No More Standard Wheels!!!

[Foto John]

I visited my local dealer yesterday, looking to trade in my 1150 Adventure against a new 1200GS (Standard, not the GSA again, as I really wanted a much lighter bike) and he informed me that from now on all GSs will come with wire wheels as the firm making the standard alloys has gone bust!

I really wanted the standard wheels as they're a lot easier to maintain, I very rarely do off-road (gravel tracks and the like) and they also look so sexy. If I order quickly my dealer has a set of the standards that came off another GS which, according to the dealer haven't been ridden with, but I'm not sure whether to just wait and see whether BMW find a new supplier.

BTW - I can buy the wire wheels, which incidentally seem the only option now, for half price. What would you do?

Lastly, I'm definitely going for the black seat and side panels, but I'm not sure to have a little colour with going with the red option or to go all black!

 

[The White Rabbit]

Someone will come along and tell you GS must have wire wheels :lol:. I realy like alloys too.

I'd order quickly and take the swap:
1. You'll get the wheels you want
2. The bike sooner :lol:

But are you sure this is all 100% and not some dealer ploy?

Also bear in mind there seems a few with alloys who decide they wish they had wire, but as youve had an 1150Adv I'm sure you know your mind.

 

[BBB61]

That seems very bizarre. Given that most bikes in the BMW range come with alloys I would be very surprised if BMW were unable to source them from an alternative supplier. Have you contacted another dealer to see if they confirm this?

 

[Foto John]

But are you sure this is all 100% and not some dealer ploy?

I'm not 100% sure, although he did have a fax from BMW Belgium, which I admit I didn't read, although he showed it too me and laid it on his desk. I can't see why he'd want every new prospective GS owner to have wire spokes though.

Also bear in mind there seems a few with alloys who decide they wish they had wire, but as youve had an 1150Adv I'm sure you know your mind.

Yes, you're quite correct, I spend most of my time riding with my partner Inge, who has a V-Strom and she doesn't do off-road, so there's not much opportunity for me either.

That seems very bizarre. Given that most bikes in the BMW range come with alloys I would be very surprised if BMW were unable to source them from an alternative supplier.

I must admit I was very surprised too! From what my local dealer told me though, it only affects the standard 1200 GS.
However, working for Toyota at their European distribution centre in Zeebrugge, where we store and fit options on all new Toyotas and even some Lexus', where the optional extra alloy wheels come from five or more different manufacturers. So it is quite possible!

Have you contacted another dealer to see if they confirm this?

Not as yet Bob, although I will do and let you know!

 

[PaulW]

Alls GSs' must have wire wheels! (OK, Dr Rich?)

They look cool even if you don't need them and they're not that hard to look after

paul

Someone will come along and tell you GS must have wire wheels :lol:. I realy like alloys too.

I'd order quickly and take the swap:
1. You'll get the wheels you want
2. The bike sooner :lol:

But are you sure this is all 100% and not some dealer ploy?

Also bear in mind there seems a few with alloys who decide they wish they had wire, but as youve had an 1150Adv I'm sure you know your mind.

 

[Bibendum]

Hi Belgian John,

I have a set of the alloys but now want some wire wheels as I am going to use it for off road, if you want to swap??

You said you can get the wire wheels half price.. where is that from? I have been after a set for a while now but cant quite afford the full whack of a price..

 

[Dave T]

Hi Belgian John,

I have a set of the alloys but now want some wire wheels as I am going to use it for off road, if you want to swap??

You said you can get the wire wheels half price.. where is that from? I have been after a set for a while now but cant quite afford the full whack of a price..

Out of curiosity...just how much would a set of spokes set me back???

 

[Pukmeister]

I would also like some wire wheels to allow knobbly tyres for off roading, but want to keep the alloys for on-road use. Where/who is offering a lower price on spokes ??? If they are, I will be in the market for a set asap.

 

[Schtum]

Alls GSs' must have wire wheels! (OK, Dr Rich?)

They look cool even if you don't need them and they're not that hard to look after

paul

Rubbish.... For road use the alloys are better. They're easier to clean but they're also lighter and allow the bike to turn faster.

 

[VAL. H.]

Out of curiosity...just how much would a set of spokes set me back???

With discs and ABS ring, you'll not get much chainge from £1600.00


So if their doing spoked wheels at half price, thats one hell of a saving.

Cast wheels are only about two hundred pounds less that the full spoked price. Motorworks have second hand 1200 allies at around £500.00 the pair 'discs extra'.

 

[cookie]

i think anyone who's that worried about speed of turn on a GS has probably bought the wrong bike

 

[VAL. H.]

Rubbish.... For road use the alloys are better. They're easier to clean but they're also lighter and allow the bike to turn faster.

I though the allies were significantly lighter, but I was told that there is actualy only a few pounds in it

The reason the bike handels better is the rigidity of the allies, not the waight.

 

[Schtum]

i think anyone who's that worried about speed of turn on a GS has probably bought the wrong bike

I thought we'd alread established that you were a more sedentary rider.......

 

[Coolcarbon]

I though the allies were significantly lighter, but I was told that there is actualy only a few pounds in it

The reason the bike handels better is the rigidity of the allies, not the waight.

I think you'll find the weight does matter....a lot..

Less unsprung weight helps the suspension, Gyroscopic effect will not be quite as strong with less mass etc etc...

Plus of course they are easier to clean which makes one hell-of a difference to the overall performance...

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

I think you'll find the weight does matter....a lot..

Agreed.

I got a loaner bike without ABS and with cast wheels when mine (with ABS and spokes) was in for a service a couple of years ago. The handling on the loaner bike was much better.

Kai

 

[Phil Clarke]

Well they have just launched the 1200GS explorer which is only available with the alloy wheels so they are going to have to get another supplier at some point.
Personally I'd get the spoked wheels as they look much better and aren't that hard to clean (gunk and a jet wash) As for making a difference to handling - forget it - any difference will be totally unnoticable unless your name is Valentino Rossi

Phil

 

[Peter Reilly]

Having ridden a Fireblade before and after it had carbon fibre wheels fitted I have to say I completely disagree with the previous post. Lighter wheels make a huge differnce to handling because of the gyroscopic forces involved. Lower mass - especially at the rim - makes the wheel less reluctant to bank and therefore makes the bike turn in more easily. I was amazed at the difference they made.
As for the cosmetic appeal of spokes, that is purely a matter of personal taste. I have had both spokes and cast and would not go back to spokes.

 

[Coolcarbon]

As for making a difference to handling - forget it - any difference will be totally unnoticable

Unless you have the ability to feel a difference...

Strangely enough, my bike is quite a different animal with alloys on it...

 

[Schtum]

As for making a difference to handling - forget it - any difference will be totally unnoticable unless your name is Valentino Rossi

Do not judge the abilities of others on the basis of your own limitations, Grasshopper....

 

[APE]

i think anyone who's that worried about speed of turn on a GS has probably bought the wrong bike

I want maximum performance when I tour abroad but am not interested in a sportsbike as I would never get that far ! This is definitely the right bike (alloys + Pilot Roads ). Surely if you want to ride offroad you have bought the wrong bike ?