Technical Information:

THE QUESTION IS, WHERE’S THE WEIGHT?

REDUCING THE WEIGHT OF YOUR WHEELS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERFORMANCE CHANGE THAT YOU CAN MAKE TO YOU MOTORCYCLE!

Lighter wheels will make a major difference in the handling of your bike. They will also greatly improve the acceleration and deceleration “braking” of your bike for the following reasons.

Static Weight: Each ounce of reduction of the wheels weight is equivalent to 4 ounces on the sprung part of the bike. Magnesium wheels will normally weigh at least 10 pounds less than your stock aluminum wheels. This is equal to 40 pounds of weight reduction on the bike. That’s alot of carbon and titanium.

Dynamic Weight: This is the weight reduction on the rim of the wheel and this is where the ACTION is. EACH OUNCE OF WEIGHT REDUCTION ON THE RIM IS EQUAL TO ABOUT 25 POUNDS OF WEIGHT AT 100 MPH!

This is real weight that must be turned, accelerated, and stopped. As an example, a pair of magnesium wheels will normally reduce the total rim weight of the two wheels by at least 20 ounces. This means that your bike will weigh 500 pounds less at 100 MPH.

At all other speeds the reduction is in relation to the velocity of the bike. As you increase your speed the weight will increase exponentially.

The following formula will enable you to figure for yourself the impact of dynamic weight on your bike.

Given:
V=Speed of your bike in MPH.
D=Diameter, outside of tire in inches.
G=G Force (Times force of gravity)

So: 1 oz. At the surface of the tire at 100 MPH produces a force of 600.37
ounces, or 37.52 pounds.

Force at the rim: Let’s say the rim is 2/3 the way from the axle to the surface of the tire. This equates to 17 inches for the wheel and 10 inches total for the tire. To arrive at the percentage, divide 17 by 27 which will give you 63% which is the distance of the rim from the axle in relation to the overall diameter of the wheel and tire.

Multiply the force at the surface by 63%. 1 ounce on the rim is about 23.64 pounds.

REMEMBER! THE MOST IMORTANT PERFORMANCE ADVANTAGE THAT YOU CAN GIVE YOUR BIKE IS LIGHTER WHEELS!