I was thinking of getting some Excel complete wheel set but have no idea how to go about this. for my dirt-bike it was as easy as selecting the year/model...
Easy in the sense that if you called say Woody's wheels, he can make you a set if you were to order for the F/G650GS. Someone here on the forum has already had that done. Any wheel from a BMW single F650GS or G650GS from 2001 to 2013 is the same wheel, cast or wire. The X challenge and the X Country are the exception. I have a set of those and have not tried to install yet but I am planning to try and see if they work as well. I would love to get the part number for the EXCEL rims that work. I would lace my own. That would be the million dollar question.
I realize this is an old thread, but I contacted Woody's and RAD Mfg... neither has a rear hub for our bikes (F650). For some reason, RAD makes the front, but not the rear. I was bummed to hear that because I asked RAD prior to buying a Strada, and the guy I spoke to said they did make a set. He was wrong. I'd like to have a spoked set, but would prefer the not-so-common 19/17 that I currently have. (I already have a street legal dirtbike, so I don't need 21/18 on this one.)
If you want a 19/17 Spoke set, just find a used set from a BMW 2009 G650GS or previous years F650GS single. They are all compatible, you just have to watch how old of an F650GS you get them from as the cush hubs were different. If you do get the matching cush hub to go with the wheel it should be OK. The 2013 & 2014 G650GS had them as options too, but I doubt you will find them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/09-BMW-G-65...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a8ccb3327&vxp=mtr I would opt for one without a "Wooble" though. http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Rear-Wh...Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ed668ff4f&vxp=mtr
I figure, if I'm spending the money, I'd want to get good quality hubs... not old BMW junk. Plus, I'd be worried about buying one that didn't fit correctly (it's not like I could "return" them). I'd definitely want a cush hub. I'm not impressed with what I've seen from BMW parts so far- I'd much rather buy aftermarket. (Thanks for the links, though.)
I understand your issues with the BMW quality. Not sure the hubs themselves are junk, but the bearings are.
Kenneth Webb is the TR650 owner who has had his wheels done at Woody's with Excel rims and the stock hubs. I second that I would not worry about the quality of the Beemer hubs. Ken and I beat on our bikes with full loads off road and have had no trouble with them. I am jealous of his wheel set. They are silky smooth to ride and they bring the quality of the bike way up. I will most likely have mine done this winter. Toyboy mentioned building a set…that sounds like fun and a good way to save a lot of money.
As a Strada owner I went with a custom front 21" Excel rim and RAD hub from Woody's. It's a stout unit. For rear I went with a used 17" F650GS with ABS ring installed off eBay and it's worked....although the 21/17 combination seems to be at the edge of ABS read range and turns over to errors as I wear the rear tire off more than the front. Woody's had made it clear to me a year ago they didn't have the rear hub and would have to provide a BMW one. Now I could use the existing hub and upgrade to an 18" Excel rim and spokes. To my knowledge the only other option than a BMW rear hub would be a Terra rear hub....which you might as well get the whole wheel. I've done a detailed thread on this all before.
I just sent an email to Woody's asking for 17" wheels and spokes, front and rear, that will match up to my stock Terra hubs. Is it true that the spoke to wheel pattern on the 01-13 F650GS is the same as the Terra? Going to 17"s on this bike is harder that I thought. Warp 9 and Motostrano didn't know what to do and didn't want to really help me. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
I'm sure Woody's can supply a set of 17"rims and re-lace your existing wheels by using your hubs. NO, not all/every 01-13 F650GS wheel fits!! There are the F650 singles with various wheels/ hubs, then the F650GS twins with other wheels again. The F650GS Dakar (single) 04-07 and the G650 Sertao wheels will fit as well as the G650 GS laced wheels of the first 2 years of the model (before they split into normal GS and Sertao models). Hey, don't blame me for all this shyte...BMW started it :-))) Got my thoughts on a 17" front for a Terra, but.... your bike, your $$, your choice.
hmm.. if I had the bux to throw at this upgrade, think I would go for a 18" x 3.5" rim on the rear. (standard is 18" x 3") Reason! A 150 tyre would look pretty Fat on this cycle and there are a few options around like Mitas, Perilli, or a Karoo3 etc in 18s. There seems to be enough room as is, first point of contact is the chain guard, if need be you could space it out? or modify or fabricate one. hmmm just thinkin
I've been using a 150 mitas e07 rear now for several hundred miles on my stock strada 17x3 rim. No problems.
Yeh for the 18x3 it looks like a goer too, but for the wider rim upgrade, don't know? The Excel 18x3.5" or 4" is just a looks thing thingy, pose or wank or What-Ever! I recently was advised (x 2) not to put a 150 on a 3" rim but that wasn't going to stop me, what did was, no stock of 150karoo3 in Aust And settled for 140. I know a couple have 150s here in Oz also. If a bigger rim takes your fancy and you have the cash, why not? Some Terra's will never make it to the dirt. Can you tell my eyes & stomach rule me
Are you using the stock axle? I've got a 19x2.5 Excel rim on a RAD hub (front), and I'm having a problem with the fit on the non-rotor side. RAD isn't sure what to do, because they weren't expecting the tapered (or, shouldered) axle that the TR has (BMW uses an axle which has the same thickness for the whole length).
I'm planning on having Excel rims laced to my stock hubs, probably by Buchanan since they are located much closer to me in the greater Los Angeles area. It looks like it will run about $1k for both wheels using Excel rims and SS spokes with them building the wheels. You can save about $200 if you build them yourself. I'll have them build the wheels so they turn out perfect. I've laced up dirt bike wheels before and they came out OK, but for this bike I want them perfect. I have no issues with the stock hubs at all.
Yes, stock. I don't remember a "taper", but Woody's saying that because the axle is hollow in a portion that substituting with an axle they could machine as impractical. Other than having to adjust the spokes slightly (7 or 8 loosen notches on one side and 7 or 8 tighten on the other) made the spacing work.
My axle has a shoulder on the non-rotor side which I'm guessing serves as a spacer. The problem is, the shoulder is so long, it goes inside my hub a bit. RAD hasn't figured it out yet, but I'm really hoping they do, because I'm stuck until then. Thanks for the reply... it's nice to know someone else got the RAD hub to work.
Are you saying that Woody's said our axle is too hollow to machine down? RAD is suggesting I get a machine shop to turn down the thick part of the axle from 24mm to 17mm. They think that will work, if the axle isn't too thin inside.
