Street tires on a WR250 R - Why not a 21 inch front?

Ok, so I'm playing with the idea of getting some extra wheels and tires for riding some street with the WRR.

And I see that there are aftermarket wheels available, but they're bloody expensive ($1000+ without tires).

So I'm thinkin':
They make street tires in a 21 inch size.
Why not just buy another set of WRR wheels and mount street tires on them? Presto, no brake disc issues, etc. Just swap and go.

Now, I know that the 21 inch front street tire won't be as wide, and won't grip quite as hard as the WRX front wheel/tire would, but I'm not that hardcore of a rider.

Also, I'm guessing that using a smaller front wheel would lower the front end quite a bit, wouldn't it? Like 3+ inches? Maybe it would feel better to have the "normal" front wheel on there?

Anyway, thoughts?

Why not? Thats why they're made, so people can get a street ride on a dual sport with a 21" front. I'm happier commuting and road riding on my 50/50 tires as it is (shinko 244's) so I imagine of no dirt was on the distant horizon a straight street tire would make sense.

What size Shinko's you running, skierd? How's the fit?

3.00x21 front. 4.60x18 rear

So I called the yamaha dealer, and for just the parts, it's over $1000 for a set of replacement R wheels. Then I still have to get the wheels assembled and trued, and mount tubes and tires.

Oy.

Maybe I can find some wheels off of a destroyed WRR or something on ebay...

So why don't you just put street tires on the wheels you have now?

...how's the fit? <<< hijacker

Krabill:

What I was wanting to have was an extra set of wheels that I could just swap out anytime I wanted. Right now I have the most awesomenest and bestest Michelin AC10's on there, and they are great off road (and I do deep mud and snow, so the stock dual sport tires were not an option), but feel like knobbies on road. They're not "bad", but you can't lean them very hard. I can say this, they are nicely progressive as far as losing grip on the pavement, no "holy crap where did the grip go" the way pure off road knobbies are.

Soooo, I figure for the price of a stand and $1500 or so, I could have two bikes in 10 minutes, one very capable off road, and one really good (if not super powered) in the twisties. Maybe even sign up for a motard race which they have near here, with jumps and such. Can't do that on the AC10's... :)

Back on topic: Wheeling's got a set of 'R' rims (in kewl colors) for about $300 less than their 'X' wheels. $850 +shipping

http://www.wheelingcyclesupply.com/shop/1/12/index.shtml

The $850 ones are to put dirt wheels on an X, the option to put street wheels on an R is $1,050, or am I reading that wrong?

GusinCA wrote:

The $850 ones are to put dirt wheels on an X, the option to put street wheels on an R is $1,050, or am I reading that wrong?

That is the way it reads, however, they're the same hubs; so I'm guessing he worded it that way just because he didn't conceive of anyone wanting to buy a second set of wheels the same as they already have. Give him a call or email him, he's good to deal with.

Even if the set of X wheel is a little more expensive than the R it is worth it from my point of view.

There is a better choice of tires for the road for the 17" wheels than for the 21".

And driving a WR with the 17" wheels on the road is really different even at the performance level.

But does it lower the front end a lot? I would think the handlebars would be 2 inches or so closer to the ground, no?
Might feel wierd leaned forward like that, especially in a panic stop?
Someone educate me.

It changes the geometry of the bike. It does so in a way that the 21" helps it keep it's track in through rocks, ruth and in soft ground. I didn't touch the ride height rear or front and I'm convinced that the changes are only needed to suit the riding style of the driver. Only the rear sag needs to be adjusted. I soften the spring for offroad use unless I intend to run full throttle on speedy trails.

With the 17" the direction is more precise and sharp. The 17" road tires are also lighter and the bikes runs faster. The road tires last longer for the same style of riding. Since I'm not very tall the lower 17" helps in the city. I must say the WR is my main vehicule for 8 months a year.


I started with 17" knobbies, after I got a 21" front wheel with still the 17" rear wheel. Now I have 18" rear and 21" front.

The difference is not hard to feel. I installed a 150/80 17 on the rear wheel and I will revert to a 140 because of the weight.

I would suggest you try an X before deciding. That way you'll be able to feel for yourself the difference.