D.I.D. has finally released the spoke wheels that they showed as a sample in 2022! At this year's Osaka Motorcycle Show they displayed a spoke wheel version of the Z650RS with these new wheels. Could we say that it is now a true RS?
Customize from stock cast to spoke specs!
D.I.D. (Daido Kogyo) is known as a top manufacturer of chains, but they also supply various bike parts, such as handlebars and wheels, to vehicle manufacturers. Taking full advantage of their technological knowhow, they have been working on a new spoke wheel, which has finally been released after more than a year of development. The same construction as the cross-spoke wheel used on Honda's Africa Twin makes it completely tubeless. The rims are the same size as the stock Z650RS, so there are no restrictions on tire choices. The hubs are machined aluminum exclusively for the Z650RS.
Spoked wheels generally weigh more than cast wheels, but these wheels weigh in at only 300 grams more. According to the riders who tested them, the difference in weight was not noticeable, and the spoke wheels were superior for strong engine braking and gap convergence. Perhaps the biggest advantage of these wheels is that they offer a retro look without sacrificing performance. The stock cast wheels of the Z650RS were designed to get close to the look of spokes, so these wheels actually complete that ultimate goal.
Starting with these Z650RS wheels, D.I.D. is also considering creating a Z900RS version, which we are also looking forward to.
■SPOKE WHEELS Type C [D.I.D] Here is the Z650RS with the Classic Tubeless wheel kit equipped. The wheels are 159,500 JPY for the front, 192,500 JPY for the rear, and were released this July.
■The latest tubeless rim design is used. The coloring is gold, the same color as stock.
■The hubs are manufactured from machined aluminum. The spokes are made of rust-resistant stainless steel, and the heavy nipples are centered to minimize their effect on handling.
■ZEPHYR 750RS (1996) [KAWASAKI] In the Zephyr era, RS meant spoke wheel specs. The aim was for a more retro looking chassis in the Z1 style, but the wheels were for tube tires.
■750RS (1973) [KAWASAKI] The official name of the Z2 is the 750RS, and this is the style that other RS models aim for. You could say that the new D.I.D. spoke wheels have finally achieved this true RS style.
SPOKE WHEELS Type C Product Overview
Z650RS Front: Size 17 x 350 / Price 159,500 JPY Z650RS Rear: Size 17 x 450 / Price 192,500 JPY On sale from July 2023
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