YamaZong XT200GY-2 Front Wheel Poll

[SpudRider]

I am just about done modifying my 2006 Zongshen Sierra 200GY-2 motorcycle. After riding 500 miles with my Yamaha XT225 swingarm conversion, I could not be happier with the results. Now I have two projects left. I am going to switch to a lighter, FMF Turbine Core 2 silencer, and I am going to get an alloy rim for the front wheel. Therefore, I would like to solicit the opinions of the members of this forum. What size alloy rim should I put on my YamaZong XT200GY-2 motorcycle?



My first option is a 2.15-18 alloy rim. This rim would fit perfectly with the Zong’s current front hub and spokes. If I lace the rim myself, the cost would be approximately $100. I could then continue to use 100mm, or 4.10-18 size tires on the YamaZong’s front wheel, with 120mm, or 4.60-18 size tires in the rear.



I have over 11,000 miles of experience riding with this size tire in the front. This combination works great on the street, and it also works well on loose gravel. I also think this combination renders a nice supermoto look. Although it is the least expensive option, this option would also lose the least amount of weight.

My next option is a conventional, 1.60-21 alloy rim. This rim would probably require custom spokes and lacing from a quality shop, such as Buchanan’s Spoke and Rim, in California.

http://www.buchananspokes.net/

This option would probably make the Zong more trail-worthy, and it would also lose the greatest amount of weight. Also, I would have the largest selection for front tires. However, this conversion would probably cost about $250 (ouch!). Also, this option would eliminate the bike’s supermoto look.

Finally, I could purchase a 1.85-18 alloy rim. This rim would also fit perfectly with the Zong’s current front hub and spokes. This option would lose a little more weight than the 2.15-18 inch rim, but it would also reduce my choices for front tires. Once again, I could lace the wheel myself, and the cost would be about $100.

I am strongly inclined to go with the 2.15-18 rim. However, I would appreciate your input. Please cast your vote, and help me decide.



Spud

[katoranger]

Are the zong's forks long enough for the 21" wheel? This may make that option not work.

ALlen

[Cal25]

A larger wheel, especially since the rear has already been enlarged, Would possibly render the side stand useless. it could be easily modded as well though.

Part of the attractiveness of the China bike is the low cost. I am not sure of spending really large sums of money on mine. Then again, thats the other part of the atraction, these things are fun to mod/personalize.

I vote for "D"

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by katoranger

Are the zong's forks long enough for the 21" wheel? This may make that option not work.

ALlen

I would be adding 1.5 inches to the radius of the front wheel. The way I ride, I don't think it would be too much of an issue. I have never come close to bottoming out the front forks on my Zong. However, you make a very good point, Allen. As always, thank you for your gracious input.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Cal25

A larger wheel, especially since the rear has already been enlarged, Would possibly render the side stand useless. it could be easily modded as well though.

Part of the attractiveness of the China bike is the low cost. I am not sure of spending really large sums of money on mine. Then again, thats the other part of the atraction, these things are fun to mod/personalize.

I vote for "D"

I agree with you regarding the cost. As a typical China Rider, I am frugal (cheap). Therefore, I am inclined to keep the 18-inch rim in the front. However, I have a choice of 1.85 or 2.15 inches for the width of the front rim. :?:

You also make a very good point regarding the kickstand. Of course, I could probably get a Yamaha XT225 kickstand for a very reasonable price on eBay.

Spud

[driller]

I have over 25 years enduro and dual sport experience and I would vote for the 21 inch for it's riding characteristics, however the cost issue is a valid point. If you don't go with the 21 I would use the narrow front tire for the ease of steering and lighter rolling weight on a non-driving wheel.

[phil]

if you have to change, and i guess you do i would go with the 21 for a few reasons, you would go back closer to the same geometry that it was designed for, some engineer who is smarter than us figured out what size wheel.rake and all that. he may not have been chinese and maybe not much was lost in measuring a picture 8O also you would have a lot of choices in tires and i bet something cheap off another china bike will work i check the axle size tommorrow i have a 21 apollo

[TheRealWorld]

I don't have an opinion on the wheel, but I just want you to know that I have more enduro experience than driller. I got my first Yamaha 80 in 1968, when my cousin got drafted. My second in 1972 when I bought one from a guy that I was in the Navy with. It was a 125 Yamaha enduro. I even had one during the civil war! That is not true, I made that up.

I just wanted to show driller that he is not the only old timer contributing.

