Anyone tried GP125 wets on standard FXR150 rims?

[Damien_Toman]

GP125 wets are on my shopping list. Crawling around Hampton Downs in the wet on slicks was frustrating - especially since I love riding the big circuits with more space and faster corners . I wonder how GP125 wets would work on my standard FXR rims?

Do you think I need to move to GSXR250 rims? Other rim suggestions? Advice either way will be much appreciated. I'll make the investment if it will make a significant difference.

[Rick 52]

The FXR rims are fine ..Thats all I have ..They fit better than the slicks ..Finding good value wets is the biggest problem.

[Damien_Toman]

Thanks Rick. I had not noticed that you use standard FXR150 wheels for the wets - hmm - I already have a spare set of FXR150 wheels . I just felt that the extra rubber on the road with wider rims would be a big difference in the wet. ???

I've been happy with slicks on my FXR150 wheels until recently, as they have passed their wear limit (just on the right hand side). I am now finding that the front end breaks away more often and also needs to be inflated harder as it has aged (last Sunday it felt like my front wheel was loose until I pumped it up to 19.5 PSI). I'm a total newbee on slicks and wets as in my old days we had to race road tyres . Any advice will be much appreciated.

[Dutchee]

Damien, I think Henk will have my bike on the Saturday next month. I've got impulse wheels on it (with slicks). You're welcome to grab it and take it out to see if you feel any difference with the fatter wheels. If it's not there, Craig's will be. Neither him nor I will be heading to the Saturday (North island round).

Craig won't even ask for a leave pass for two days (the 3yo monster does have a lot to do with it hehe) and I'm going to a Pro Rider training day at Puke (no, that will still not help me speed up on the track, and I've enough demerits to not want to speed up on the road - I'm waiting for the day I give up riding in disgust with how pathetic I am, but somehow I still have a shit load of fun riding and that's what it's all about for me).
Michelle

[Damien_Toman]

That's a great idea Michelle. I might not feel comfortable pushing hard on someone else's bike and that is where the difference will be most noticeable. I still want to do it though .

Enjoy Puke. You are going great and you are also scoring well in the points - unlike some of us .

[Dutchee]

Damien, no points last round as B grade actually had a great turnout (as well as A grade). My points are a joke, as I'm pretty consistently last unless someone crashes out. It is all about having fun, and when I'm not having fun, I'm not going to ride.

I wasn't comfortable on Sunday and definitely didn't enjoy the points race that I did (funny, I enjoyed the rest of the day), but I'll be itching for a ride again come December.

Anyways, I'll tell Henk to expect you to grab a ride on a spare bike next month (he'll probably read this thread anyways, knowing him - hell, why bother talking to the person next to you when you can just type in a public forum hahaha j/k).

[Henk]

Damien

Impulse wheels are the same width and require less modification.
GSXR wheel exchange
Front- machine hubs for different bearings, fit different spacers unless you are happy to have front and rear wheels 4mm out of line
Rear- fit different bearings, bore out mid wheel spacer, make new spacer for right side, machine 12mm off disk carrier (has been done between 10mm and 13mm as far as I can tell)

Impulse wheel swap
Front- make new spacers unless 4mm out as above. Axle same size
Rear- Machine 12mm off disk carier, axle same size, spacer stays the same.

If you want to try the wider wheels on your bike tell me if you want to try Michelles or Craigs next meet (Impulse vs GSXR). As long as you can find front and rear paddock stands we can hang one of our bikes in the air with no wheels while you try it out, tyres may be diferent but your bike will be the same and you can see what, if any difference they make.
Personally I found from riding Michelles bike on stock rims with slicks the first time I rode (and crashed) it that with the stock rims the front tucks earlier and faster so you can't chuck it in as hard and when it washes you have less time to recover. This was in the dry before I got a bit keen and went out and crashed it on slicks in the wet, I should have known better, the number of times I have done the wet track + slick tyre = crash equation is just embarrassing.

[hmurphy]

One big difference I noticed going from standard rims with slicks to rims that spread the tires properly was that it turned in more steadily and didn't try to suck you into the corner. In other words it rolls smoother when turning. I rode on a mates bike recently with pinched slicks and it did the same thing as mine used to. You notice the difference with a properly spread tire (well I definitely did and my mate did). As for the wets, they are mint! They will still work fine on the standard rims as long as the rubber is still very soft I would imagine. Stale wets (when the rubber isn't soft like chewing gum anymore) are fairly average as I have experienced haha. The slide and you crash haha.

[Damien_Toman]

Impulse wheel swap
Front- make new spacers unless 4mm out as above. Axle same size
Rear- Machine 12mm off disk carier, axle same size, spacer stays the same.

Henk, as always, to the rescue! I definitely want to try full width rims and you have convinced me about Impulse. Now, where can I buy some Impulse wheels, anyone?

[Damien_Toman]

One big difference I noticed going from standard rims with slicks to rims that spread the tires properly was that it turned in more steadily and didn't try to suck you into the corner. In other words it rolls smoother when turning. I rode on a mates bike recently with pinched slicks and it did the same thing as mine used to. You notice the difference with a properly spread tire (well I definitely did and my mate did). ....

Thanks Hamish. Again, I'm convinced. I've also seen you ride at Kaitoke - awesome angles . So, if anyone spots Impluse wheels for sale, I'm a buyer.

[Henk]

Now, where can I buy some Impulse wheels, anyone?

Trame me is your friend. Although I haven't seen many lately and have been keeping an eye out from curiousity, and because the disk on my wet rim is a bit wobbly.
If you decide to go the expensive route and try the wreckers the model designation is GSX400X. You want one of the front disks as well.

One thing I forgot to mention is that the GSXR250 disks don't work in the FXR front end, they have a smaller diameter and wear a step in the brake pads, although I think some people are using them anyway, the GSXR rims I'm running have Impulse disks on them, Impulse, FXR and GSXR rear disks all seem to be the same. The other option is to go for a complete GSXR front end, the forks seem better and they bolt straight up. I think Dukeman and Pumba have gone down this road.

[Kickaha]

One big difference I noticed going from standard rims with slicks to rims that spread the tires properly was that it turned in more steadily and didn't try to suck you into the corner. In other words it rolls smoother when turning.

I was the first person down here to do the "wide wheel" conversion using GSXR250 wheels about 5-6 years ago and would agree with that, the bike felt more stable turning in and through the corner

I thought it was the single best modification that could be done to the bike

[Damien_Toman]

Trame me is your friend. Although I haven't seen many lately and have been keeping an eye out from curiousity, and because the disk on my wet rim is a bit wobbly.
If you decide to go the expensive route and try the wreckers the model designation is GSX400X. You want one of the front disks as well.

One thing I forgot to mention is that the GSXR250 disks don't work in the FXR front end, they have a smaller diameter and wear a step in the brake pads, although I think some people are using them anyway, the GSXR rims I'm running have Impulse disks on them, Impulse, FXR and GSXR rear disks all seem to be the same. The other option is to go for a complete GSXR front end, the forks seem better and they bolt straight up. I think Dukeman and Pumba have gone down this road.

Much appreciated Henk. Do the GSXR250 forks slot into the existing triple-clamps? I use standard FXR ignition, speedo etc and have changed handlebars etc .

[Damien_Toman]

........
I thought it was the single best modification that could be done to the bike

Thanks Kickaha. In my "must do" category now.

[Arronduke]

the GSXR forks are 38mm

Dont know what the FXr forks diamiter is but I am sure they are around 33-35mm

the GSXR front end just bolted stright in.. only the lock stop needed to be sorted and that was easy with a drill and a couple of bolts.