The Wheel Truth
Okay I admit it I've become obsessive about the idea of cast vs. spoke wheels. So I thought that I would share the truth that I have discovered. First I emailed a lot of people including dealer service departments, motorcycle tour companies, wheels builders, etc. Without exception they all responded with the same message and that is that the cast rims are not meant for overland touring type travel. The rims will bend or crack under a bike that isn't loaded even on just marginal roads. Mick at compass expeditions has kindly let me know that their 650 twins have had many rim issues and their tour groups ride with no luggage on not overly nasty routes. He says change them if you can.
Solutions aren't cheap but they can be bullet proof if done correctly. Thanks to Woody and Zach at woodyswheelworks.com and also Mike at touratech for correct info on wheel solutions that will work. As stated in the previous post the the hubs are available and excel rims can be sealed to maintain the use of tubeless mounting. Again not cheap but considering the fact that you could easily damage one of the OEM rims beyond repair with zero option to put on a new rim in the middle of you name it, I say its a no brainer.
Last edited by BcDano; 8 Dec 2010 at 21:23.
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