Carbon Wheels

Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

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Ladies,

I am very aware of the BST marketing claims and am more than aware of how awesomely gorgeous CF wheels are.

However, I’m also aware how expensive they are, and am running out of kids to sell.

I can imagine the benefits of this amount of reduced unsprung weight, and reduced gyroscopic forces, rising pro rata with speed. Meaning that I can easily imagine CF wheels making a big difference to a top rider on a well fettled R1 with already good lap times on a fast and smooth track.

But... what difference do they make on a slow bike like a 961 (sorry if that offends, just being realistic) ridden by a (comparatively) slow rider on the road?

Does anyone have any actual experience they could share on this?
 
Fast Eddie said:
Ladies,

I am very aware of the BST marketing claims and am more than aware of how awesomely gorgeous CF wheels are.

However, I’m also aware how expensive they are, and am running out of kids to sell.

I can imagine the benefits of this amount of reduced unsprung weight, and reduced gyroscopic forces, rising pro rata with speed. Meaning that I can easily imagine CF wheels making a big difference to a top rider on a well fettled R1 with already good lap times on a fast and smooth track.

But... what difference do they make on a slow bike like a 961 (sorry if that offends, just being realistic) ridden by a (comparatively) slow rider on the road?

Does anyone have any actual experience they could share on this?
Click to expand...
Boy,
It is really the reduced gyro forces that makes the big difference... To feel this difference 40 mph are enough, you don’t need to be on a race track. If I switch to my old Bonnie I immidiately feel the difference! It is much harder to change from one side to the other.
 
Raphi said:
Boy,
It is really the reduced gyro forces that makes the big difference... To feel this difference 40 mph are enough, you don’t need to be on a race track. If I switch to my old Bonnie I immidiately feel the difference! It is much harder to change from one side to the other.
Click to expand...

Raphi,

40mph IS fast.

Only kidding!

Have you ridden your Norton with stock wheels in order to compare?
 
Raphi said:
Boy,
It is really the reduced gyro forces that makes the big difference... To feel this difference 40 mph are enough, you don’t need to be on a race track. If I switch to my old Bonnie I immidiately feel the difference! It is much harder to change from one side to the other.
Click to expand...
 
One advantage, if they are tubeless is you can carry a plug kit and fix your tire on the road. Unlike me, had to truck it to the dealer to replace the tube after picking up a nail. Had 2 dudes on Harleys with the kit and a wicked little compressor. Also, I'm getting tired of cleaning those damned spokes.
 
Ive rode both back to back down a very twisty road and it was noticeable for bends. Hard to tell if there were any benefits to taking off quicker. And as already mentioned;way easier to clean and tubeless. And if you’re racing in a stock bike class then you get the advantage with Norton having the wheels as an option. Because if the CF isn’t offered from the factory then you cant race with them.
 
I wish someone made forged alloy replacement wheels for the 961.
Something classic like old 7 spoke Morris Mag wheels from the 70's.
They were lightweight and tubeless, and beautifully classic.
 
I agree with all the positive observations made so far. Maybe it's the wheels that make my bike feel lighter and more nimble than my Speed Triple. My initial motivation for having them installed was because they were tubeless and made the bike look modern. I don't think of the 961 as having a retro look at all. Heck, if it has EFI then it might as well have "molded" type wheels, in my opinion. The enhanced handling was an unexpected bonus for me.
 
I want the carbon wheels for my Dominator Naked. But I want them in matte finish to match the matte finish fender, air box and mud guard.
 
My opinion; spoked wheels are a good fit for the 961. The black rims make the bike looks mean. If you look around at the other manufacturers desperately scrambling to produce a retro bike as cool as the 961, most opt for the spoked wheels.

Thanks for indulging me :)
 
bpjthornton said:
My opinion; spoked wheels are a good fit for the 961. The black rims make the bike looks mean. If you look around at the other manufacturers desperately scrambling to produce a retro bike as cool as the 961, most opt for the spoked wheels.

Thanks for indulging me :)
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Well, that’s the way I’m leaning at the moment too.

Which is kinda nice on the wallet !
 
Fast Eddie said:
Ladies,

I am very aware of the BST marketing claims and am more than aware of how awesomely gorgeous CF wheels are.

However, I’m also aware how expensive they are, and am running out of kids to sell.

I can imagine the benefits of this amount of reduced unsprung weight, and reduced gyroscopic forces, rising pro rata with speed. Meaning that I can easily imagine CF wheels making a big difference to a top rider on a well fettled R1 with already good lap times on a fast and smooth track.

But... what difference do they make on a slow bike like a 961 (sorry if that offends, just being realistic) ridden by a (comparatively) slow rider on the road?

Does anyone have any actual experience they could share on this?
Click to expand...
I think its a bit like someone who rides a bicycle for exercise, and shaves their legs.

If your not competing there is no reason to do it, other than you love how it looks.

And that's OK of course.:)
 
Spoked wheels for the Commando definitely - then carbon wheels when you buy your Dominator......
 
Clive, I think I am inclined to agree with the spokes wheels on the Commando comment, but I’m not currently planing a Dominator purchase!

Thanks for the comparison comments guys, but I think I’m gonna stick with spokes.

One factor that’s currently not closed in my mind though: does anyone know that actual weight difference between standard spokes alloy and carbon wheels?
 
The difference has to be at least 12-15 lbs.
Hinckley Bonneville owners that swap out their laced wheels for aluminum alloy mags generally see a 15 lbs reduction overall. This is with the stock steel rim wheels, not alloy rims. The Hinckley Thruxton has alloy rims and so the reduction is not as great. But this is with changing to alloy mags. The carbon wheels must be significantly lighter than aluminum mags, so would result in greater weight saving.
 
Its pretty simple physics. A rotating wheel is like a gyroscope so the heavier the rotating mass the more force is required to displace it. The lighter the wheel the faster it can move from one direction to another. Net result is that carbon wheels will result is a quicker handling bike.
 
byjefsm said:
Its pretty simple physics. A rotating wheel is like a gyroscope so the heavier the rotating mass the more force is required to displace it. The lighter the wheel the faster it can move from one direction to another. Net result is that carbon wheels will result is a quicker handling bike.
Click to expand...

.....and if your not going to the track and going to obey speed limits, is it worth the few grand? Seems like in NY we get away with some speeding, but what I read about you Brits and Canadians.........damn. Jail. I just really like the fact that you can plug a tubeless tire and get your ass home. Spokes....pfffffffffft. Wish I had thought that one through.
 
Britfan60 said:
.....and if your not going to the track and going to obey speed limits, is it worth the few grand? Seems like in NY we get away with some speeding, but what I read about you Brits and Canadians.........damn. Jail. I just really like the fact that you can plug a tubeless tire and get your ass home. Spokes....pfffffffffft. Wish I had thought that one through.
Click to expand...
The Thruxton owners have the same dilemna re:spoked alloys. There are some great looking aftermarket spoked wheels for tubeless fit but they cost $$$$$ .... then there are the 3M based tape kits which supposedly seal the spokes. I have only ever suffered one flat tube and one plugged tubeless on a bike but I have never been a high mileage rider, guess it comes down to luck in the end.
 
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