SPOKES VS MAGS

[Nortoon_imp]

I must admit I do like the looks of the alloy wheels on the 2014 Deluxe better than spokes on my 2017 EX. They just give the Deluxe a cleaner and shinier look. But when I stop for a break, it is the spoke wheels that draw mature riders to EX. I guess it is the 1970's retro look that appeals to them.

On another thread people had mentioned not liking spokes because cleaning them is a PITB. When I first got my EX I would agree. It seemed that cleaning the rim and spokes was necessary after every day ride because of chain lube fling.

Fortunately after switching to Tirox chain wax, there is no longer any grimy black grease on the rim or spokes. They do get dusty, but are much easier to clean.

Originally I used my Motul chain cleaner on paper shop towels to clean the rim of the greasy grime. For the spokes the cleaner was sprayed on a bristle brush. But it is rather unhealthy stuff, so now I only use it for my chain.

IPONE spray cleaner and polish is something I bought to clean my helmet and visor of bugs. But found it very useful for other cleaning chores because it cleans well and buffs to a clear and shiny finish. So now the rims and spokes stay cleaner. The bugs on the headlight, mirrors, horns, and forks are also easier to clean.

About the only job it can not tackle are the fried bugs on the four chrome headers. However Autosol metal polish and a stretchy sock will clean and polish them. I bought 20 pair of socks at Walmart for $10. They were not comfortable to wear, but are great throw away shop rags for this job.

[Rocky_imp]

I must admit I do like the looks of the alloy wheels on the 2014 Deluxe better than spokes on my 2017 EX. They just give the Deluxe a cleaner and shinier look. But when I stop for a break, it is the spoke wheels that draw mature riders to EX. I guess it is the 1970's retro look that appeals to them.

On another thread people had mentioned not liking spokes because cleaning them is a PITB. When I first got my EX I would agree. It seemed that cleaning the rim and spokes was necessary after every day ride because of chain lube fling.

Fortunately after switching to Tirox chain wax, there is no longer any grimy black grease on the rim or spokes. They do get dusty, but are much easier to clean.

Originally I used my Motul chain cleaner on paper shop towels to clean the rim of the greasy grime. For the spokes the cleaner was sprayed on a bristle brush. But it is rather unhealthy stuff, so now I only use it for my chain.

IPONE spray cleaner and polish is something I bought to clean my helmet and visor of bugs. But found it very useful for other cleaning chores because it cleans well and buffs to a clear and shiny finish. So now the rims and spokes stay cleaner. The bugs on the headlight, mirrors, horns, and forks are also easier to clean.

About the only job it can not tackle are the fried bugs on the four chrome headers. However Autosol metal polish and a stretchy sock will clean and polish them. I bought 20 pair of socks at Walmart for $10. They were not comfortable to wear, but are great throw away shop rags for this job.

Three of my bikes have spokes, and I like the retro look, but agree that they're a PITB to clean.
I'm pretty anal about the appearance of my bikes so it's just part of the hobby as far as I'm concerned.
Being retired gives me plenty of time for spit and polish and some of my buddies kid me about my "too clean" bikes
That's OK and Autosol is my best friend too.

[736cc_imp]

Cast rims don’t have a tube and can be plugged in an emergency w/o removing the wheel w/ a simple plug kit. Imagine being in the middle of nowhere w/ a flat; carrying a plug kit and a mini-air pump or Co2 cartridges on a motorcycle w/ cast rims is smart insurance. Most spoke wheels have tubes, and a tube puncture flat is usually a DISASTROUS pita when away from home, and at night or on Sundays + holidays even more so. Only a bike shop can fix a bike tube flat; anybody prepared or most car repair shops can plug a tubeless tire in a few minutes. Try getting a motorcycle towed; it ain’t happening. You’ll need a centerstand and tools to remove wheel then a ride to the nearest mc shop and back which can be 50 or more miles away etc. Hard to carry a wheel on a riding buddy’s bike, too.
You can also use emergency flat fix in a tubeless tire; doesn’t work on a tube puncture.
I like to keep my bikes clean and their aesthetics plays a big part in buying decision but selecting the option of spokes instead over cast wheels on the same bike because they look nicer has a big chance of being very regrettable.

