From my experience, trying to make sportbike wheels fit usually costs just as much as a decent set of SM wheels, but they are twice the hassle trying to make them fit. And you end up with a wheel that isn't as strong as a regular SM spoked wheel. However, if you have the wheels and the resources to make it work...badguy wrote:Nice!
If I had the money for some real sumo wheels I'd do it, but since I have a spare front SV wheel (which supposedly fits in the DR forks pretty easily) I want to try to make something work for the rear one of these days...
The Warp 9's are a great way to go on a budget. If you are patient, you can find good deals on used wheels too.
Also... ... a good set of dual sport tires on your stock rims will allow you to do 90% of what a set of SM wheels will do. My personal favorites are Bridgestone Trail Wings. They can be had at a reasonable price and they are awesome, grip wise, on the pavement.
I did an "SM" weekend on the NC/TN border (moto heaven) a few years back, and it ended up being me on SM wheels and my 2 buddies on stock DS wheels with Trail Wings. They were dragging pegs and toes and knees as much or more than me. We switched bikes and I had no problem on the TW equipped bikes. That is the cheapest way to go SM until you can afford a "proper" set of SM wheels IMO.
I have also done plenty of pavement riding on knobbies. It is not good for the life of the knobbies, and the outright performance on knobbies is lower. But... ... you can have an awesome amount of fun on them sliding into the turns and lighting them up on the exit; some of the funnest riding I have done!