Alloy or Spoked wheels

[Les Wassall]

Just bought a 1200 and didn’t notice on the description it has spoked wheels, as they are an extra I think they will swap them if I want, any opinions on if the spoke are better than alloys.

 

[GerryC]

My Spoke

Les
The spoked are tougher and recommended for serious off road use. Although that's not what I bought the 12 for I paid the extra for spokes. They look a lot better on a GS. They take a little longer to clean. Thats my spoke on that.

 

[The Burpster]

Spokeys or Cast

Cast wheels are inherently more stable and rigid. Spokeys have the same value when built but spokes do work loose (not good!) so need checking regularly. If all your riding will be on the road cast wheels are IMO a better option. If you are doing off road stuff and likley to bend rims then spokeys are better as you can replace a rim and not the whole wheel.

Hope that makes sense, and yes I have Cast wheels on my GS (although I agree that spokies look the dogs' on them!!)

 

[Dahoum]

I'll swap em for my alloys Les

Mind you they are two years old

 

[newman7096]

I think spokes look better on the GS however the ease of cleaning alloys would be a benefit to me.

 

[don coffey]

It's got to be spokes everytime, looks way better than the alloy wheels IMO

Don

 

[Yoda]

My '04 had cast, my '06 has spoked. No noticeable difference in the handling on the road.

As said earlier, spoked look the part but are harder to clean.

 

[BTBR]

My spoked wheels are a piece of piss to clean, mind you I only have 18 spokes to worry about.

BTBR

 

[Andrew Lodge]

Alloys every time

Got to disagree with the opinion so far, alloys look much better on the GS

Andrew

 

[Jeremy]

Spokes, no contest.

 

[Les Wassall]

 

[jonothan]

I bought my new '06 1200 in April.

There were two yellow R1200GS's in the showroom to choose from.

One with spokes, one without, otherwise identical with ABS and heated grips.

After much deliberation, I chose the alloys as they're easier to clean and I'm not going to be any off-roading on mine (yet) until I've got some more miles and experience under my belt, and done the BMW Off Road Course too.

They do the job and being easy to clean is appreciated.

I personally like the look of the spoked wheels slightly more though!

J

 

[Deadskin]

Spokes

 

[Firebird]

Get a set of both! It's much easier to swap wheels than change tyres for when you want to get down and dirty.

 

[North]

Spokes is the way to go.

 

[Peter Imperfect]

Decisions, Decisions

Had spokes on the 1150GS and now have the cast wheels on the 1200GS.

Although I appreciate the ease of cleaning with the cast wheels I still think the spoked wheels look the business, especially when clean.

I went for the cast wheels as I have no intention of going off road but still question that decision.

It all comes down to personal choise but if looks take priority over ease of cleaning the spokes win every time.

 

[marcus]

I went for spokes

Wider tyre choice
look the biz

Plus I cracked a few wheels batting around saaf landan on my R850R so I figured worth the extra outlay.


Beeeetch to clean though

 

[APE]

Anyone know the difference in weight between the wires and cast wheels ?

 

[Mouse]

Wider tyre choice

How does that work, the two types of wheels are identical sizes, aren't they?

 

[The Burpster]

Brill idea!

Actually thats not a half bad idea.... Put an Akront (or other much more expensive italian) 5.5" rim on the back and you can get a 170/70 17 on and get soem serious road rubber! Anyone got a set of spokeys going spare?