping ability too.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,090
Likes: 3,882
From: Murfreesboro , TN
RE: Spoked wheels?
ORIGINAL: faber
Quite a few bikes out there are running tubeless spoke wheels. Hello, HD...
Quite a few bikes out there are running tubeless spoke wheels. Hello, HD...
Yep, I run tubeless spoked wheels on my EG. \\; No issues after about 2 years!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 27
From: florida swamp
RE: Spoked wheels?
you spoke wheel guys have been smokin way too much wacky toebacky
 \\;
only thing lace wheels got goin are old school looks and low cost.
 \\;
you don't see them on sport bikes or drag bikes
flex is not a good handling trait
they are weaker than mags \\;and require a lot of maintenance...( spokes loosen,bend, \\;harder to clean)
mags can be just as light and much stronger...forged, magnesium
as far as shock, I doubt very many of you are going to jump any mogels with your harley.
mags are much easier to take care of and you can easily fix flats.
 \\;
nothing against spokes, to each their own, but let's get real
 \\;
 \\;
only thing lace wheels got goin are old school looks and low cost.
 \\;
you don't see them on sport bikes or drag bikes
flex is not a good handling trait
they are weaker than mags \\;and require a lot of maintenance...( spokes loosen,bend, \\;harder to clean)
mags can be just as light and much stronger...forged, magnesium
as far as shock, I doubt very many of you are going to jump any mogels with your harley.
mags are much easier to take care of and you can easily fix flats.
 \\;
nothing against spokes, to each their own, but let's get real
 \\;
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 3
From: murfreesboro tn.
RE: Spoked wheels?
im confused about the cleaning issue. i waxed my profile spokes when i got the bike. wash the rear tire when i wash the rest of the bike, and my rear wheel looks as good as the front. giant misconception about spokes hard to clean!
