18” road wheels on an enduro?

[gareth h]

Is this a really silly idea, I’ve got a 250 excf, and am moving to an area with little in the way of green lanes, but lots of nadgery B or C roads, can’t bring myself to sell the ktm, and started to think about a set of 17” rims, but they’re expensive, however I’ve got a spare set of off road 18/21 rims, so could get an 18” rim fitted to the front hub and some road tyres.
What do you think?

[xstian]

I don't think your bike would go round corners very well if the front and rear tyre are the same width.

[smifffymoto]

Buy trail tyres instead of knobbly enduro tyres.

[gareth h]

xstian said:

I don't think your bike would go round corners very well if the front and rear tyre are the same width.

Not sure it would if they were 18” wide but I’m talking about diameter

[xstian]

gareth h said:

xstian said:

I don't think your bike would go round corners very well if the front and rear tyre are the same width.

Not sure it would if they were 18” wide but I’m talking about diameter

I thought you meant you had a spare set of rims and wanted to use the spare rear 18" on the front.

Tyre choice would probably be lower running 18" rather than 17". 21" front with road tyres is an option and probably better tyre choice, but I find the front gets a little wofty over 80mph.

Personally, if it was me the 17" are easy to buy 2nd hand and easy to sell when you get bored and fancy a change.

[ssray]

I had years ago a xt600, I used it on the road and occasionally Mallory park, I went 18front and a wider 17 rear
I used a Avon am 22)23 combo as the rear was cbr600 size and I used ex race tyres
I really liked it,

[klootzak]

Back in the late 90s I ran a KDX250 with a 16" front wheel that had come from something like a ZZR250. Looked ridiculous but actually handled okay on road rubber.

k

[graham22]

I used to run 18" wheels on different MX/Enduro bikes for Hill Climb- IT250, KX250 and CR500.

Back then, 18" competition tyres were still fairly readily available as they were used on LCs/YPVS, but with Supermoto getting going, better choice of 17" tyres became available.

The standard rear rim will be too narrow for a decent rear tyre, yes makes sense to use the rear in the front and get a wider rim for the rear, however the chain run will limit width, plus you'll probably need to get new spokes due to had sizes and spoke angles etc. Classic bike racing would be a good source for sticky tyres I guess. Also look at uprating the disc as the standard small, thin mx disc will warp.

It'll probably be easier (and cheaper) to pick up a pair of Supermoto wheels, tyres and discs.

Or pick up a GS500 as it'll be better and more fun on the road in the long run, believe me, the novelty of a 2 stroke enduro on the road will soon run out or result in a ban!!

[smifffymoto]

Don’t forget enduro suspension is also st for spirited road riding.

[gareth h]

smifffymoto said:

Don’t forget enduro suspension is also st for spirited road riding.

You should see the roads

[Northernboy]

I’m trying to go the other way; I’ve a 701 Supermoto and want to stick enduro wheels but can’t find out if the 701 Enduro wheels are a straight swap.

I may just give up and get a second set of road wheels with the most “off road” tyres available on then.

[gareth h]

Northernboy said:

I’m trying to go the other way; I’ve a 701 Supermoto and want to stick enduro wheels but can’t find out if the 701 Enduro wheels are a straight swap.

I may just give up and get a second set of road wheels with the most “off road” tyres available on then.

I’ve got a set of enduro wheels for KTM 250 EXCF if they are compatible

[Northernboy]

gareth h said:

I’ve got a set of enduro wheels for KTM 250 EXCF if they are compatible

That’s the question, though, what’s compatible. Husqvarna themselves refused to tell me whether their own wheels would fit on the “sister” model.

I’m likely only going to be using it for gravel trails, in decent weather, so may get away with knobby tyres in road sizes.

[gareth h]

Northernboy said:

gareth h said:

I’ve got a set of enduro wheels for KTM 250 EXCF if they are compatible

That’s the question, though, what’s compatible. Husqvarna themselves refused to tell me whether their own wheels would fit on the “sister” model.

I’m likely only going to be using it for gravel trails, in decent weather, so may get away with knobby tyres in road sizes.

Have you tried asking here?
https://www.ktmforum.co.uk/forums/off-road-enduro....

[smifffymoto]

Northernboy said:

I’m trying to go the other way; I’ve a 701 Supermoto and want to stick enduro wheels but can’t find out if the 701 Enduro wheels are a straight swap.

I may just give up and get a second set of road wheels with the most “off road” tyres available on then.

The 701 has radial brakes so the mounts are different.

[Northernboy]

smifffymoto said:

The 701 has radial brakes so the mounts are different.

Yes, I assume I’ll need to have a bracket fabricated to have the caliper in the right place.

[Ilikemotorbikes]

For a KTM I'm sure Aprilia RS125 wheels fit and is a fairly popular mod.

Keep an eye out for them to give you a 17" wheel choice that's typically cheaper than proper supermoto 17" wheels

[gareth_r]

Northernboy said:

I’m trying to go the other way; I’ve a 701 Supermoto and want to stick enduro wheels but can’t find out if the 701 Enduro wheels are a straight swap.

I may just give up and get a second set of road wheels with the most “off road” tyres available on then.

You could start by finding an online parts catalogue and comparing the part numbers (and dimensions, if you're lucky) of the spindle, spacers, bearings, and bearing spacer for the Supermoto with those for the Enduro.

Another option is to have a pair of Supermoto wheels rebuilt with 21/18 rims.