I started another thread about my PIEGA OZ RIMS I got from Motowheels-Motorcycle Performance Products for Ducati, MV Agusta, Aprilia, KTM - Rancho Cordova - Sacramento (Nick Kister is who I dealt with, thanks to BigE!) This was my second attempt at getting a set of rims for the busa. My goal was, I wanted something lighter then stock, something nice looking, and something different from stock. The installation of the rims was pretty straight forward, with the exception of no instructions, no torque spec's, nada! I emailed Nick, and he emailed back. I was instructed to use all the factory torque specs, except for the rear sprocket nuts, which are 50 newton meters. (I torqued them to 40 ftlbs.) (stock was 43.5ftlbs)
I only got a few short rides in after the install of the rims (5 miles). I could tell something was different but really didnt get the full on experience of the swap from stock to the OZ's. I did about 60 miles round trip to and from work with a little back road riding, so I had a good feel to what my daily ride on the busa usually feels like before the swap. What I noticed at first is that neighborhood cruising (25-30mph), the busa is a bit more nimble. Then as the cruising speeds increased and a few more lane changes (35-45 mph), I noticed the busa didnt feel as weighted in the bars as with the stock rims. Easier to push and pull the bars to maneuver the busa from side to side. Then as I got on to the highway on ramp (55mph+), I started my assault on the few corners that I love to maneuver through. After making the slow right, to the quick left to the quick right to merge left onto the highway, it left me thinking that was easier then I remember. Gave me that GSXR 1000 feeling! The other thing that caught me was how much speed it seems to pick up. It accelerates easier with less throttle. I had to be careful, I normally run 65-70mph with traffic, and was running 75mph-80mph. The busa seems to rev a bit quicker too when getting on it. Like I added another tooth to the rear sprocket.(currently +3 on the rear like I was with the stock rims.) The front wheel lifts easier then I remember in first, and second it now tries to climb more at the top of the rev's. I was glad to get to work safely and on time with no driving awards.
My trip home is by highway and is usually worse on the way home, especially merging with traffic. I had to aggressively merge into traffic as nobody was cutting anybody any slack. It took less effort to get into the lanes that were open, and for me to safely get away from everyone. I had to make a detour to the folks home to drop off a part. When I left, I hit the back roads to get away from the crazy traffic. It gave me time to realize that the busa felt firmer in the suspension. (Like I clicked up both rebound and compression 1 click tighter.) With the stock rims it was slightly softer with the same setting I am running. I also noticed that the drive line is a bit more abrupt over stock. The cush drive on the OZ's are polyurethane, so less drive line dampening then the stock rubber cush drive. That also means more direct power to the rear tire. Not to worries there, it just means I need to be smoother when shifting gears. While almost home I had a pretty smooth road and little traffic, again more time to FEEL what the busa is doing. I noticed more feed back in the bars, bumps, dips, etc. Again more like my GXSR1000! The best I can describe this upgrade, is it dynamic!
I arrive home and notice some chain lube and some dirt on the OZ Piega rims. A simple spray and wipe on the rim and 5 spokes with "PLEGDE"......."AND CLEAN"! If I had the CZ's or Marchesini's I would be there still! I was asked to take some more pictures of the Busa with its new Italian slippers in some sunlight. So here you go!
I only got a few short rides in after the install of the rims (5 miles). I could tell something was different but really didnt get the full on experience of the swap from stock to the OZ's. I did about 60 miles round trip to and from work with a little back road riding, so I had a good feel to what my daily ride on the busa usually feels like before the swap. What I noticed at first is that neighborhood cruising (25-30mph), the busa is a bit more nimble. Then as the cruising speeds increased and a few more lane changes (35-45 mph), I noticed the busa didnt feel as weighted in the bars as with the stock rims. Easier to push and pull the bars to maneuver the busa from side to side. Then as I got on to the highway on ramp (55mph+), I started my assault on the few corners that I love to maneuver through. After making the slow right, to the quick left to the quick right to merge left onto the highway, it left me thinking that was easier then I remember. Gave me that GSXR 1000 feeling! The other thing that caught me was how much speed it seems to pick up. It accelerates easier with less throttle. I had to be careful, I normally run 65-70mph with traffic, and was running 75mph-80mph. The busa seems to rev a bit quicker too when getting on it. Like I added another tooth to the rear sprocket.(currently +3 on the rear like I was with the stock rims.) The front wheel lifts easier then I remember in first, and second it now tries to climb more at the top of the rev's. I was glad to get to work safely and on time with no driving awards.
My trip home is by highway and is usually worse on the way home, especially merging with traffic. I had to aggressively merge into traffic as nobody was cutting anybody any slack. It took less effort to get into the lanes that were open, and for me to safely get away from everyone. I had to make a detour to the folks home to drop off a part. When I left, I hit the back roads to get away from the crazy traffic. It gave me time to realize that the busa felt firmer in the suspension. (Like I clicked up both rebound and compression 1 click tighter.) With the stock rims it was slightly softer with the same setting I am running. I also noticed that the drive line is a bit more abrupt over stock. The cush drive on the OZ's are polyurethane, so less drive line dampening then the stock rubber cush drive. That also means more direct power to the rear tire. Not to worries there, it just means I need to be smoother when shifting gears. While almost home I had a pretty smooth road and little traffic, again more time to FEEL what the busa is doing. I noticed more feed back in the bars, bumps, dips, etc. Again more like my GXSR1000! The best I can describe this upgrade, is it dynamic!
I arrive home and notice some chain lube and some dirt on the OZ Piega rims. A simple spray and wipe on the rim and 5 spokes with "PLEGDE"......."AND CLEAN"! If I had the CZ's or Marchesini's I would be there still! I was asked to take some more pictures of the Busa with its new Italian slippers in some sunlight. So here you go!