[Houtman_imp]

When the tires are worn down on my 2017 I will see if I can replace the wheels with alloy ones.
It is not only the wheel but I think that most other parts have to be changed as well with a high cost associated !
Reason : difficult to repair flat while on the road .

[2017EX_imp]

Everything has its drawbacks, so knowing what they are in advance leads to an informed choice. My Harley had cast mag wheels that were chromed. Rocks would chip the casting, exposing raw material, and then ultimately the chrome would peel at the chip site. On the plus side the cast mags are not prone ( at least in my experience ) to being out of true, which can happen with spoke wheels, and as has been pointed out a flat can be plugged. I started riding motorcycles at 17 in the late 60s, and back then everything was spoke wheels with tires that had inner tubes. We were all used to it, and it was just part of riding a motorcycle. I knew and accepted all this when I bought my 2017 EX, as it was a trip back to my 1974 CB750 Four. Whereas back in the day, the rims were chromed steel, now they are anodized aluminum. Then too, back then the spokes were usually zinc plated steel, whereas now the EX has stainless spokes. Both of these developments has solved something we struggled with periodically back then...rust. Now at age 65, for me the trade offs to have the retro look of spoke wheels is worth it, but may not be to others. I use Gojo white creme hand cleaner jell ( not the orange that has grit ) on a paper towel to clean grease off rims and spokes. It is dirt cheap at any auto parts store, works very well, and is water soluble. For Chromed steel parts, I use Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish. It has no abrasives, works equally well on chrome or stainless, and is again found for reasonable at most auto parts stores.

[Cormanus]

I think spokes are much nicer to look at than alloy wheels, but perversely, I'd rather have the alloys. Partly because the tyres are tubeless, but also for ease of cleaning. The idea of spending hours cleaning individual spokes when I could be riding fills me with horror. If I can't go riding, I've generally got other things I'd rather be doing than cleaning spokes.

It's alloys for me!

[Henrik_imp]

I really like the looks of the spokes, and it certainly is one of the things that got me to decide on my EX. Several friends told me it would be a pain to clean, but to be honest I really don't find it more annoying than cast wheels. Sure, it might take a bit more time, but I actually enjoy cleaning my bike, and with some good cleaning products and rags it really doesn't take that long. Using proper lubricant in the right way on the chain also helps.

As to the issue of having a flat, that never was an argument for or against for me. I have been riding for a long time (as many of us here) and have had a large number of different bikes over the years. Some have been tube type, and a few more have been tubeless. However, I think in some 35 years I have had two flats. One was on an Africa Twin with tubes, and another was on a Vespa also with tubes. For the AT, I was able to get help easily by calling a breakdown service I use, and had the bike taken to a shop to fix, and around where I live and ride this service is always available. As for the Vespa, well since it comes with a spare, it was not an issue! Given the rare incident of the flats, I would never let that be a decisive factor when buying a bike. Sure, it might happen again tomorrow, but I don't want to buy something I like less because of it.

[Rocky_imp]

The pro and con arguments are well stated and I agree with all of them, but (knock on wood) I've ridden for over 20 years on my bikes with spokes and haven't had a flat - which of course - is not to say that it can't or won't happen - or that I actually "enjoy" cleaning spokes
I'll keep on keepin' on with spokes and take my chances with crossed fingers.
If the worst happens, CAA will come to my rescue.

[Houtman_imp]

I have had flats when on the road and could repair them with plugs and CO2 and also have repaired others while on rallies.
On my 2017 I put Ride On in the tubes and this hopefully will get me home !

[Nortoon_imp]

I now have 27 years of riding experience on more than a dozen motorcycles, nine of which had spoke wheels. The only time I had a flat was in 2014 on my new CB500XA with cast alloy wheels and tubeless radial tires. The rear tire picked up a nail or screw (the head was worn off) at about 6000 kilometers.

I was an hour from home. Fortunately there was a gas station right there, so I could re-inflate the tire. None of the garages would touch a motorcycle. So I road home on the back roads a little slower than normal.

The next day I added a bit of air and took it to my Honda Dealer. They were very reluctant to patch a tire. Probably because of the liability issue if it failed and I was in an accident. I was a little reluctant for the same reason, and probably would have been uneasy while riding the remaining life of the tire. So I had it replaced.

So I have no concern about buying another set of tires and tubes for my CB1100 EX when the time comes. But I am annoyed that the price of Avon Roadriders has increased by 30% over the last month.