Spoke wheels vs cast aluminium?

[kennif]

Having clocked up 59,000kms on my 2010 R1200GS ESA I am looking for a new bike before beginning a marathon tour through the Americas starting in June 2012. A GSA is too tall for me so I am looking at a GS with spoke wheels - the spoke wheels option costs an extra $NZD740 (around $USD560). My question is - is it worth it? Does anyone have experience of the cast aluminium wheels failing? (Or the spoke wheels for that matter!)

Any advice or comment would be very welcome.

Regards,
Kennif

[marc]

What's wrong with your current bike? at 59,000 km it's still a baby. At 200,000 km you might think about something new. Unless this is just an excuse for a new bike. In that case ignore the above.

As to your question... I've not heard of issues with the cast wheels. They are easier to keep clean. As long as you are not doing gnarly single track they are strong enough. At least that has been my experience.

The spoke wheels look better (IMHO). They are reported to be stronger. If you are planning a lot of truly off road riding (not the dirt roads that some consider off road) I'd go with the spoke wheels. I have heard of some spoke wheel issues. Not a whole bunch, but still.

[kennif]

Originally Posted by marc

What's wrong with your current bike? at 59,000 km it's still a baby. At 200,000 km you might think about something new. Unless this is just an excuse for a new bike. In that case ignore the above.

Thanks Marc
That is certainly an option - 59,000km is a reasonable tally since March of last year but not huge and all quickly gained. I certainly could do the ride on the current GS - I think we are looking at something like 55,000kms so I think it would be fine. The spoke wheels might still be an option.

Perhaps a little bit of an excuse for a new bike. Why? Because I can I suppose.

Currently our plan is Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia. I anticipate there will be some gnarly roads in that, some of which we will choose to do and some of which we will have to do.

Regards,
Kennif

[papachiax6]

During my search for my GS I sat on both the GS and GSA. I have a 29" inseam and with the GS low seat on both bikes I sat exactly the same. On my tippie toes but i am used to that. If I had the choice (because I could) I think I would spring for the GSA if I was embarking on such a long ride. The extra fuel capability would certainly be a plus. Sounds like a great trip you have planned. As for the spoked wheels. I have them and have not had any issues. Kinda a pain to clean compared to my cast wheels that I had on the VStrom though.