Few questions about chrome wheels

dustin-954RR · 04-21-2007, 11:27 AM

Thinking about getting chrome wheels for my bike..just had a couple questions..

Does chrome wheels really affect the handling of your bike? and how much did you pay for them if you have them? The local bike shop is charging $800 and that is turning your old ones in as a core. There is a few on ebay where you turn yours in and they send you a set for like $600...would you trust their quality?

ApriliaSL · 04-21-2007, 01:16 PM

The chrome will affect nothing as far as handling.
If it were me I would pass on the chrome, bad taste but this is just MO, rather spend the $ on some light weight wheels that while more expensive will give you a very good performance boost.

jk750 · 04-21-2007, 02:19 PM

Chrome adds some weight. If you have chrome wheels, you probably won't notice any difference.

Nates98cbr · 04-21-2007, 02:44 PM

I'd have them polished out before chromed, I dont dig either though on a bike.

2_wheeled_slave · 04-21-2007, 04:06 PM

Normally, I don't like chrome on sportbikes, but I've seen some that I really like. Oh, some guy on here showed physically how much difference the chrome makes in handling by taking the average surface area multiplied by the average thickness of chrome, then added all of it to the outer ring of the rim which would hurt performance the most, and it all added up to practically nothing. Don't worry about performance. If you like it and it's worth it to you, go for it.

Smitty · 04-21-2007, 04:31 PM

Chrome or shiny things are for HD to Cruiser riders to beginners. Last thing I would want on any of my sportikes would be chromed or polished wheels.

As m/c riders, to dealers, to those that have been on m/cs for so many years. We worked like 'ell to get the makers to reduce the white or such colours down to BLACK only & it started to come in '97.

sfarson · 04-21-2007, 06:10 PM

Would say it depends on the bike. Have seen some where it looks very good... chrome or polished, but more often than not it can look out of place on a dedicated sporting ride. Would note a Buell Cyclone M2 I once owned came with chromed PM wheels as a factory option, and on this bike it fit very well. Probably have never owned a bike drawing as many walkarounds and rave reviews as I have with this thing, and believe it was the PM wheels versus another black or painted wheel setting it apart.

FWIW, could fly on the bike, with no ill effect from the chrome.

Leeiswho2b · 04-21-2007, 06:47 PM

I was going to pick up a set of chrome for mine as well. I have heard a lot of bad things about the "show" chrome. The shops around here have told me the rims tend to crack while riding. That is what the sell on ebay. That would be a great deal if they would hold up and are good quality. There is an old saying that we've all heard. "You get what you pay for!" I was gonna grab the ones on ebay myself, but probably just gonna go with some RC's.

jim schmidt · 04-21-2007, 08:06 PM

Chrome is a completely personal choice. Not for me, but it is neither inherently good or bad.

I once talked to a chromer who told me that the amount of chrome used on a car wheel adds under an ounce to its weight. Surprised me too.

dustin-954RR · 04-22-2007, 12:09 PM

thanks fellas, I think i might just set on the idea til winter comes around and then make a decision, probably gonna buy a steering damper instead.

automaticj5 · 04-22-2007, 02:43 PM

This is a complete opion based option -- if you like it you like it -- if not -- then thats that -- I personally love chrome rims -- ON THE RIGHT BIKE... I loved mine with black and contemplated switching to chrome -- I ended up doing it -- paid $750 for the exchange -- and do not regret it one bit... I think its the sexiest thing in the world and get more and more and more compliments everytime I am out... ill try to post a pic...