Excel Rims... Feels like butter??

TeamPropainTurbo38t 4/23/2013 4:47pm
4/23/2013 4:47pm
I bent the stock Excels on my 09 RMZ pretty good front and rear. Just from landing hard. Not hitting rocks or anything. I'd like to add that it was from hitting good sized dirt jumps and ramps and that loaded I way about 220. BUT.....I also had RG3 FMX suspension that did not bottom and the rims still bent. I also had A60 excels on my cr250 fmx bike and the wheel actually cracked. It appeared to crack near or at the weld. It didn't have any dents in it or taco spots. A long time ago a buddy just broke an excel on an 86 kx125 in 3 places but that could have been from improper maintenance. Mine however are always torqgued and check regularly. Personally I found the stock early 2000s Honda wheels to be the strongest I have used. Great customer service by Excel .....just stating my experience...Dave
stackman17
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stackman17 4/23/2013 4:47pm
4/23/2013 4:47pm
Ok, with a name like Farrah, how many of you googled her for a pic? I did.
RKExcel
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RKExcel 4/23/2013 4:49pm
4/23/2013 4:49pm
It happens more often than you think and not just in our industry. Think about your vehicle. Are the Bridgestone or Firestone or whatever brand tires that come on your brand new SUV the best quality? Probably not. They're probably a middle grade tire designed to be cost effective for the OE. OE's are trying to keep costs down but still provide a quality product. It's the same with motorcycle OE's.

Cheers

Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc
seth505
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seth505 4/23/2013 4:56pm
4/23/2013 4:56pm
ford832 wrote:
Kudo's to Farrah for coming on here with all the info and even replying to op so quickly in the first place. That said,I have to...
Kudo's to Farrah for coming on here with all the info and even replying to op so quickly in the first place.
That said,I have to admit I'm more than a little surprised that OE rims marked "Excel" aren't up to the quality of a regular Excel rim,as dak446 said.Any of mine marked as such was somewhat of a selling feature due to the perceived quality of the part.
I wasn't aware substandard parts commonly were allowed to use the name/logo of high end parts.Maybe I'm just too naive.Sad
Excel came out with a lower price point rim, nakano or something like that. The OE in question dont say takasago or A60 from what I've seen.

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CrashMaster
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CrashMaster 4/23/2013 4:58pm
4/23/2013 4:58pm
So does this mean the Renthal bars that come stock on the bikes are sub-par versions compared to the Renthals you can buy online or at a shop bike shop?
ford832
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ford832 4/23/2013 5:14pm
4/23/2013 5:14pm Edited Date/Time 4/23/2013 6:10pm
My old KTM said Takasago Excel on it,it was an 02 SX.I'm not sure now if that means anything or not.Maybe those years were before the lower quality stuff on OE-or maybe not.I don't know.
I guess the big thing to me is that it appears this isn't common knowledge,I know I'd never heard of it before.
It's one thing if it's a well known fact,when it's not,it does seem a little bit shady.
I couldn't remember about the YZ but they're Takasago's also-and the logo is red.Not that it matters,they've done well with no issues so I certainly can't complain.
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Myke 4/23/2013 6:29pm
4/23/2013 6:29pm
ford832 wrote:
My old KTM said Takasago Excel on it,it was an 02 SX.I'm not sure now if that means anything or not.Maybe those years were before the...
My old KTM said Takasago Excel on it,it was an 02 SX.I'm not sure now if that means anything or not.Maybe those years were before the lower quality stuff on OE-or maybe not.I don't know.
I guess the big thing to me is that it appears this isn't common knowledge,I know I'd never heard of it before.
It's one thing if it's a well known fact,when it's not,it does seem a little bit shady.
I couldn't remember about the YZ but they're Takasago's also-and the logo is red.Not that it matters,they've done well with no issues so I certainly can't complain.
It's pretty well known knowledge with racers.

Also it's not like they are putting a part number on them that matches the the non OE rim. It just there logo stating that they manufactured them with no reference to the other rims that they offer.
Myke
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Myke 4/23/2013 6:30pm
4/23/2013 6:30pm
CrashMaster wrote:
So does this mean the Renthal bars that come stock on the bikes are sub-par versions compared to the Renthals you can buy online or at...
So does this mean the Renthal bars that come stock on the bikes are sub-par versions compared to the Renthals you can buy online or at a shop bike shop?
What is par? I think stock bars are par and people change them out to above par bars.

