I am diving back into bikes and recall when carbon fibre rims weren't very durable. They seem to be popular now, the weight reduction I am sure is quite dramatic but I still have my reservation. Who is racing with them? and were you able to get a couple seasons out of them? Is BST the main player?
i have dymag carbon/mags and have had no rpoblems but i am sure Gordon will come in here with his pic soon
Gordon, please PM me about the guards as they have been sitting here waiting for some attention LOL also, i got a RC30 HRC copy airbox in glass, kevlar or carbon for you
Dynamag, BST... I know 2 people with BST's and have no problems, issues and love them if not for the drastic weight reduction. The bling is kinda nice too....
One of the things I have always heard about carbon fiber wheels is that they are not malleable like metal. So, if you hit something hard with them there can be minute cracks that can shatter the wheel at a later time once the stress is too much.
I am not 100% sure about this, but it is what I have always been told. Anyone with more experience can chime in here anytime.
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I am diving back into bikes and recall when carbon fibre rims weren't very durable. They seem to be popular now, the weight reduction I am sure is quite dramatic but I still have my reservation. Who is racing with them? and were you able to get a couple seasons out of them? Is BST the main player?
My opinion on carbon rims is they're simply not worth the expense. Often the passion we all share for the sport over rides our connection between our brains and our wallets, granted.
You have to ask your self what you'll be using this bike for.
If it’s just for tooling around the country side and track days then there is no connection. You'll have just as much fun on this bike if you're a second slower around the track. I understand the importance of wanting everything as light as possible yet I can't help but feel there are many more ingenious and cost worthy options. Take Thorsten's fabrications more viable and innovative than simply throwing money at the bike. For example his under seat fuel tank may have just as much effect as carbon rims.
Alas, who would know other than him, because most who can afford high end sport bikes rarely think outside the box. http://www.honda-rc51.de/
Mac, i would have to disagree with you man. the single BIGGEST thing i feel on a daily ride to the starbucks is the weight loss of my wheels. the RC is a pig and the transitions are much easier with lighter wheels especially on this bike. FWIW i have had lighter wheels on the last 4 bikes i have had and it has felt better on all of them even the CBR 1000rr benifitted form them on the street IMO.
was it worth the $3000, maybe not but it was worth at least the $1200 for forged aluminums or magnesiums IMO
Here's an abstract point of view. I raced mountain bikes and the bikes weight nothing to start with. The power comes from you and handeling can be felt without horse power or suspension playing part. I can say that lighter wheels such a huge deal that I would never consider serious ridding without them ever again. I built my own wheels and know that lighter has benefits. They also are subject to failure / bending but they simply rock.
Real world has shown me even a full Ohlins bikes turn in differntly from one to the other. It depends on setup first. Even if you get great turn in from wheels if the suspension isn't right the bike won't hold the line or stick. So those wheels aren't doing any good while the bike is sliding off the track. Opinions differ about what to do first but I stand by setup and suspension first.
Mac, i would have to disagree with you man. the single BIGGEST thing i feel on a daily ride to the starbucks is the weight loss of my wheels. the RC is a pig and the transitions are much easier with lighter wheels especially on this bike. FWIW i have had lighter wheels on the last 4 bikes i have had and it has felt better on all of them even the CBR 1000rr benifitted form them on the street IMO.
was it worth the $3000, maybe not but it was worth at least the $1200 for forged aluminums or magnesiums IMO
I know you were just rib' en but for those who ask these types of questions allow me to clarify.
Like I said I understand the premise of wanting lighter parts unsprung or static.
My point is a better rider will ride better, period.
It doesn't matter what bike you have. 99.999% of us could ride a champions' bike but it won't make us a champion.
That said I have after market rims on the end of my mod list, and one day I'll get there. My main reason for wanting them is purely cosmetic. There's no shame in that.
no, none at all man. i once was beaten by LDH's grandma so i am not fast either. my point is IMO wheels are the greatest mod you can do on your slow street going RC51 other than suspension maybe, really help her move easier even for slow guys. i did the front forks and added a penske and what a machine compared to stock.
if i had to do it again i would do wheels first next time too
Stay away from carbon wheels if you're doing more street riding. If the bike is a dedicated track tool, then go ahead
Carbon fiber is fine for the street. Carbon fiber is stronger than any stock aluminum wheel or aftermarket forged magnesium wheel and has benefits in acceleration, braking and transitioning from side to side. I did my research before taking the plunge. Don't believe me, find empirical evidence and prove me wrong!
Easily, the best mod for any bike. If I had to do it again, the BSTs would have come before the Satos!
Carbon fiber is fine for the street. Carbon fiber is stronger than any stock aluminum wheel or aftermarket forged magnesium wheel and has benefits in acceleration, braking and transitioning from side to side. I did my research before taking the plunge. Don't believe me, find empirical evidence and prove me wrong!
Easily, the best mod for any bike. If I had to do it again, the BSTs would have come before the Satos!
Its not a matter of which is stronger. Its a matter of the dollars spent.
In the case that It gets damaged (more chances of getting damaged on the street - potholes, LA freeways etc), its more expensive to repair (if repairable) and definitely more expensive to replace.
I had to replace both wheels on my old 900RR (hit a piece of wood or a block of steel that fell of a truck). I bought them from a salvage yard, wheels were not cosmetically perfect (chipped of paint, scratches) but was straight. Got it for, if I remember right, about $300.00 for both...... maybe even less.
Its not a matter of which is stronger. Its a matter of the dollars spent.
So you're telling everyone not to get them cuz they're expensive. WONDERFUL advice!
Did you have a bad experience with yours? Did you not like how easily your bike turned? What about the wheels turned you off to them, other than the price.
Carbon Fibre Rims
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