Bolt on 17in wheel conversion

[ferraiolo1]

Since my FTR isn’t my main bike anymore. I wanted to experiment with it.

I have ordered 2023 oem ftr sport wheels, the red is a shade or two brighter than the old RR red. But I think it will be fine. in 23 they switched back to a abs tone ring like the 2019 bikes. Whereas the 2022 17in wheels used a tone bearing and you were unable to bolt the 2019 tone ring to the wheel without a machine shop working the wheel.

The wheels come assembled with bearings, seals, and valve stems. You will need to swap your rotors, bolts, and tone ring over. Or buy new.

For the front I went with a stock size 17in tire. But for the rear I went with a 190/55/17. stock for 2023 is 180/55/17. What the 190/55 will do on a 5.5in wheel, it will be pinched slightly giving me a similar height to the 160/60/18 tire I currently have. And for the front I will slide the forks down a bit. Tires I bought are Bridgestone RS11s. I usually go with S22s on my fun bikes. But I figured I would give these a try.

Hopefully this will result in no ride height change.

 

[edgelett]

you already have the ohlins on your ftr don't you? so your suspension is shorter than a stock 2019?

 

[ferraiolo1]

By less than .25in

 

[ferraiolo1]

Mounted

 

[edgelett]

By less than .25in

ah nice.

 

[ferraiolo1]

Flawless victory. Editing the video now.

 

[edgelett]

Flawless victory.

 

[ferraiolo1]

All the info you could need

 

[EagleEye78]

I like this

 

[ferraiolo1]

Thick

 

[Max Kool]

The devil made me do it.

I moved the fork legs down as much as possible to make sure I lose as little bike height as possible. With the 17" front wheel instead of the stock 19" I lost less than half an inch height. I am still using the front fender lowering brackets, but now with a 17" fender.

How does it ride? First of all (and I can't explain why) the front lost the little harshness it used to have. Other than that, it runs perfectly fine. Tip-in is a little quicker, but not by much. It just feels totally natural. No errors, no traction control complaining. I havent checked the speedo error but I trust @ferraiolo1's measurements (6-7% off). I still need to take her in the canyons, but I trust it's going to be fun.

Oh, weight savings:
The wheel I took off measured 30.4lbs with a half worn CRA3
The new wheel weighed 28.8lbs with a new CRA4 and fresh rotors. ymmv, I am using titanium hardware.

 

[edgelett]

I'm really keen to see what you think after a ride on the fun roads.
interesting about the harshness in the suspension being less - it's one thing I still struggle with a little.
and the front guard doesn't look too bad like that either.

Dammit i'll be broke next year lmao

 

[Max Kool]

you need a seasonal tax refund?

 

[edgelett]

you need a seasonal tax refund?

lol sadly this year's tax refund is going on our holiday.
I'll just have to start saving again

 

[Breto]

lol sadly this year's tax refund is going on our holiday.
I'll just have to start saving again

Don’t be sad Tash. A good holiday is a memory maker. The bike will be there when you get back 👍😎

 

[Max Kool]

“yes dad.”

 

[Breto]

“yes dad.”

Don’t dad me boy I’m ya father…🤣🤣🤣 (as quoted from a legendary Australian comedy show Kingswood country)