Snowy, Excel certainly does make a 1.85"x21", as does DID with their excellent Dirt Star (stock on the 950 SE, these things are tough!). But knowing the way you ride, why would you consider anything other than a 1.6"x21" A60 or Dirt Star ST-X for optimal strength? It's not like your focus is on tarmac, and they would still handle ok anyway.
Technically you should use heat and a press to straighten the rim out instead of hammering. Unless you get it really close to straight, we use the runout of +/- 0.010", then the rim will continue to be more likely to bend further in the area that is already bent. Hammering it out is really only a short term fix to get the bike home or to next destination where can be repaired or replaced. The rim is far more likely to crack when you don't straighten with proper techniques. If you continue to hammer out and bend the rim, it will eventually crack, still the wheel will not disintegrate because you have the spokes/nipples holding in place and tire around it. An interesting thing about the stock Behr rim, is that because it is so soft, it actually has been less likely to crack when repaired then other rims, but more likely to bend again because of the attributes of the aluminum used to manufacture it. As you mentioned there is a solution, going to a narrower and higher quality rim. If you want to be able to use your stock spokes and nipples and stock lace pattern, then the two options are the Excel 21x1.85($290) and the DID DirtStar 21x1.85($199), These rims will significantly decrease likelihood of rim bending and do little to change on-road performance. If doing more aggressive off-road riding, and want the 21x1.60 A60 rim($199 + drilling & spokes), you would need to drill the rim or have drilled for a x3/x2 lace pattern, and increase the length and angle of spoke on one side to make it work with the stock hub. Otherwise if wanted to go with the 21x1.60($214), but did not want to swap out the spokes/nipples, or change lace pattern, we can get the double signature 7000 series Excel custom drilled and anodized in black. Excel does not yet offer an off the shelf available to everyone 21x1.85 Euro drilled black rim because they have seen the market and specialty in dirtbike rims and there are really no dirtbikes that require a 21x1.85" rim and none that have the Euro lace pattern. We do foresee that they will have such a rim more widely available in the future, but for now we have them custom made to our specs either directly from Excel or by anodizing silver ones that we purchase. Supply and demand. The DID Dirtstar rim, outside of the one that has been available from KTM off of the SuperEnduro has only become more widely available from DID in the past 3-4 months as they have seen an increased market for it and why available for less expensive price, although KTM still retails the same rim for $295, that DID retails for $199. I do not know about the SM Pro rim, it certainly is not as high a quality as the Excel or DID and do make sure that it is Euro drilled if you plan on re-using stock spokes and nipples. Hope that clarifies some things. Thanks, Chris (Woody is in Moab at the GS Trophy & Adventure Rider Challenge this week, check out here: http://www.adventureriderchallenge.com/)
Thank you. I'll be looking to buy something soon. Spring has sprung. Unfortunately for me, I started a new job that see's me rolling in cash and strapped for riding time (I know, life has a cruel ironic twist to it). So I'll spend some money on the dirty little German whore and see if I can rekindle the relationship on short, violent, sensual liaison type forays into the bush. I'll take protection. I have a new satellite phone. "Hello...BMW roadside assistance? I've broken my BMW. Where? Locstat, prepare to copy..."
I too have been a victim of the soft stock rims, 5 days old 2012 GS Trophy with less than 700km, riding along a forest road here in OZ. Put a nice 10mm flare in the front rim, granted hit some pot holes but tyres were at 2.4 bar. Very disappointing and as I rode the same tracks/roads with my 2002 F650GS Dakar with no probs, anyway got new rim SM Pro Platinum from John Titman Racing in Capalaba. Very impressed with service/communication and as others have recommended overseas wheel builders thought I would say if in OZ get in touch with John and the crew.
I have a 2011 F800GS, I have stock rims (about the only thing left on the bike that is stock). I ride very aggressive off road and have not suffered any dents, I have done more damage changing my tires than any of my riding has. I have also ridden about 10miles on a flat rear and suffered no damage. Is this an issue with years, lots, or just user dependent? In terms of use I utilize my bike more like a much lighter weight MX machine and haven't had any issue? When will my reckoning occur? I am always worried about this because I am planning a long distance (Alaska ride) and cannot have something like this occur but given that I haven't had any issues yet should I fret it?
runnin4melife after my research, I suspect it might have more to do with the weight of the rider, I know in my case I'm not what you call small, 6'2 about 250+ pounds (converted!). Another thing I notice is that the F800GS is quick, the combination of quick response and height may or may not mean the rider see's the potholes or other hazard. of course could just be my crappy riding abilitybut then again ? Just my thoughts 'cause I couldn't believe I'd damaged mine on what I travelled. Cheers
I had considered that as well as tire inflation and types of tires. I am 185 w/general gear on and run TKC 80s (generally at why rated PSI) and have really crushed the front on some horrid rocks (stopped and immediately inspected because of this issue others have had) and suffered no damage. I have 6500 miles so I am in the low range but 80% of that has been off road.