Guess you would need to check the part numbers.
ford832
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ford832 4/23/2013 6:40pm
4/23/2013 6:40pm Edited Date/Time 4/23/2013 6:58pm
Maybe so Myke,I've never raced pro so I don't get info from those circles.Just surprising to me,that's all.
Most assume that when something is presented it a certain way-it is-not that insiders know you need to ck part #'s to determine if you have the good or the not so good version of an identical appearing and labelled product.Buyer beware I guess.
RKExcel
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RKExcel 4/23/2013 7:44pm
4/23/2013 7:44pm Edited Date/Time 4/23/2013 7:46pm
It's not that the OE rims are poor quality or even sub-par. OE's build bikes to suit the average rider. Does a brand new bike come race ready for a racer? Not usually. Some OE parts are swapped out for more professional grade equipment. Excel OE grade rims and Excel's Notako Rims are suitable for most riders who are not racing.

Excel would never produce a poor quality rim and the OE's would never accept it as part of OE equipment.

As far as Renthal, I honestly don't know for sure.

Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc.
Cole_Ughetti 4/23/2013 8:23pm
4/23/2013 8:23pm
have A60s on my 450. supposed to be strongest wheels on market. i keep up on spokes religiously and have a flat spot in the rear, and the front is trash
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T-Fish 4/23/2013 8:39pm
4/23/2013 8:39pm
Farrah,

First, thanks for coming on here and answering all of our questions. I've learned quite a bit, just in this thread. Second, what thoughts do you have on powder coating Excel rims (and spokes)? Not that it matters, but my bikes are '09 and '10 KTM.

Out of curiosity, is there a difference in actual quality of the OEM rims that are put on bikes? Example: Are the ones put on a Yamaha stronger than those put on a Suzuki, KTM, or any others?

Thanks!
ford832
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ford832 4/24/2013 3:09am
4/24/2013 3:09am Edited Date/Time 4/24/2013 3:12am
RKExcel wrote:
It's not that the OE rims are poor quality or even sub-par. OE's build bikes to suit the average rider. Does a brand new bike come...
It's not that the OE rims are poor quality or even sub-par. OE's build bikes to suit the average rider. Does a brand new bike come race ready for a racer? Not usually. Some OE parts are swapped out for more professional grade equipment. Excel OE grade rims and Excel's Notako Rims are suitable for most riders who are not racing.

Excel would never produce a poor quality rim and the OE's would never accept it as part of OE equipment.

As far as Renthal, I honestly don't know for sure.

Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc.
Thanks Farrah,I understand that it makes perfect sense.My issue was with the perception of what you were getting v. what you actually were.Despite what pro racers and mechanics know,it seems nobody else did as nobody went out of their way to make that fact known over the years.I'll certainly look at "factory aftermarket " parts with a more skeptical eye from here on out.If I owned a newer KTM,I might be concerned about VForce "seconds" sucking into my engine. Wink Thanks for all your info.Smile
RKExcel
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RKExcel 4/24/2013 8:37am
4/24/2013 8:37am
T-Fish wrote:
Farrah, First, thanks for coming on here and answering all of our questions. I've learned quite a bit, just in this thread. Second, what thoughts do...
Farrah,

First, thanks for coming on here and answering all of our questions. I've learned quite a bit, just in this thread. Second, what thoughts do you have on powder coating Excel rims (and spokes)? Not that it matters, but my bikes are '09 and '10 KTM.

Out of curiosity, is there a difference in actual quality of the OEM rims that are put on bikes? Example: Are the ones put on a Yamaha stronger than those put on a Suzuki, KTM, or any others?

Thanks!
For the average rider powder coating will not affect the performance of the rim. However because powder coating does involve a heat source it does minutely alter the molecular structure of the rim material. It sometimes can result in the rim aging faster but again, for the most part powder coating rims or spokes isn't going to affect the rim/spoke performance.

In most cases Excel headquarters does not inform us which OEs are using which rim. This is because Excel usually does not know which models the rims will be going on. The OEs submit drawings to Excel and DID and Excel and DID build the rims to suit the OE's needs. Once the OEs receive the rims, they install them on the bike models that they choose. I don't think I can answer your second question because unfortunately the rim model used for each OE is not universal. Yamaha for example may use both DID and Excel on different models. And the grade of material they choose can also change from model to model. So I cannot say that Suzuki OE rims are stronger than Yamaha and such because they utilize more than one vendor to supply their rims.

Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America.
mototrader
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mototrader 4/24/2013 9:06am
4/24/2013 9:06am
Is there an excel rim that will work with stock spokes that will be strong enough for a averagely fast intermediate racer?

