Jason wrote:someone needs to explain to the chopper/harley crowd that lighter wheels = better handling bike
It probably would not do any good. When you're starting out with a bike that already weighs 600+ pounds (some of them 800+), and you only ride in a straight line, the heavy wheels improve the gyroscopic stability of the bike. Something the chopper/harley riders actually want and need.
They always go slow through the turns anyway since they don't have any ground clearance when leaned over.
The only Harleys I've seen turn fast (ok ... fast for a Harley) are the police motorcycles (and I've never seen a chopper do it). Even the police Harleys are slow to turn compared to the other police motorcycles (Honda, Kawasaki, BMW). The Harleys are typically used for escort duty (again straight line) and the others are typically used as interceptors.
The lighter unsprung weight is for sportbikes. Two different worlds.
They spend money on adding weight (chrome and accessories) and we spend money on reducing weight (performance and exotic materials).
When was the last time you saw a Harley or chopper with carbon fiber bits on it?
Don
