If you wanted to improve your lap times around a tight and twisty track which would you drop $1800 on: hi-comp pistons or forged aluminum wheels?? Lets hope santa is generous this year.
Its true. Wheels are benificial in multiple ways. Less mass to spin up during acceleration, and once they are turning, its less rotation mass to overcome to change direction.
With all the performance improvements I've done engine wise, theres alot of subjective performance questions that come up, like which pistons, are the heads ported, long/short manifolds, and so forth down the line. When you mount the lightweight wheels, there is no question, everytime you ride.
I chose Carozzeria forged aluminum, in gold.
(Additionally, the Nichols engine mounting bolts made a noticable improvement to the handling/feel of my 93SS)
track school, then suspension revalving, then more trackdays (fuel, tires, etc), then wheels Maybe more trackdays before suspension depending on money and experience.
Its true. Wheels are benificial in multiple ways. Less mass to spin up during acceleration, and once they are turning, its less rotation mass to overcome to change direction.
The greatest improvement I did to my bike was the Ohlins rear with the height jacked up and the ohlins fork kit rebuild on the front. Amazing how much better the thing corners...Almost like a different bike.
The greatest improvement I did to my bike was the Ohlins rear with the height jacked up and the ohlins fork kit rebuild on the front. Amazing how much better the thing corners...Almost like a different bike.
+1. That's about $1300 and then you have $500 left over to attend trackdays.
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Bob Hancock
Warner Robins, GA
'98 900SS/SP FE #339
'06 PS1000LE
'07 R1200S
Yep, after the rider the suspension on these bikes is the biggest issue. Wheels next (they help the suspension too) We have two 900SS bikes here, both have Penske shocks and the IE has a Penske revalve that we did our development work on. The 98 has a superbike fork on it with stock valving but new springs. That bikes development continues.
Yep, after the rider the suspension on these bikes is the biggest issue. Wheels next (they help the suspension too) We have two 900SS bikes here, both have Penske shocks and the IE has a Penske revalve that we did our development work on. The 98 has a superbike fork on it with stock valving but new springs. That bikes development continues.
Those wheels on your site look great, do you have pricing info (cogent)?
Is that 2 seconds a lap for P.I.R. or the Isle of Man?
Just gotta love blanket statements!
It was a joke..but there is some truth in it too.
Check out last years article "sexual healing" in FASTBIKES. The Vivaldi Race team tested a ZX10. They averaged 2 seconds faster per lap in just one session. They felt with an empty track they could drop it to 3 seconds...but best of all the reduced lap times come effortlessly.
Racers in the USA have reported 1-2 seconds per lap faster when changing from mag wheels...so it is not a fluke.
Hayabusa Drag racers report -.1 to -.2 difference consistently with no other changes in the quarter mile.
The 900SS would make even a greater difference as it has less power than a Zx10 or Hayabusa.
....but of course, your results may vary.... but there is some validity and benefits to ultra light wheels....and there are some tangible numbers out there to prove it if you look for it.
Dezmoduo, How do you like them and how does the fit and finish compare to the marchesini's?
I haven't been nose to wheel with a Marchesini so I can't compare.
I can say that on my last tire swap, both front and rear, the balance was so close I actually cut the small weight in half.
Bridgestones mounted.
There are final machining marks in the corners of the spoked areas. Some sharp edges to the aluminum to be mindful of. On my well worn 93SS I notice it mostly when the bikes up on stands for TLC.
I'd buy 'em again.
I wish I'd done the Nichols bolts mid season so I could have a better feel for the handling change, but even though it was mid winter, the first ride in the spring my eyes widened, jaw dropped and smile expanded, in that order. GReat mod.
Goldvalve adjustable showas and late model Sachs with proper spring has smoothed out the bumps.
And yes, the schools I took along the way played a big part in my handling of the bike.
horsepower vs. handling
Maybe more trackdays before suspension depending on money and experience.
but there is some validity and benefits to ultra light wheels....and there are some tangible numbers out there to prove it if you look for it.
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