The stock rims on my CR250 were true'd and at the end of this season they were out of wack. Im not even that fast..nor am I big. maybe 170 in gear
RKExcel
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RKExcel 4/24/2013 9:38am
4/24/2013 9:38am
mototrader wrote:
Is there an excel rim that will work with stock spokes that will be strong enough for a averagely fast intermediate racer? The stock rims on...
Is there an excel rim that will work with stock spokes that will be strong enough for a averagely fast intermediate racer?

The stock rims on my CR250 were true'd and at the end of this season they were out of wack. Im not even that fast..nor am I big. maybe 170 in gear
I would need to know the year of the CR250 to look up the information for you.

But I must say that most of our Honda aftermarket Excel rims require the use of an Excel spoke Kit. It varies from model to model. Excel changed the spoke holes on the front rims to be universal (Applies to most Japanese bikes) so a front Yamaha will work on a front Honda, but sometimes you cannot use stock spokes because of the spoke hole diameter. The change was a necessary evil, as it reduced the amount of time it took to produce rims at the factory, reduced the amount of inventory dealers needed to stock and made it easier for customers to interchange front rims with other bikes. But sometimes it does require an additional purchase (Spoke Kit) to make the rim work.

Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc
mototrader
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mototrader 4/24/2013 9:43am
4/24/2013 9:43am
mototrader wrote:
Is there an excel rim that will work with stock spokes that will be strong enough for a averagely fast intermediate racer? The stock rims on...
Is there an excel rim that will work with stock spokes that will be strong enough for a averagely fast intermediate racer?

The stock rims on my CR250 were true'd and at the end of this season they were out of wack. Im not even that fast..nor am I big. maybe 170 in gear
RKExcel wrote:
I would need to know the year of the CR250 to look up the information for you. But I must say that most of our Honda...
I would need to know the year of the CR250 to look up the information for you.

But I must say that most of our Honda aftermarket Excel rims require the use of an Excel spoke Kit. It varies from model to model. Excel changed the spoke holes on the front rims to be universal (Applies to most Japanese bikes) so a front Yamaha will work on a front Honda, but sometimes you cannot use stock spokes because of the spoke hole diameter. The change was a necessary evil, as it reduced the amount of time it took to produce rims at the factory, reduced the amount of inventory dealers needed to stock and made it easier for customers to interchange front rims with other bikes. But sometimes it does require an additional purchase (Spoke Kit) to make the rim work.

Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc
Thanks, 2002-2007 CR125/250

Will the over size spokes work with the OEM hubs?
RKExcel
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RKExcel 4/24/2013 10:01am
4/24/2013 10:01am
For the 2002-2007 CR125/250 if you're using an aftermarket Excel front rim part number IC_408 (Takasago) or IC_608 (A60), then you have to use the Excel Spoke Kit. The rear you should be able to use stock spokes, but I'd need you to be more specific on the model/year.

Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc

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DrSweden
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DrSweden 4/24/2013 10:20am
4/24/2013 10:20am
Impressive feedback. Karma! Smile

Don't want to be on high horses here, but I think we shouldn't stress Farrah with more questions? I figure she has work to do and a life as well! Smile

Maybe that came out wrong? Blush
RKExcel
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RKExcel 4/24/2013 10:26am
4/24/2013 10:26am
DrSweden wrote:
Impressive feedback. Karma! :) Don't want to be on high horses here, but I think we shouldn't stress Farrah with more questions? I figure she has...
Impressive feedback. Karma! Smile

Don't want to be on high horses here, but I think we shouldn't stress Farrah with more questions? I figure she has work to do and a life as well! Smile

Maybe that came out wrong? Blush
HAHA No worries.
I'm happy to answer questions.

Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc
DrSweden
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DrSweden 4/24/2013 10:50am
4/24/2013 10:50am
RKExcel wrote:
HAHA No worries.
I'm happy to answer questions.

Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc
Cool
petie11o5
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petie11o5 4/24/2013 11:00am
4/24/2013 11:00am
Cool post. Good to see the manufacturer and customer talking about issues and the causes. Props to EXCEL for the response. I have some Excels on my bike that have been through some major abuse and are holding up great.
DrSweden
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DrSweden 5/2/2013 3:50pm
5/2/2013 3:50pm
RKExcel wrote:
HAHA No worries.
I'm happy to answer questions.

Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc
Sorry, but I'm now forced to take your word for it! And I'm the one that said we shouldn't stress you. Sorry to you and the others.