[katoranger]

You guys are making me feel like a youngster.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by phil

if you have to change, and i guess you do i would go with the 21 for a few reasons, you would go back closer to the same geometry that it was designed for, some engineer who is smarter than us figured out what size wheel.rake and all that. he may not have been chinese and maybe not much was lost in measuring a picture 8O also you would have a lot of choices in tires and i bet something cheap off another china bike will work i check the axle size tommorrow i have a 21 apollo

Thank you, Phil! Since the Zong uses the same front brake caliper as many of the other Chinabikes, I would not be surprised if a front wheel from another Chinese motorcycle might fit! Please do compare the Zong's front wheel to the Apollo.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by katoranger

You guys are making me feel like a youngster.

I started riding in 1979, but not on a dual sport motorcycle. The Zong is my first dual sport bike.

Originally Posted by driller

I have over 25 years enduro and dual sport experience and I would vote for the 21 inch for it's riding characteristics, however the cost issue is a valid point. If you don't go with the 21 I would use the narrow front tire for the ease of steering and lighter rolling weight on a non-driving wheel.

This is exactly why I wish to put an alloy rim on the front wheel. Originally, the Zong had steel rims on both wheels. After my Yamaha XT225 swingarm conversion, my Zong now has an alloy rim on the back wheel.

I wish to lighten the front wheel, also. I have been checking the tire manufacturer fitment guides, and I could put an IRC GP-1 3.50-18 tire on a 2.15-18 front rim. If I go with the 1.85-18 front rim, I could fit an IRC GP-1 3.00-18 tire.

http://www.irc-tire.com/mce/

I could probably also fit a Shinko 244 3.00-18 tire to the 1.85-18 front rim.

http://www.shinkotireusa.com/product/product.php?id=24

The current steering geometry is great! The bike handles much better, now that I have switched to the 18-inch rear wheel. However, if I could fit a 21-inch Chinabike wheel to the front forks, I would certainly be interested in that option.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by TheRealWorld

I don't have an opinion on the wheel, but I just want you to know that I have more enduro experience than driller. I got my first Yamaha 80 in 1968, when my cousin got drafted. My second in 1972 when I bought one from a guy that I was in the Navy with. It was a 125 Yamaha enduro. I even had one during the civil war! That is not true, I made that up.

I just wanted to show driller that he is not the only old timer contributing.

Thank you, TRW. I am a Civil War veteran; you were probably still in short pants at that time. Nevertheless, please feel free to offer an opinion regarding my selection of a new front rim for my YamaZong XT200GY-2 motorcycle.

Spud

[TheRealWorld]

All I can say is when the cops are trying to catch me, I find that the big 21 inch tire climbs those curbs and logs much better than a smaller wheel.

If you go with the big one, try to get a new speedometer sender also.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by TheRealWorld

All I can say is when the cops are trying to catch me, I find that the big 21 inch tire climbs those curbs and logs much better than a smaller wheel.

If you go with the big one, try to get a new speedometer sender also.

I never have the need, nor the desire, to evade the police, TRW. Nevertheless, I will keep your advice in mind, should the need arise.

My speedometer currently reports speeds which are 10% higher than the actual speed traveled. Therefore, moving up to a larger wheel will probably make my speedometer more accurate.

Spud

[SpudRider]

I see that the Qlink/Qingqi XF200 motorcycle employs a 110/70-17 front tire, and a 130/70-17 rear tire.

http://www.qlinkmotor.com/products/s...ons.php?pid=74

Isn’t the Qlink XF200 supermoto basically the same motorcycle as the Qlink XP200 dual sport bike, except for the wheel size?

Also, a rider over on the Yamaha XT225 forum did a supermoto conversion on his bike, and he employed 2.15-18 rims on both wheels.

http://www.xt225.com/forums/ubbthrea...r=48386&page=1

The Zongshen Sierra 200GY-2 basically employs a Yamaha XT225/TW200 frame, and my YamaZong XT200GY-2 now has a Yamaha XT225 swingarm. Therefore, I should get results similar to the rider above, if I retain the 2.15-18 rim size when I switch from steel to alloy. Indeed, my bike handles superbly, much better than before, now that I have 18-inch wheels on both front and rear.

Can anyone offer more insight regarding the handling features of supermoto bikes versus traditional dual sport motorcycles? I ride most of my miles on the street. I mostly ride logging roads and dual-track when I am trail riding. As it currently is, my Zong is far more trail-worthy than it was before I did my Yamaha XT225 swingarm conversion.

Spud