Does anybody know how much the stock steel rim on a Prairie 650 weighs compared to aftermarket aluminum rims. I saw ITP rims that weigh around 8lbs. I was just wandering if there was big enough weight difference to make the switch. Thanks Dennisc

 

My '02 650 Prairie had .160 aluminum wheels, and they don't weigh much.

 

All of the cast aluminum stuff weighs more than rolled aluminum factory wheels. You notice it more with smaller (less powerful) enignes. The good news is that it lowers the center of gravity so it makes the machine less tippy. Cast wheels typically give the machine a wider track which greatly improves the appearance and also helps with stability as well.

 

I was mostly worried about the weight issue. I bought a set of 26" Bridgestone XXX Mud Hooks last year and boy did they slow me down. I was surprised at the difference they made. They are good in the mud but suck at high speed and ramping. There not ideal for the type of riding I do. I'm going to pick up a set of aluminum rims and maybe some ITP ATR Holeshots, or I might just pick up a set of factory oem take off tires on ebay. Thanks DennisC

 

I've got a set of ATR holeshot on ITP c series wheels. If you are worried about power the Holeshots are quite a bit heaver than stock tires and will slow you down. I put on my Holeshots for everything but drag racing because they are a much better tire than the stockers and they look better too. But when I go drag racing on hard pack dirt or sand I run the stock setup it's much lighter and that makes you a little quicker.

 

Did you notice much difference between the stock Dunlops and the Holeshots? I've heard nothing but negative against the stockers, but after running these heavy mudders I don't remember anything but good about the stock tires. I got about 1400 miles out of the stock tires and probably would have got more but I sliced a sidewall down at the Hafield McCoy riding area. Thanks DennisC

 

All kawi ATV rims are lightweight aluminum. They are painted so you may not know that. Keep your stock rims and tires if you want to keep unsprung weight low.

 

It all depends on how and where you ride. My dad has about 4500 miles on his suzuki eiger with the original tires still on it. Now granted he slow cruizes dirt roads and feilds all the time but for what he does the stock tires are great. Now on the other hand I have heard of people running trails fast in the mountains and basically shredding the stock tires and tacoing the stock wheels. It all depends on what you plan on doing with your bike.

 

Thanks for the info. I had no idea the stock rims we aluminum. I figured they were steel and I could save a few lbs. by going with aluminum rims. I never thought to check them......duh. I guess that settles the question for me, I'll just try to pick up a set of take off tires from a dealer. Thanks dennisc

 

yea, i put a magnet up to my brute rim, thought it felt magnetic and thought "good, steel. ought to be tough" a little while later i realized the magnet picked up the wire in the bead of the tire. then i felt kinda silly