I too am in the same situation.... Woody seemed to think that they could have stiffened up the rims in later years. (several pages back) I have a 2010, and no bent rims... knock on wood... Ryan
I do have a small bend in my 2010 rim...and I hope to not do any more! I think suspension changes and tire pressure (and tires) can have a lot to do with it. Sounds like runnin4melife has hot-rodded suspension of some sort. Dave
Nothing as crazy as a few people with an 800 on here but I have a full Ohlins setup, which by the way is worth it in my opinion, even if you ride mostly street it is a tremendous upgrade and I attribute it to keeping me upright after hitting a 16 penny nail and having an instant flat at 80 MPH. I am just trying to determine what is the new investment I am going to be dropping money on seeing as I have to be sneaky about it already hahaha
I tried. They heard F800GS and I got a lot of ums and errs, then I got a run around. Much the same as every wheel builder here that I've rung. If you aren't actually standing in the shop they just don't seem to want to know you. Not to mention the ones that take your credit card details, promise delivery, and you never hear from them again. I'll keep spending my money overseas. Oz retailers don't seem to want it. Try ordering Ohlins suspension in Oz. Pay double the US price and have some disinterested dumb prick spin you a line of shit. Oz bike retailing is shit. Always was, and probably always will be.
Wow! Front flat at 80 and staying up! Good on ya! I've had a front flat at 80(kph) on a different bike a few years ago & on a dirt road and I went straight into the ditch before I knew what was happening :eek1. I was fine and the bike was ok too except for a broken windscreen (and front flat). I'm running Hyperpro springs up front which definitely made a big difference and it doesn't blow through it's travel anymore (now I can hit stuff harder ). The springs are taking some of the sting out of what the rims get I think. Ohlins sure would be nice though! Dave
Yeah I thought my front wheel was about to come apart, it was definitely a scare. I praised my suspension and then bought a set of spare tubes and a best rest air pump after that. Insult to injury, I got stuck in Virginia for quite a few hrs trying to figure out how to get back to Maryland. I have crashed on the track and the street before but this was prime time high speed traffic so I was extremely lucky to stay upright (75% luck 24.9% suspension 0.1% skill)
Save your money. Ohlins is way over rated. Yes, I may be riding 2 up mostly, but the Ohlins provided only better basic response to trail chop and intermediate hits. Even solo it wasn't up to the task. Nicer to ride in general, but blows through the stroke because they have no anti bottom out valving. The further off road I took it, the more obvious it was. It took a full revalve and several respring attempts to get it anywhere near where I expected it to be. I tired a KTM 990 Adventure again today, and the standard out of the box suspension on it is far superior to my modified Ohlins. Even 2 up. That's a waste of $2300 for me so far. Add that to the new price of the F800 and....yep...you've got a 990. It's hard to smile after that. At the end of the day, if you're chasing better suspension purely for off road work, then you bought the wrong bike. Yeah, you can keep spending money until the F800 goes almost as well as a 990. But it will always be almost. Plus it'll actually cost you more.
I had to add our current trip experience with the rims so far. Truth is I was on the side of the argument that the rims are crap and even talked to Woody's about new sets for both my bike and the wife's for our journey. Then we started the ride and we have ridden over 20k miles thus far in three months. Plenty of nasty stuff (Dempster, Gravelly range, Utah slick rock, etc) the rims have been tested for what they were meant to handle. Plus the bikes are loaded for bear and then some ( I'm 6.1, 230lbs and gear totals 140lbs.). The verdict is the rims have performed perfectly. Have we been lucky maybe and perhaps we don't ride the bikes as hard as we would close to home (we are heading around the world after all). If you are a weekend warrior or prepared to beat on the machine new rims are a must and Woody's are clearly the way to go . If you are an over-lander and riding the country, continent or the globe then you are going to be a lot kinder to your machine and new rims may not be required. In the end its a choice and a money thing. Be kinder to the machine and ride farther with the funds or go hardcore beat the machine and either have a fatter wallet or don't get to ride nearly as far. Suspension on the other hand don't get me started........
What Ohlins setup do you have and where did you get it at, plus what is your weight? I haven't had any problems with mine from Fastbikes (NIX kit) shy of a few adjustments and an oil adjustment. Of course if I get silly I can get it close to bottoming out but haven't yet and I have jumped some gnarly things. Your suspension sounds based on what you describe to be under sprung and poor valving.
I had a long winded reply but it got lost in the ether. You haven't had problems with yours. That's great. Mine sucks big hairy balls. Ohlins is cheap shit. They sell a standard off the shelf shock that isn't set up for anything. Basic riding, basic weight. Despite asking me all about weight and riding style, which was futile and pointless. It took several revalves to get it anywhere near right, and it still sucks balls. No bottom out valving. Fuck me, even the standard Sachs works better as far as bottom out goes. It has the heaviest rear spring on the Ohlins list, 22kg/mm. It still sucks hairy dogs balls. It was set up by the same guy who has done 3 dirt bikes for me and they've all been perfect. He went to Le Mans to do suspension work for the last 24 hour. He knows what he's doing. I stopped short of spending money on replacing the internals of the front end. Because I had decided to replace the bike. By the time I buy rims and front cartridges etc I'd have paid enough to upgrade the suspension that I could have just bought an Enduro bike and kept the BMW for road riding. I know the salesman at the KTM store, my son used to work there. I was offered $1500 discount on a new 990 without asking. If they offer me $10k for the Austro-Bavarian hunk of junk they can have it. I'll throw in all the spares I have for free.