Aftermarket Wheels

[ghott]

I am wondering what makes aftermarket wheels worthy of $400+ ??

Why are they so much better than the OEM wheels on a 450r?

Why exactly are beadlocks all the rage, and what kind of rider are the geared towards?

[hondaman01]

hmm my wheels were almost 700 and im glad i bought them lol lets see well for the hipers there not aluminum they dont bend warp they flex and you cant break them as for the beadlock i decided to go with beadlock when i pulled 2 of my tires off of the bead on a mx track and bending my factory one all to H when the tire came off and it it the inside of a berm beadlocks are to well lock the bead of the tire you can run as little pressure as you want to in beadlocks for more traction use less air!!

but the factory wheels are really good wheels there better then itp t-9s or douglas red blue or black labels but there not as strong as itp t-9 GP or douglas ultimates and you can get itps in black theres alot of reasons for aftermarket rims some people just want the aftermarket look some want stronger rims the itp t-9 baja's are some really strong rims with the reinforced bead rings

but the main reason for going to aftermarket rims is when you destroy the facotry ones!!

[dtzalba450r]

I don't race or anything, but when I got my first set of hipers it was for looks. Some people like the shiny aluminum, others prefer a custom powdercoated wheel with a beadlock, but as long as I can afford it I'll stick with the hipers. People always wonder what they are and to me it sets off any bike.

[Sheepless]

Originally posted by hondaman01@Aug 31 2006, 11:31 PM
but the factory wheels are really good wheels there better then itp t-9s or douglas red blue or black labels* but there not as strong as itp t-9 GP* or douglas ultimates*

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Better??
The t-9's are straight crap, the factory wheels are better in ALL aspects.
Douglas black or red with outlast the stock rims by far, but they are a bit heavier.
I have even seen an 8 inch blue label douglas last in the most extreme mountain/wooded trails.

Basically Hipers arent for everyone...if you dont need them, dont try to afford them.

[450RRR]

I will agree with Sheepless regarding ITP wheels......they simply bend....way too easily..... the T9's included....

However...I dont believe a Douglas wheel is as strong as the factory 'douple lipped' wheel as well....(except maybe the red labels or 'ultimates'.....Douglas are by far the best wheel for the money you can buy....(in MY opinion)...

Factory wheels are EXTREMELY strong.....and light... and are actually a great wheel for almost anything....problem is...they are usually all 9"... they dont have the offset im looking for....and the MAIN reason I dont use them is the L@@KS.....and the 'adjustability (ie size,offset,weight,)..... if the factory would start using either polished or painted wheels (black).. more people would probably keep them on....

stock wheels are designed similar to a Douglas 'ulitimate'.... very strong...

Hipers are 'considered' to be one of the 'lightest' beadlocks out there.... ive picked a few up.....and didnt consider them all that 'light', but didnt have the opportunity to weigh them...so I cant say....... yes, they probably wont bend given the fact they are made out of a polymer......but then again....Hiper had a recall not too long ago on their wheels due to a defect causing cracking......so who knows....

Beadlocks are designed to 'lock' the wheel onto the bead of the tire....(hence the name).....now usually this doesnt benifit a whole lot in the area of being able to run lower air pressures...cuzz the air pressure that usually "works" the best...is enough to keep the tire on the wheel..... however, what it DOES do is allow you to finish a race.....when/if your tire becomes punctured or your wheel becomes damaged to the point where air will escape...... certainly not necessary for the average rec rider....but if your racing on the circuit....and every lap counts.....a DNF is the last thing you want......so they are worth it to racers.....

other 'strenghtening' designs are the reinforced bead rings....such as the ITP 'Baja'...... or aftermarket as the OMF (my choice).... these rings are welded along the bead area.....usually outside but sometimes inside as well...... they are light...and greatly reduce the bead from bending and causing an issue...... the OMF 's are avalable in several colors and also either smooth or scalloped.....(lighter and looks better)....

and.......most guys have more than ONE set of tires/wheels.....and if you have ever priced out your stock wheels....... well, they aint exactly CHEAP to replace...

jmho....Greg

[ghott]

Wow, thanks for all the great info guys.

Wheels 101, A+ :)

[hondaman01]

dang i just realized i have a problem with run on sentences. i need to go back to english class.

[rap169]

i thought my baja itp wheels were great till i strted bending them in xc racing. After that i bought my hipers and think its the best thing ive ever put on my quad

[hondaman01]

Originally posted by rap169@Sep 3 2006, 07:33 PM
i thought my baja itp wheels were great till i strted bending them in xc racing. After that i bought my hipers and think its the best thing ive ever put on my quad

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EXACTLY

[hondaman01]

the hipers pay for themselves over time!!!

[Ripper]

Originally posted by hondaman01@Sep 3 2006, 11:47 PM
the hipers pay for themselves over time!!!

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And they look PIMP-IN

[hondaman01]

Originally posted by 450Ripper+Sep 4 2006, 09:56 AM-->

And they look PIMP-IN

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[/b]

exactly!!!!