Wheel weights and tyres

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ReggieGasket · #1 Post by **ReggieGasket** » Sat May 01, 2010 7:41 pm

I bought some OZ wheels for my Falco last year and put some Dunlop GP tyres on ready for some track days. I tried them out last week. When I picked up the OZ wheel and then picked up the standard wheel (both with inflated tyres on) I found them very similar. Now the OZ wheel without a tyre felt incredibly light, so I began to think. Firstly, the standard wheels are clearly very light too. Secondly, maybe the tyres were having an impact here too. Perhaps a big impact. My standard wheels have Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tyres on and the OZ wheels have the Dunlop gp tyres. I suspect the Michelins are very light. I notice Michelin have a new 2CT tyre - the Pilot Pure - which they claim is the lightest dual compound tyre ever. They are clearly trying to make light tyres. I just looked at the DUnlop website and can't see data on tyre weight. I can't see weight data on the Michelin website either. I also wonder about the weight of the air in the tyre. If the tyre requires a higher air pressure, could this also affect weight? Anyway, I think we need to know. Will try to weigh my wheels to get a clearer picture and do some more research on tyre weights.

D-Rider · #2 Post by **D-Rider** » Sat May 01, 2010 7:51 pm

Not all OZ wheels are the same .....

Take a look at the last post in this thread: https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.ph ... t&start=16

The worst are the ones that Aprilia made that look like OZ wheels but aren't - they weigh slightly more than the standard Brembos

ReggieGasket · #3 Post by **ReggieGasket** » Sat May 01, 2010 8:16 pm

Yes, I saw that last year, thanks D-Rider. I think I have the light Mille R wheels from around 2001, but I'm not 100% sure. Assuming I have, it looks like the difference in weight between the OZ wheels and standard is 800 grams on the front and 1500 grams on the rear (2300 grams in total). That's not a big difference, but well worth having. What I want to know is what is the difference in weight between tyres? With a tyre being a greater diameter, differences in weight will have a larger impact. Michelin claim a set of their new Power Pure is 2 lbs lighter than - Bridgestone BT-016, Dunlop Qualifier 2, Metzeler Sportec M3, Pirelli Diablo Rosso. 2 lbs is 900 grams. So we're in a similar ball park here. More sports touring orientated tyres could be heavier? Anyway, will look into this and get a clearer handle on my wheels. I'll also weight my CB500 wheels to get a feel for how light the standard wheels are in comparison.

D-Rider · #4 Post by **D-Rider** » Sat May 01, 2010 8:38 pm

Yes - I thought about this too which is why I went for the Diablo Rossos (they were some of the lighter tyres when i fitted them).

I noticed a significant difference when I fitted the OZs and Rossos so if tyre weight has moved down again, that could be even better in taming those gyroscopes.

That said, I love those Rossos .... changing from them to a brand I've not much experience with would be quite a roll of the dice.

ReggieGasket · #5 Post by **ReggieGasket** » Sun May 02, 2010 7:40 pm

I can't seem to find any information on tyre weights! Anyone own a tyre shop?

D-Rider · #6 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun May 02, 2010 8:28 pm

ReggieGasket wrote:I can't seem to find any information on tyre weights! Anyone own a tyre shop?

No but I can sell you some that I've put in some considerable effort and many miles in lightening them.

Of course you have to pay a bit above the normal cost of a set of tyres for such a premium service.

HisNibbs · #7 Post by **HisNibbs** » Sun May 02, 2010 8:52 pm

Just fitted Oz to mine and also replaced the Dunlops that were on them with Michelin Pilot road 2CT. I was told about the Pures but don't want to change too much at once.

I did a comparative weighing between the Brembos complete with discs, tyres and sprockets etc. The Oz front was 2kg lighter the rear just under 1kg. My scales may be a bit naff but I think the gold Brembo discs that came with the OZ front, are a significant part of the weight saving.

Any way all other things being equal light tyres would be very attractive. Maybe next time.

radialfalco · #8 Post by **radialfalco** » Mon May 03, 2010 6:12 am

Oz. Brembos, Marchesini...... no, no, no.

If you want to be lighter you´ve got to mount BST cf rims, it´s the better option. Realy feell that you don´t have wheels under your bike.

D-Rider · #9 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon May 03, 2010 9:31 am

...... and if I could afford them, they would already be on my bike ......

fastasfcuk · #10 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Mon May 03, 2010 9:34 am

would'nt we all.

D-Rider · #11 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon May 03, 2010 9:47 am

D-Rider wrote:...... and if I could afford them, they would already be on my bike ......

fastasfcuk wrote:would'nt we all.

They help you do this??

ReggieGasket · #12 Post by **ReggieGasket** » Mon May 03, 2010 10:55 am

We need to separate all these elements out or comparison doesn't help. Will weigh my OZ wheels with Dunlop GP tyres later. Then compare to Brembo wheels with Michelin tyres later this week when they come off. I'm ignoring those CF wheels...

radialfalco · #13 Post by **radialfalco** » Mon May 03, 2010 2:35 pm

ReggieGasket wrote:We need to separate all these elements out or comparison doesn't help. Will weigh my OZ wheels with Dunlop GP tyres later. Then compare to Brembo wheels with Michelin tyres later this week when they come off. I'm ignoring those CF wheels...

Samray · #14 Post by **Samray** » Mon May 03, 2010 3:47 pm

I'm sure CF wheels don't work as well in Great Pot-hole Britain.

#15 Post by **Kwackerz** » Mon May 03, 2010 4:09 pm

I assume theyre the sort of wheels you stand next to the guy when he changes the tyre, with a big hammer in your hand to persuade him to be careful! I'd be too scared to let someone change the tyres i think!