I just discovered 30 mins ago my rear Excel pro series hub (about 2008 or so) seems twisted? Both the brake rotor carrier and the sprocket carrier are wobbling when I spinn the wheel mounted, the sprocket side is worth, has about 5 mm movement. When I put the on the rear wheel on the rear axle mounted in a vice, I see the complete face (where the carrier is to be fitted) going up and down, also the ring/distance that meets the bearing is moving, putting some stress on the rear axle. I though it was the carriers that were damaged, but it's actually the hub?

I have newer heard of a hub being twisted, and these are build for strengt. Could it be the bearing no being firmly seated?

Has anyone seen this?
RKExcel
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RKExcel 5/2/2013 4:02pm
5/2/2013 4:02pm
RKExcel wrote:
HAHA No worries.
I'm happy to answer questions.

Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc
DrSweden wrote:
Sorry, but I'm now forced to take your word for it! And I'm the one that said we shouldn't stress you. Sorry to you and the...
Sorry, but I'm now forced to take your word for it! And I'm the one that said we shouldn't stress you. Sorry to you and the others.

I just discovered 30 mins ago my rear Excel pro series hub (about 2008 or so) seems twisted? Both the brake rotor carrier and the sprocket carrier are wobbling when I spinn the wheel mounted, the sprocket side is worth, has about 5 mm movement. When I put the on the rear wheel on the rear axle mounted in a vice, I see the complete face (where the carrier is to be fitted) going up and down, also the ring/distance that meets the bearing is moving, putting some stress on the rear axle. I though it was the carriers that were damaged, but it's actually the hub?

I have newer heard of a hub being twisted, and these are build for strengt. Could it be the bearing no being firmly seated?

Has anyone seen this?
Dr. Sweden,
There can be many reasons for this. From bearings that aren't seated properly to worn spacers etc. I would contact us directly at 760-732-3161 and talk to Gary Kies or Mike Holt. We need much more detailed information that would be much easier to get directly over the phone.
Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc.
Thelen20
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Thelen20 5/2/2013 4:40pm
5/2/2013 4:40pm
I have excel A60's on both my crf's. They are bullet proof! If I ever have to buy another rim, I will only buy A60's
DrSweden
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DrSweden 5/3/2013 4:56am
5/3/2013 4:56am
RKExcel wrote:
Dr. Sweden, There can be many reasons for this. From bearings that aren't seated properly to worn spacers etc. I would contact us directly at 760-732-3161...
Dr. Sweden,
There can be many reasons for this. From bearings that aren't seated properly to worn spacers etc. I would contact us directly at 760-732-3161 and talk to Gary Kies or Mike Holt. We need much more detailed information that would be much easier to get directly over the phone.
Cheers
Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc.
Tnx! I will do so.

Cheers Marc
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Suns_PSD 5/3/2013 6:47am
5/3/2013 6:47am
RKExcel wrote:
It happens more often than you think and not just in our industry. Think about your vehicle. Are the Bridgestone or Firestone or whatever brand tires...
It happens more often than you think and not just in our industry. Think about your vehicle. Are the Bridgestone or Firestone or whatever brand tires that come on your brand new SUV the best quality? Probably not. They're probably a middle grade tire designed to be cost effective for the OE. OE's are trying to keep costs down but still provide a quality product. It's the same with motorcycle OE's.

Cheers

Farrah Bauer
Marketing & Advertising Manager
RK Excel America Inc
I sell 18 wheelers and it's the opposite in my industry, at least when Paccar is the manufacturer.

All new tires are tested for roundness, runout, and balance and are rated. The highest grade is offered exclusively on brand new equipment. the lower grades get sold thru the usual retail outlets.
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yak651 5/3/2013 7:44am
5/3/2013 7:44am
The stock excels on my '12 KTM flat spotted under 2 hours use with no obvious cause, KTM actually warrantied them and gave me new rims.

With automobiles, it seems like OEM batteries and tires last a lot longer than aftermarket. Seems I can get 50-60k out of a set of OEM tires, soon as I go to compareably rated aftermarket tires I'm only getting 30k miles. OEM batteries last 6-7 years, get a replacement battery and you start going thru them every 2 years or so.
LWC307
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LWC307 4/17/2016 2:13am
4/17/2016 2:13am
Can any anyone tell me if the Excel rims that Buchanans sell are the 'good strong' versions and not the same as the OE rims? Also are the red logos on the sides just printed on top with ink/paint and can be removed with paint stripper which should not effect the clear annodizing?
Mini Elsinore
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Mini Elsinore 4/17/2016 8:20am
4/17/2016 8:20am
Damn, this has turned into an educational thread with an outstanding response from the company!
This is Vital at its absolute best! Cheers to Farrah for the quick response and info!

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