Many motorcycle owners are considering upgrading their wheels to carbon fiber options. This modification doesn't come cheap, however. If you're considering upgrading to carbon fiber wheels from the original OEM wheels, you'll need to look at the pros and cons carefully.
One of the big questions that often comes up is whether carbon fiber wheels are safer than OEM wheels. The answer is yes–carbon fiber wheels come with potential safety benefits that original OEM wheels don't offer. That's why many motorcyclists consider the upgrade worth the extra cost.
If you're conflicted about whether you should upgrade your wheels, we'll dive deeper into the differences between carbon fiber wheels and OEM wheels. We'll go over why carbon fiber wheels offer more safety benefits than OEM wheels. We'll also go over why you may want to consider making this modification on your bike.
What Is the Difference Between Carbon Fiber Wheels and OEM Wheels?
OEM wheels are typically made out of low to mid-range aluminum. This type of material offers some benefits, as aluminum is a durable and strong material. However, if you opt for a lighter-weight material, like carbon fiber, you'll receive more performance and safety advantages. Unfortunately, most OEM wheels use the cheapest options available. If you want to upgrade to a better-quality material, you'll need to pay extra for this modification.
Why does carbon fiber offer more performance and safety advantages over OEM? Carbon fiber wheels are widely used as they are lighter, more aerodynamic, and stiffer. For these reasons, carbon fiber wheels perform faster, more efficiently, and more safely than OEM wheels.
Why Are Carbon Fiber Wheels Safer Than OEM Wheels?
For many motorcyclists, safety is an incredibly important factor when it comes to making decisions on bike modifications. There are a few different materials commonly available for motorcycle wheels, including aluminum and carbon fiber. Carbon fiber, though an expensive upgrade, offers more safety benefits than the kind of aluminum typically used in OEM wheels. Since it's a lightweight, yet strong material, carbon fiber wheels offer a lot of safety benefits to riders that help improve the riding experience in multiple ways.
More Lightweight
Carbon fiber wheels are much lighter than OEM wheels. With this advantage comes a lot of safety benefits, such as keeping the wheels firmly on the ground. How does weight play a role in keeping your motorcycle's wheels on the ground?
Unsprung weight (everything below the suspension) needs to be kept at a low weight. If your bike has a lower unsprung weight, it will reduce inertia and make riding easier by keeping the wheels on the ground. You'll be able to have more control over your wheels while riding over rough surfaces. So, when you come up to a pothole in the road, your wheel won't go flying into the air. You'll be able to steer, brake, and get a better grip in tough conditions.
Increased Strength and Durability
Though carbon fiber is a lightweight and sleek material, it's also strong and durable. Since motorcycle wheels will need to be able to handle tough road conditions, having a strong wheel is important for safety reasons. If a wheel becomes damaged while out riding, it can create potentially dangerous situations. That's why motorcyclists should opt for high-quality materials from reliable brands. BST carbon fiber wheels offer motorcycle owners top-of-the-line materials that have gone through a rigorous manufacturing process, ensuring the utmost strength, safety, and durability.
Improved Handling
Additionally, carbon fiber wheels have a lighter rotating mass, which makes handling much easier than with OEM wheels. Riders will be able to steer more easily with this type of wheel. Turning sharp corners will also be easier with improved handling. These performance enhancements not only make riding easier but also make it safer too.
Enhanced Comfort
Overall, carbon fiber wheels are more comfortable for riders than OEM wheels. Though this may not seem like a safety advantage, it actually helps improve safety significantly. Over time, riders may become desensitized to the vibrations and shocks that are common in OEM wheels. Dulled senses pose a serious safety risk to motorcyclists, as they need to keep alert and ready at all times. When a motorcyclist feels comfortable, they will be able to perform better and more safely for long periods of time.
Why Should You Consider Upgrading Your OEM Wheels to Carbon Fiber Wheels?
There are many reasons why you should consider upgrading your OEM wheels to carbon fiber wheels. If you're a serious rider, you'll want to have the performance gains that come with this modification. For other riders, having many safety benefits over the stock option may be the reason you need to spring for an upgrade.
From its weight benefits to improved comfort levels, riders who have carbon fiber wheels can expect a better experience overall compared to motorcyclists who stick with the OEM wheels. If you want a better riding experience, you'll need to upgrade your bike's wheels.
Overall, carbon fiber wheels are a great choice for those who value safety, performance, and efficiency. However, you'll need to understand that purchasing these upgraded wheels is an investment. The OEM wheels typically use the most cost-efficient option available, so you'll be upgrading to a material of a notably higher quality.
If you're looking to replace your OEM wheels, you'll want to consider carbon fiber wheels. They offer many safety advantages due to their lightweight, strength, and comfort. Motorcycle owners who upgrade to this type of wheel will enjoy improved handling and overall easier riding experience. For riders who are ready to upgrade their wheels, we have a selection of carbon fiber wheels available.