spoke strength tusk vs oem (my yz250 project)

adam8781
Profile picture for user adam8781
Posts
670
Joined
12/22/2015
Location
CA
adam8781
Hey vital guys, building a wheel set for my yz project, i should really start a build thread this thing is getting bonkers.

i picked up a set of used tusk complete wheels from a 2017 yzf and hubs that fit my bike, im running the 09 yzf rear end so the bigger axle fits the 17 hub zero issues. and the front hub i just need a different bearing and spacer kit and the front hub fits my 15 yz250 forks.

i have tusk hubs front and rear, oem spokes front and rear tusk spokes front and rear, i hard anodized the black oem rims front and rear, have black excel takasagos front and rear. ill be using the real excels most likely.

whats stronger, the beefier thicker straight gauge tusk spokes (chinese made im sure) or the oem smaller thickness stepped diameter oem japanese made yamaha spokes?





|
red_leader
Profile picture for user red_leader
Posts
247
Joined
3/6/2018
Location
Redondo Beach, CA US
red_leader 2/12/2020 10:50pm
2/12/2020 10:50pm
The Tusk spokes are stronger, but the double butted (thinner in the middle) stock spokes are close to the same strength with much less weight.

If all you care about is strength, then go Tusk. but I'd run the lighter stock ones.
FiendzCC
Profile picture for user FiendzCC
Posts
316
Joined
9/12/2017
Location
Murrieta, CA US
FiendzCC 2/13/2020 12:20pm
2/13/2020 12:20pm Edited Date/Time 2/13/2020 2:20pm
OEM Yamaha spokes are some of the best spokes you can get. I would avoid Tusk spokes like the plague. And yes, your assumption is correct on where the Tusk spokes are made.

Edit: Please note that my response is based on my experience having sold literally thousands of sets of wheels in the last 12 years to customers of all skill levels, along with the spoke testing we have done with current pro Supercross and Off Road riders in the last 2 years. We are not an OEM dealer, so I'm not biased towards OEM Yamaha spokes, this is just what we have found to be the absolute strongest for guys that can break even the top aftermarket brands.
4
1
kb228
Profile picture for user kb228
Posts
6161
Joined
1/31/2018
Location
Mansfield, OH US
kb228 2/13/2020 12:24pm
2/13/2020 12:24pm
Ive got tusk spokes in the rear wheel of my kx450. Im about 300lbs and never had an issue with them over 2 years.

Theyre fat guy tested.
2
1
YZed250
Profile picture for user YZed250
Posts
1051
Joined
11/9/2014
Location
Costa Mesa, CA US
YZed250 2/13/2020 2:17pm
2/13/2020 2:17pm
Friend who races YZ250 on tusk wheels in the desert said it was a pain point for those wheels. I think he rebuilt them with Buchannan spokes. Light and fast young kid.

The Shop

See All »
mwilcox349
Profile picture for user mwilcox349
Posts
422
Joined
4/1/2015
Location
TX US
Fantasy
83rd
mwilcox349 2/13/2020 8:51pm
2/13/2020 8:51pm
I have a Tusk spoke kit laced to an A60 rear and have never had an issue with them at all. And for some reason I like to case jumps a lot. I would buy again and plan to.
Premix
Profile picture for user Premix
Posts
1514
Joined
1/5/2014
Location
AS US
Premix 2/14/2020 7:09am
2/14/2020 7:09am
The tusks spikes are garbage if you’re anything over a C rider. Nipples break constantly As cheap aluminum. Went through all this 3-4 years back. OEM spokes are cheap, bunchanon or excel spokes if you’re looking for anything other than OE.
1
F1prerun
Profile picture for user F1prerun
Posts
62
Joined
12/10/2014
Location
CA US
F1prerun 2/14/2020 7:47am
2/14/2020 7:47am
OEM are FORE SURE stronger than tusk. I have destroyed a couple sets of tusks
YZed250
Profile picture for user YZed250
Posts
1051
Joined
11/9/2014
Location
Costa Mesa, CA US
YZed250 2/14/2020 9:12am
2/14/2020 9:12am
mwilcox349 wrote:
I have a Tusk spoke kit laced to an A60 rear and have never had an issue with them at all. And for some reason I...
I have a Tusk spoke kit laced to an A60 rear and have never had an issue with them at all. And for some reason I like to case jumps a lot. I would buy again and plan to.
LaughingLaughing
I like to case jumps a lot
1
adam8781
Profile picture for user adam8781
Posts
670
Joined
12/22/2015
Location
CA
adam8781 2/14/2020 12:15pm
2/14/2020 12:15pm
deadly, thanks guys this is what i was leaning towards.


it'll be
tusk hubs
oem 15 yzf250 spokes polished up
gently used excel takasago front
new 2.15 excel takasago rear


Post a reply to: spoke strength tusk vs oem (my yz250 project)